Thinking back, all those years ago, I know that mom and I never used any of these treats that are available now and we did so without issue. So, both Rebecca and I (of Rebecca's Sweet and Loving Rats who is the other breeder that I am working with) have made a few choices with our study, since we are trying to keep as soy free as possible. We are going all natural with the chews, so we are giving them pig ears to eat AND I even found the most awesome treat at Wal-Mart along the same lines, which is a pig skin stuffed with sweet potato (soy free). I got some wet cat food for my pregnant and nursing girls (a few of my own, a bunch of girls that came in through my rattery) to supplement their diets with. I also picked up some Boost protein drink, to use in place of Ensure for any rats I get that are sick that need it. I would rather expose them to small amounts of soy rather than risk their lives just to keep them soy free.
Everyone got a chicken and baby food supplement tonight, so that helps also with keeping them on a healthy diet as well. I have some yogurt and some broccoli for later on in the week and next week. Having 30 cages of rats is not easy to try to give supplements to, but I do what I can. Thankfully 7 of them are going into foster later this week with another almost 30 that have been reserved, so that will bring the numbers down considerably. Still have a bunch of litters to work with, but once the numbers thin a bit, it will seriously help with making time for that.
We have 1 girl and 4 boys left from the litter coing available on March 25th and have another litter that will be available on April 7th. Not counting the 4 older boys that I still need to find homes for. A pair of himi boys and 2 black hooded boys. I will be moving some dumbos, most likely, in with the 2 hooded boys to help increase their chances of adoption.
Sadly, we have 2 rats that we have to have put to sleep due to health issues. This is not a decision that we take lightly, but we would rather have them put to sleep than to let them suffer. They are both, slowly, dying and rather than then linger, we have made the decision to put them to sleep and let them pass on with some dignity and without prolonging their suffering.
This will also leave a blue hooded alone as well, so we will set him up with a cage mate as well before adopting him out.
I do know the litters of mine that we are expecting will be very pretty and should go fast, which is a good thing. All dumbo, the father to 2 of the litters is a black verigated split cap, while one mom is a tan solid and the other mom is a dove berkshire with a ribbon blaze. I am really looking forward to these litters and expecting them both to be large litters, since both have been on a soy free diet for some time now.
Well, I guess that is all for now. Wednesday I am doing a large transport down to Lebanon, so we are geting busier by the day. We get to load up the car tomorrow, mostly and then load up all of the rats on Wednesday, so we can get down there so we have time to visit as well.
Tami
Social Rats Adoption and Rescue
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