We have babies!

Aw, which one was it which is gone?
The latest our rats ever decided to de-runt a litter was 14 days...which was a bit upsetting, as it was very late and the runt was actually my favourite of the litter! :lol:
It's harder when you've had time t get used to them, but just remember that she's doing what she thinks is best and that you still have 6 lovely babies. ^_^

What sex are the unknowns, then? Bucks? (Trying to guess, since you said the one which is gone was slightly smaller and that's had to tell from the pics.)

Aww shame bout one dieing .I luv the little brown one lol :love1

sarahc said:

it either had something wrong with it or the mother is not coping with a large litter and has reduced the amount herself .If she was to kill the entire litter at 11 days old I would suspect her to be ill and unable to rear them.It would be unusual ,I should try and resist handling the babies to frequently.I just want to comment on the sexing.I'm not sure what's meant by a black spot on the bum meaning it's male,thats a new one on me.If there is a gap between the anus and the stump it is male,the stump will also be larger,if the stump is small and flat with virtually no space between it and the anus it's female.They can be sexed at birth with a bit of practice and a magnifying glass will help if you are struggling.

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Oh, the dark spot thing, to clarify. If the mouse has dark pigment, often the boys have a dark spot around their anus, and the girls don't. Or at least, mine do XD. But it could just be my freaky litter.

Sorry about your littlest . I still have twelve in my litter, and I have a horrible feeling the two smallest might go the same way... >>

Effy said:

Aw, which one was it which is gone?
The latest our rats ever decided to de-runt a litter was 14 days...which was a bit upsetting, as it was very late and the runt was actually my favourite of the litter! :lol:
It's harder when you've had time t get used to them, but just remember that she's doing what she thinks is best and that you still have 6 lovely babies. ^_^

What sex are the unknowns, then? Bucks? (Trying to guess, since you said the one which is gone was slightly smaller and that's had to tell from the pics.)

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I really hope this was just a case of her de-runting as you say and the others will be safe. They all look well at the moment. Sorry to hear about your ratty runt Its gutting, isnt it?

The lost baby was one of the unknowns, the black and white, although I had managed to sex her before she went and she was a doe. The remaining unknown is a buck, leaving us with 3 of each. Im especially worried about the broken buck now as he is similar size as the baby we lost...

the dark spot thing sounds dubious :!: .I have lost a puppy at 9 days old and one at 11 days old despite round the clock care from us ,the mother and help from the vets.Really distressing but nature I suppose, not everything thrives alas.

Yeah, youre right I just figured they were safe from the mum killing and eating them now, but obviously not, unless the baby died on its own first. So bit of a shock

the reason the mothers actually eat them and this includes gruesomely dogs and cats is so that their own resources are salvaged for them and their own species instead of a predator/enemy profiting from the fruit of their loins and therefore increasing enemy numbers.Makes sense really.

Going off topic ever so slightly...I just have to say that I hate how UNnatural humans are, we're quite disgusting with how we raise babies, really. All other animals look after themselves, make sure they have the number of babies they can cope with, eat everything they should do for nutrients etc-placenta included-and then actually RAISE them to maturity. We do nothing...we just pop them out, feed them unnatural food, throw away valuable sources of energy and then complain about the kids...before having [email protected][email protected]
I dislike humans. >____>

Anyhoo...back on topic...that was my favourite pup! Oh wells...I suppose them being unknowns was a bit of a sign in itself.

You know...you haven't taken new photos in a couple of days!
I'm not saying to...it's good you're leaving them to chill for a while, what with the pup and all...I'm just saying, it's odd. :lol:

I know what you mean about people,scourge of the planet but on the other hand when you see humans battling to rescue beached whales or clubbing together to help starving children it's very moving.Animals only help their own.alas lots of people seem to lack this humanity that should set us apart.Anyway update us on the babies,it's all been very nailbiting.

Im just popping in very quickly (were moving house today and will be offline for a while from now) to let you know the remaining 6 pups are doing fine this morning...Very unfortunate we have to move though, although its only down the road so well make it as quick and stress free as possible for them all. Im leaing well alone for a few days, the nanny mouse has pushed up a load of bedding etc against the nest and obviously they want some peace. Hopefully by the time were back online well have 6 lively open-eyed babies all thriving. I really hope. Sorry to say if thats the case I think theyll all be keepers :lol:

hi, sorry you lost your little one - when i used to breed i wouldn't sex them or get too attached before they were plenty old enough cos it happens a lot and can be sad

the rest are well cute tho

Well, we had a few more hiccups along the way, but we finally have 6 healthy and very active 4 week olds

OMG I love daisy!!! shes gorgeous!
They're all very cute! :love

They are adorable :love

Thanx Some are looking longhaired now, Ill have to take some more pics

They are lovely, well done. I'm likeing Daisy :love1

Thank you :love1 Everyone loves Daisy, shes a little star. I moved the boys out into their RUB bachelor pad today and they love it...I even found a little baby sized wheel in one of our tubs for them! Im really going to have to get my act together and be able to part with some of the babies in our next litter though