Day 15

Today I gave Clair a cherry. I came back to the cage a little later and two of the little ones where licking and sucking on the fruit. They are getting a little big too be looking for milk from mom they soon will be ready to go home. March 11 is the big day, when Mom will be free!
Oh and the white one has opened his little pink peepers and now rumbles around the cage with the rest of the gang.

Day 14

They grew eyes!

Photo shoot with the babes who now all of them but one have opened their little peepers.
I have been in contact with two folks who want to take 4 of the little darlings off my hands. The Black and white one, the white one, and one of the black ones with be heading to a new home together here in Guelph. One of the other boys will be heading to a new home in Toronto and I have decided to keep the third black guy. That leave the little girl left. She is the one with the tan head.

in a bowl

in a glass

in a spoon

brothers in arms

Day 12

new less dangerous nest

Day 12

Took apart the epic nest yesterday, Cliar was not happy. but I think the little ones will be fine without their canopy nest. they are very furry now, but no eyes yet. Clair is still nursing, I can see that she is getting tired of it. March 11 is the day she can be free again!
I have posted ads on kijij and Freecycle to no avail. Next is to put up posters, hope to have them up for next week.

Day 10

Saved the little girl from a tangled mess Tonight. I had read about this happening in other rattie blogs and FAQs but really didn't think I could happen to me. I was layin in beddy watching the tube (the Simpsons: season 22) on the internest when desprete squeeks priceed the air. The little ones some times squeak alot if mum isn't being attentive enough but these squeaks seemed different. I went over to the cage and removed Clair so I could get into to see what all the hubbub was about. I reached in and pulled out the little girl who had tangled her self so tightly in the loose threads of the sweatshirt mum had shredded and furnished the nest with . She was frantically trying free herself but only succeeding in twisting futher into distress. I quickly cut her loose and she sat still in the palm of my had her little body shuttered from the trauma. I stoked her until she breath returned. She was no worse to ware but for her tiny ear was little red from the irritation of the tangle. I plan to clean the nest out and remove any more tangled traps the little ones could fall into.

Day 9

Today I took out the little ones for some snuggle time and discovered that one of the pink/white ones is actually a hooded champagne that means that she has a hood of light tan over her head and sholders and the rest of her body is white.... oh so pretty... will post pic of her soon. This was the coloring of my very first rat 'bill'.
Hanging out with Fred this evening while I transcribe minutes, he loves to chill in hoods i hope his kids like to too.

Day 8

I am trying to spend time with the little wigglers to get them used to being held and snuggled. In this picture you can see that ears are getting bigger and their fuzz is growing in. They don't make much noise when I hold them but they sure like to wiggle around and fight for who gets to be on the bottom of the pile.
If Clair is around when I have them out she will grab them up in her mouth and try to return them to the nest.... what a good mom.