New babies soon

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Zesana

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Sep 18, 2019
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Ok, so I will be eventually bringing home a few baby ratties. I've been watching a ton of videos on youtube. Reading through these forums and doing as much research as possible. My question is, how much stuff do you want in the cage for new babies? Like 6 week old babies?
There is also a chance that along with the 3 babies I originally planned, someone I know has a pregnant rat she is looking to rehome, and if I take that on, what type of things will her and her babies need in the cage?
 
There was a study once and showed that rats chose a cage full of stuff rather than an almost empty cage. I like to keep my cages visually entertaining, hammocks, boxes, tunnels, fabrics, wood toys, hanging toys. As for a mom and babies, a very basic cage so mom can concentrate on her babies, a box to hide in for her and her babies, lots of bedding shredded paper/cardboard. Maybe a hammock so mom can get away from babies from time to time for a break.
 
Thanks. It's not 100% sure if I will be getting the pregnant rat, her owner is still deciding on what she wants, I just want to be as prepared as possible .
 
Thanks. It's not 100% sure if I will be getting the pregnant rat, her owner is still deciding on what she wants, I just want to be as prepared as possible .
What would you do with all the babies? Litters are usually big, like 12. It can be overwhelming if you are new at this. But it's also an incredible experience.
 
What would you do with all the babies? Litters are usually big, like 12. It can be overwhelming if you are new at this. But it's also an incredible experience.

If I do end up taking in the pregnant rat, I will find her babies new homes and either keep her with one of her female pups or find her a home. I think the max amount of rats I would be able to comfortably fit in a double critter nation is 6, so if I keep her she will have at least one of her female pups with her, if not two.
I'm planning ahead since it's not 100% sure yet weather or not my friend will rehome. She is finding out about her living situation in probably a week.
I'm picking up the critter nation on the first if all goes well, then will go from there and get everything set up before any rats come home.
 
My only advice is that six rats in a critter nation can be stinky quickly if not properly cared for. Albeit I have seven adult male rats in a double critter nation cage, but I do have to clean their litterboxes twice a week, replace cardboard boxes twice a week, and check their fleece to see how much urine there is. If there's a lot on the fleece, I'll change it/wash it, but my boys typically pee in their litterboxes, so it's never that dirty.

Either way, I do a thorough clean-out once a week.

Also, I usually have one litterbox per two rats, along with two or two hides for every rat. It seems excessive, but it gives my boys the option of where they want to sleep or cuddle up for the day. I have five water bottles, a couple of water dishes, and four food bowls (along with a few extra treat bowls). So, keep in mind, that you have to get A LOT of supplies for five or more rats.

Am I recommending against getting six rats? No! I love my huge mischief. I just want to make sure you're prepared for all of those rats in one cage lol.
 
My only advice is that six rats in a critter nation can be stinky quickly if not properly cared for. Albeit I have seven adult male rats in a double critter nation cage, but I do have to clean their litterboxes twice a week, replace cardboard boxes twice a week, and check their fleece to see how much urine there is. If there's a lot on the fleece, I'll change it/wash it, but my boys typically pee in their litterboxes, so it's never that dirty.

Either way, I do a thorough clean-out once a week.

Also, I usually have one litterbox per two rats, along with two or two hides for every rat. It seems excessive, but it gives my boys the option of where they want to sleep or cuddle up for the day. I have five water bottles, a couple of water dishes, and four food bowls (along with a few extra treat bowls). So, keep in mind, that you have to get A LOT of supplies for five or more rats.

Am I recommending against getting six rats? No! I love my huge mischief. I just want to make sure you're prepared for all of those rats in one cage lol.

The cleaning doesn't worry me, I'm a little OCD so daily spot checks will happen. And I'm working on getting all the supplies together before I bring any home. 6 would be a lot, I have 3 boys I plan on, but after i agreed to those boys i found out my friend has a pregnant female she may need to rehome, so I'm preparing for that just in case. Ideally I will have just boys, at least 3. If she ends up needing to rehome her pregnant girl, I will handle that as well. I'm hoping to pick up a sewing machine for Christmas (black friday deals are always nice) and if so i can then make all sorts of fleece liners and hammocks which I'm excited for.
I do hope she doesn't need to rehome her female.
I originally wanted girls but the more research I did the more I think boys will fit in with my husband and my life better.
 
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