The 4 week pups dont' look all that healthy either, rather small compared to the 4 week old pups I have in my colony right now.

Why do you think your colony is parasite free? Do you have them checked by a vet regularly? It would be a good idea to bring those pups to a vet specializing in small mammals and see if there is some sort of virus killing them off or parasites or genetic issue.

It is possible genetics from constant inbreeding coming into play but no way to really tell just from the pictures.

The pine shavings you are using seem very fine compared to pine shavings I have seen (though currently I use aspen shavings) but unless the pine has a really extra strong smell lately I don't think it is causing the problem. I have only heard of cedar and pine causing a shortening of life span, not early pup deaths. Since you rotate your adults every 6 months of breeding and its not the adults who are dying, I don't think the pine has anything to do with it either.

At this point I think spending a little money and taking the rat pups to a vet is your best bet. You certainly don't have to tell him you are breeding the rats as food for snakes, you just can tell him the pups are dying off for no apparent reason (bringing the mom of the pups too may be necessary)
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PHLdyPayne

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