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[idoru99]

Hey,
I had a female rat give birth (12 pups) about 2 weeks ago. She was great, never left them, at the beginning. I expected to lose a couple, due to exposure or whatever, but I lost 5 after about a week or so. Well over the last 3 days, the rest of the litter has died.
For the 5 days prior to them all dying, I found the babies strewn around the tank, sometime wandering around, sometimes just sleeping.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had this happen. I know that some mother will leave their babies if a human has touched them, is it the same for rats? Anyone have any ideas why the mother would leave the babies? I've got a second litter from a second female right now and I'd like to not lose all of these as well.
I'll be honest, I've done a little research on the subject and I'm continuing, just haven't found anything about this yet. I'd appreciate any help and advice anyone is willing and able to give.

[Deedle]

I've never had that happen, normally when we bred rats the mother kept them in a pile, and we had a mother give birth to 15 rats, not a single one died of course it may of helped a bit 4 of them went to baby burms after the 2nd week.

Give her another try at breeding, sometimes they can be bad mothers their first time. If she does it again and you start losing babies you might as well feed them or kill them and freeze them for future feeders. And then consider getting your self a different female rat or TWO.

[deborahbroadus]

Have over a 100 rodents, give or take a litters ...3 females per male (first had 5 but they were stinking up the tubs too fast) I did have one Doe that killed off all her babies, so I dispatched her.

What I am learning is that some come with bad habits already and as you breed your own you wean out those with those bad habits. I would give her another try and if she did it again, I would dispatch her.

I have gotten mine used to my hands being in the tubs, I held some back and those have been used to my smell since birth. I take out babies without getting bitten..(and I am careful because I can't read their minds) but since the first foray into breeding rats and getting rid of those that snapped, attempted to snap, jumped out of the tub, or arched their backs at me...those left are used to me and I can touch their babies without worrying about if they will kill them later because they all grew up with my smell.

Guess what I am trying to say is: I agree with Deedle, I would give her one more chance, but it is going to take time for your collection to be where you want it to be.

[TAZMOM]

i agree try again. she'll probably do better the next time around.
as far as your scent on the babies. i've always touched mine and never had a problem with a mom rejecting them. i've even touched the babies as soon as 24 hours after birth in order to clean the cage. i have never been one to worry about it and so far it's been ok for me.
f.y.i. i have 3 females and 1 male breeder. and lots of offspiring who vary in age. about 50 in total right now.

[idoru99]

Thanks for all the responses. That female is back with the male for a week or so, gam giving her another try. My second female (also her first litter) seems to be doing ok. Of course, the first was doing well at this point too. We'll see.

So far, I've only got the two females and one male. I was planning on holdong back two females to keep 4 and 1. We'll see how the next few go.

I almost gave the last two to my male BP, but I figured Iwould leave them with the mother to see how she did. Next time, they'll be out of there and dinner, with a quickness, if it starts up again.

Thanks again. I appreciate the advice.