mamarat2
Well-Known Member
Hiya all! Long time no see, I know I know!! I'm in need of some major ideas. Long story short, I recently took in a trio of agouti kids from someone local who was not able to work with them in any capacity and socialize them. They have pretty much only had a playtime every two weeks or so since December 09. Two bite and one though she does not bite if I corner her I can pet her. All are TERRIFIED of hands and being held, Shelagh my best word for these kids is feral though in truth they are not wild born. We have 2 girls and a boy, all spayed and neutered, brother and sisters.
I just got them yesterday. They are in a 695 Martins with lots of hidey spots so they feel comfortable and there is also a silent spinner in the cage. My first original goal was to get them out for a playtime today, though I realized last night that they are even terrified of the rustling noises the 10 rats next door make in the CN (that would be the resident herd) so hopefully just being in a room where there is ongoing "other rat" activity and people activity that will work towards desensitizing them to the normal noises of the household.
On to playtime issues which at this point is my main hurdle to cross, I need them out daily for playtimes as I know that will get me huge steps forward in them being used to me. Playtimes for these kids will be in the bathroom, it's ratproofed and nowhere to hide or get into where I can't reach. Can't take the whole 695 in there, beleive me pondered it; so I need a way to get them out into a carrier, box, clothe bag, etc to carry them 5 steps to bathroom. For only being 3 they are very pack oriented, my hand goes in and they scatter and reform as they run away. I have big cereal box in the cage to get them used to the idea of being in it in order to herd them all into the box and then pull it out with all of them in it for playtime, I'm not sure that is too feasilble just yet. Ideas?
I just got them yesterday. They are in a 695 Martins with lots of hidey spots so they feel comfortable and there is also a silent spinner in the cage. My first original goal was to get them out for a playtime today, though I realized last night that they are even terrified of the rustling noises the 10 rats next door make in the CN (that would be the resident herd) so hopefully just being in a room where there is ongoing "other rat" activity and people activity that will work towards desensitizing them to the normal noises of the household.
On to playtime issues which at this point is my main hurdle to cross, I need them out daily for playtimes as I know that will get me huge steps forward in them being used to me. Playtimes for these kids will be in the bathroom, it's ratproofed and nowhere to hide or get into where I can't reach. Can't take the whole 695 in there, beleive me pondered it; so I need a way to get them out into a carrier, box, clothe bag, etc to carry them 5 steps to bathroom. For only being 3 they are very pack oriented, my hand goes in and they scatter and reform as they run away. I have big cereal box in the cage to get them used to the idea of being in it in order to herd them all into the box and then pull it out with all of them in it for playtime, I'm not sure that is too feasilble just yet. Ideas?