I'm Gettin A Baby!!!

[molucass]

No, you definitely cannot let the boys play with your girls.. Baby rats can get pregnant as young as 5 weeks old. That's why breeders have to seperate the babies before then, because the males will breed with their sisters, and even their mom if shes still in the cage with all of them.

About the toys, my girls like their hammock, tubes, boxes and igloos to hide in.. My girls also like the wooden bird toys that hang up, and have a bell on it.. They chew on it, and etc..

CongRATulations.

BTW, if you are looking for some good rat forums, I can recommend two.

http://www.goosemoose.com/rfc
http://www.ratpalace.com

[wolfsoul]

Congrats!

Molucass is right, you can't let them play at all. Mating can happen in as little as two seconds -- literally.

For toys and chews, my rats LOVE chicken bones. I always give them any bones that are left after I eat chicken, or turkey, or anything. You can also go to your local Petcetera, and they have a product called "Fortum Rawhide Honey Hearts." You can hang them up in their cage, and they will chew on them. I've never met a rat that didn't like them.

wanted two. I know to feed them those blocks (can't think of the name right now)

I think you mean lab blocks? Lab blocks actually aren't the best thing. I wouldn't let my rats eat them -- I have yet to find a brand that doesn't contain corn, as well as one that is low enough in protien for a rat. Rats should have below 16% protien, and I've seen some lab blocks go up to 26%! Much too high. Rats need low protien, otherwise they will get skin problems. It's much better to make your own food -- combine puffed wheat, pasta noodles, bran, soybeans, oatmeal, millet, wheat germ, bread, dog biscuits, lots of veggies; Stuff like that. I wouldn't trust the food you buy in most stores. If you feel like making their meals is time consuming, buy a low protien dog food and feed with veggies.

Good luck! I cant wait to see pictures. If you have any questions feel free to ask. There are a few other rat owners on PT and we can also answer your questions.