Pinkies!!

Question
QUESTION: My rat Aspen just had her babies and i was wondering when would it be ok to start handling them and playing with them. Also, i need to go out of town in a few days and be gone for a couple days. I was planning to take the rats (we have 4) with me but i don't see how i can now. my mom is going to be out of town and i am going to visit my dad, we don't have anyone to come check on the rats because all of my freinds will be out of town for christmas too. would it be alright if i took the pinkies with me?

ANSWER: If MOM is ok with you handling the babies, go for it! Be very gentle and respectful though, and be aware that Aspen may not like you handling her kids so soon. Some mama's take longer than others to relax and realize you're not going to hurt their offspring.

How long will you be gone? To avoid stressing Mom and disrupting the pinkies, I would suggest feeding them tons and tons of food and giving them an extra-water bottle and letting her just be alone. Motherhood is stressful enough as it is, and an over-stressed mother can often lead to injured babies.

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QUESTION: She doesn't mind me being by them at all. I can pick her up and move her away from her babies to check on them and she doesn't mind. and at least twice a day i go in there and move her igloo to check on them and make sure they are all still alive. I've only had her for about 3 months now and she likes me way more then anyone else. I give her treats every day and usually she sleeps with me in bed but lately she hasn't cuz of her babies. But she is more comfortable around me then any one else that lives here.

I'm just scared that if i touch them to much they will die. and this is her first litter so i'm really worried. I am going to be gone for 4 or 5 days, i can leave her home by herself but she would be here for 3 days by herself until my mom comes home and i'm not comfortable with that. I would like to take her to keep an eye on her and the babies to make sure they are ok but i don't know if it will hurt them any.

Answer
The babies will not die just by you handling them. I handle my pinkies once a day provided Mom is okay with it, sometimes twice a day. Also, for future reference, I wouldn't let her sleep with you. Although its cute and a bonding experience, many things could happen, and I've seen people squish their rats without even realizing it. Just something to consider.

It would be MUCH better on the babies and Mom to be ALONE for 3 days rather than being put through the stress of travelling. I can't stress that enough. I'm sorry if you're not comfortable with it, but believe me - they'll be fine alone for a couple days. It would be much, much safer for the babies.