Well you know it has been a while-time for intros.

[hopefloats]

This is HUGE. Seriously, I think i should have my head examined for even thinking this is a good idea. Again I will have to redo the rat room to fit them in cages, which I dont know is even possible. they would have a majority of the rat room floor and total freedom to run in and out so I think that makes up for some.

I am still in the "thinking" process. I have Edgar and Eli who have bad hearts and Edgar did not do well with the intros today. I took him out of it early since he seemed stressed. He isnt a problem rat my anymeans but I dont want to stress him into death either.

All these rats are awesome for intros. Granted I am still learning the big group but from what I do know from the intros we have done, i removed all the bad devil beads.

I thought soy milk would be an awesome intro treat. Wrong answer, they made the biggest mess ever.

My group of 29 meets my group of 16- you do the math, it may cause mild heart attacks if i do it.

You can see my edgar, cant miss him he is the size of a house.

To many black hooded rats.

I cleaned 7 of the 8 sections of cages while they were in there so they were there for well over an hour. I am still in debate. I would like to let them just run the rat room freely, total free range rats would be awesome for them but I have to figure out living arrangements and how I can make it happen. It will required me to hardware cloth the bottoms of the cages so they cannot get under there some of the girls are still small so they cannot be on the floor. I could put the rexzillas in the top part of the fn, but they wont have access to the floor when going for out time so that is one of the biggest dilemas i have. Unless I can somehow open it all the way across but one is older style the other is newer.

 

[hopefloats]

Well the intros made my Edgar leave me. He has been stable heart wise but he was also looking rough lately. They all are since they are getting older on me againist my will. He has had such horrible breathing for so long it was hard to tell that it changed. He did bless me with a very peaceful passing but my heart is torn on finishing the intros or waiting till Pika and Eli pass. Both are looking old. I think I will continue and watch them and see how they cope with the changes. I can put them in briefly then put them in the room and wait to include them on the rat room floor.

I have some thinking to do. I need to mourn edgar right now and recover from the loss of my big boy.

 

[Asheka]

Oh hun :cuddle: I am so sorry about sweet Edgar. On a plus side, I am sure he enjoyed today even with a bit of stress over-all. Maybe meeting everyone was his final wish :heart:


I am so looking forward to Chad and I looking at houses after we move. The idea of a full rat room is so exciting, I can't explain. I don't know how you do it with such a large colony, but I :bow: to you for it all. Good luck and, of course, keep us updated.

 

[jorats]

I'm so sorry Peggy. The stress of the intros pushed Edgar closer to his next journey. He would have left you anyway at some point. We do our best for these little guys and they know it.

 

[hopefloats]

I dont think he had very many days left at all. Just sad but I am glad i was able to be there with him as he left me. I just have to decide what to do for the intros now.