Then my cleaning shedule isn't too bad (every 3-4 days)? I have the ceiling fan on low in there in the day time and off at night. It basically moves the air around and through the cages (kinda lol)
Does the mom need any extra warmth while she has babies with her?

No, rats don't do well in heated conditions. They are best kept, at the highest, room temp, but obviously sometimes it can't be helped that the temp get slightly warmer or cooler. The fan circulating air is a good idea, however don't let the air get too dry, rats need moderate humidity, and things such as air conditioning and central heating can dry the air too much that it can cause respiratory problems.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Nope no AC allowed in the Rat room...I figured they would get too cold if I left the door open with the AC on. Besides,the dogs and cats can get in there if I leave the door open and I don't need to stress the rats out.

Can I feed the rats the stems and fruit peels that are left over from feeding the Iguana? I know to go slow with meats of the fruits and veggies but I didn't know about the stems and peels being fed to them.

I'm not sure about peels and stems.. best to feed them good quality fresh fruit and veg, along with meat, bread, and other bits of human food that are left over on your plate. Although rats are scavengers, so will eat pretty much everything! Remember what you feed your rats your snake will in effect be eating too. DO NOT feed male rats oranges or orange juice or peel - it can cause cancer from a hormone that male rats posess,. females can be fed oranges.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Thanks for all your help Bitis
I'll feed them the better parts of the veggies, just not the stems and the fruits of course. I knew about the oranges but thanks for the reminder
This is what I feed all the feeders:
Gerbil and Guinea pig food
A bit of Med size parrot food, it has dehydrated veggies and fruits in it (like for Sun conures)
A bit of Old Roy Dog Food for their protein.
And I change their water daily (with immatation vanilla drops in it for the smell )

I'll add bread and milk (2% ok?) to the Mommas food list but need to know how much is ok and what kind of bread ie: Wheat, White, Rye, Corn etc....
Anything else I need to feed her to make her pups nice and healthy?

And do I need to watch out for red dyes in EVERYTHING I feed the rats or is that just what I need to watch out for in the dog food (and make sure it doesn't have any).

You can tell me to shut up anytime now!
I'll pick your brain until I'm satified otherwise! LOL

LOL Pick away!

Regarding the red dye,. i believe that is just in certain dog foods. The commercialised food you are feeding is wrong,. you should not feed rats gerbil and guinea pig food, just as you should not feed chinchillas rabbit pellets. Each of these foods have been specifically designed for each individual species of animal, you should only be feeding a commercialised rat food. Unless the food says "suitable for all small rodents" or "suitable for gerbils, mice, rats etc".. we get a dry rat food. Same goes for the parrot food - not suitable for rats. Certain other foods are not good in high quantities - foods like chocolate and nuts. The milky bread - feed any type of bread you want. Obviously wholemeal bread is the best as it has had none of its nutrients removed, but you can feed any bread - white, brown, wholemeal.. i am generous with the foods I feed our rats, and for a mother rat who was feeding do not be tight with food. You can also toast the bread, which our rats really love, but for a feeding mother soak bread in milk to help with her milk supply. Also cheese is great for protein and fat, although do not feed too much. If you can put a cuttlefish bone in the cage for the rats to chew on, which will increase their calcium intake, however our rats often just pull it off the bars and throw it around in the sawdust, covering it in wee!

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

Ummmm ok I need to find a place that has rat food.....
PetCo didn't have it unless it was in the "bulk" bin and I didn't see it. Anything else they can eat in the meantime or can they finish the rest of this food up?
Another excuse to go shopping lol

We have 8 babies
Cute little wigglers too
Momma rat is such a good mom and that's a relief for me! lol
I had hubby pick up a few smaller bags of that Kaytee Rat food but the prices are unreal for that little bit! I'll be calling the Co-ops and feed stores to see if they have any or can order me some.
I called PetCo and they sell rat food in Bulk for 3.99 A POUND!!!! Forget that!! I'll find it somewhere else
Thanks again
Jem

Hey Jem, what type of Rat food are you looking for?

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!