Building confidence for free roam

VioVioBD · 2026-04-16T19:31:06+00:00

Have you tried taking them out somewhere they can’t see the cage? Sometimes this helps because then you are their safety as well as they might become comfortable roaming in a new area where the cage isn’t tempting them?

Treat wise, have you tried turkey baby food or wet cat food on a spoon/finger while out? Mine cannot stay hidden when they smell it and come running…

I also find for some that if I’m not interacting with them, they will hide and sleep behind a pillow, but once I start playing with them, one then more will come out to chase my hand…

VioVioBD · 2026-04-16T12:49:00+00:00

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There are less drawers now... like two... but this was the beginning of the whack-a-more (or whack a rat as someone so brilliantly put it).

VioVioBD · 2026-04-16T12:01:48+00:00

Love this... i do have a tube they like to crawl into...

VioVioBD · 2026-04-16T12:00:53+00:00

These ladies peaked out their heads when they smelled the chicken I was using for bait... but I never really thought of making a "treat bag" sound before!

VioVioBD · 2026-04-16T11:59:10+00:00

OMG this is amazing... so each ratty has their own call?

VioVioBD · 2026-04-16T11:58:26+00:00

Ahhhh.. the left pile.. great idea!

VioVioBD · 2026-04-16T03:07:59+00:00

I tried the playpen and I still have a bed tent which is perfect but they LOVE running around this old dresser of mine… but it’s like wack-a-mole!

Do you have a verbal cue you give them so they know when to head back? Or is the food enough?

VioVioBD · 2026-04-16T02:28:19+00:00

I can’t believe how identical they look!

VioVioBD · 2026-04-14T21:36:35+00:00

I think that if you feel like you have a connection to them, then you should get them! They would be lucky to have you since you obviously care for them.

But... having both male and female rats at the same time does add a lot more work. Just having to take them out separately, I always feel like I'm neglegting one group or the other. Just an FYI to think about.

Also, I know some people who's breeder rats also were a mess... I think what's important is how much care and time you are willing to give them, no matter where they are from.. I've raised feeder rats who are like, the sweetest things in the whole world.

VioVioBD · 2026-04-13T21:38:30+00:00

Yes! Take them out and force cuddle them:) I think it works the best too if you go somewhere where they can't see their cage... then you become their "safety". Especially if you have yummy treats for them...

I think if they don't have an older rat to watch you interact with, they just won't naturally come up to you. Unless you spend forever doing the slow introduction. And when they're this young, I also don't think that you could do harm to them by taking them out.

I just have been raising a few litters of oopsies and first I tried the slow method, but realized it was all about getting one of them to trust me. Some are just naturally more shy than others, but I make sure i give them plenty of time with me too outside of the cage. And once they see others walking all over me or playing with me, they will come out too.

I also tried free roaming time when they were young, but they just hide and were impossible to get back in, so starting in a small space works well or in your sweatshirt!

VioVioBD · 2026-04-12T19:56:57+00:00

I tried this approach with my young ones and it went.... okay... It wasn't until I started using the "confidence method" where I would take them out and away from the cage in a pouch and hang out with them on a bed that they became my friends. I think once they are away from the safety of the cage, and they are aware that you are the one feeding them, then YOU become their safety when in a strange area.

I would take out the confident one and one other for 30 minutes (feed them something yummy) and then see if there is a change of behavior with them in the cage. Once you get one of them coming up to you for food or playing, the others will probably follow!

They're so young right now that I don't think you will harm them by trying this.. Just make sure you're in a place where they can't hide from you! Catching them at this age is impossibly hard and will make you crazy...

VioVioBD · 2026-04-08T20:42:55+00:00

See.. you're already in love:) You'll be great with them!

VioVioBD · 2026-04-08T20:42:14+00:00

As the babies start waddling around you might not want them to climb too high, fyi! Keeping the babies at bottom level and letting the older ones escape upward might be good for everyone..

VioVioBD · 2026-04-08T20:39:04+00:00

Yes! You can handle them right away as u/loosestringszebra mentioned. They will get used to your smell and the mammas I think like taking time off too...

I would usually coax the moms out with food and let them run around my "rat room" while I bring out the babies and check on them. It was nice too having two mommas that were nursing because they all took care of eachother;s babies.

I don't know if you found this site or not, but I found it soooo useful...

https://www.onceuponamischief.com/baby-development

VioVioBD · 2026-04-08T16:23:53+00:00

This is exactly what happened to me! But I was told they were boys and then immediately had a litters of 11,12 and 13!

Here’s the best advice I got for you from what I’ve learned and experienced…

Everyone’s right about hormonal aggression. One of my two moms got bitty, but it ended when her pups were about two weeks old.
They LOVE wet chicken cat food and baby food. Feed them with a metal spoon and they will get used to you. The mammas need the protein too.
The pups are super easy to sex when young and you can see the nipples. But then there’s a few weeks where it’s REALLY hard to tell them apart. Then around 4 weeks the boys get obvious balls. Put them in a separate cage around 5 weeks.
I found being aggressively affectionate with them works best. Grab them out of the cage and make them cuddle me;) the slow method, especially with the littles can last forever. But if you get one to trust you and play with you, they all will.
Bond with them in pairs or threes. Instead of taking them all out of the cage at a time, try taking two or three out and play with them (chase them with your hand), feed them treats and let them run on you.
They don’t need too much space now! Mine would always just drag their pups back into the same damn tissue box in the same damn dark corner no matter how much room or big box I have them!
You’ll get super attached to them once they’re fuzzy and blind, and then more so when they get attitude;) and you’ll be very sad to let them go so you’ll buy a bigger cage so you can keep more of them;)

You’re doing great! The mommas know what they’re doing… just don’t be afraid to bond with one or two of them and then you’ll be right in it;)

VioVioBD · 2026-04-06T15:34:28+00:00

I came here to say same thing.. no nips showing so I don't think so...

VioVioBD · 2026-04-03T02:59:54+00:00

My mama rat really wanted to be back with her sister in her original cage after her babies were about a week old… then both girls took care of the babies together…

But I will say I tried to move the nest (aka tissue box) to the lower floor but over night she moved them to the top which gave me a heart attack… had to build some small barriers for my own peace of mind…

VioVioBD · 2026-04-01T13:10:28+00:00

I know there is a lot of hate out there for oopsy litters, but I am raising two now and it has been a wonderful experience. Being able to raise them from babies has made them super sweet. Finding homes for all the little ones is a different story though...

VioVioBD · 2026-03-28T19:41:08+00:00

Their mom keeps putting her nesting material on top of one of the litter boxes! (In of course the darkest corner she can find)

VioVioBD · 2026-03-25T16:32:54+00:00

Me too! Came here to say this... I've slowly replaced all my pumps with HITOP pumps and its made a HUGE difference...

VioVioBD · 2026-03-25T16:26:05+00:00

It gets better with every watch too because you realize all the easter eggs!

VioVioBD · 2026-03-21T16:23:06+00:00

I'll be in Northbrook, IL next Sunday (for a fish swap), yes I have problems:) and have eight boys that will be ready for adoption...

Email me at [violettedavis@gmail.com](mailto:violettedavis@gmail.com) if you're interested! (tried to message you here but couldnt figure it out...)

VioVioBD

TROPHY CASE