Cleaning cage around babies

Question
Hello, a very quick question -

Shirley, one of my rats, was rehomed to us while she was pregnant. We were not informed she had been housed with males prior to being transferred to us, and a week ago she became noticably pregnant. I had to take an emergency trip out of province, and my girlfriend was caring for her in the meantime. When I came back is when I discovered she was pregnant - she gave birth just today, in fact, to 11 little pups.

When will it be safe for me to clean her cage? She gave birth so quickly I didn't have a chance to move her into the birthing cage with the proper nestbox (she's set up camp in the little rathouse she was sharing with her cagemate, making a nest of paper and fluff I provided today) and I don't want to do the transfer now. Is it safe to leave her cagemate, Dorothy, with her? When and how can I give the cage a proper clean?

Thank you, and Happy New Year.

Answer
Provided Shirley is okay with you moving the babies, you're safe to clean the cage within 48 hours - but I like to let first-time Mom's settle in and relax before I disrupt their routine. She will tell you if she doesn't like you in the cage with them, and sometimes the way rats tell you is pretty painful!

Dorothy might be fine in there; but again, Shirley will make her feelings known. If Shirley begins to fight with Dorothy; separate them for their own well being.