I wouldn't put any rats in with the birthing moms or moms who are rearing babies...even if they were all together before...even just a day separate can cause the mothers to attack the intruder..even if they haven't given birth yet. IF separated for a couple hours should be fine to put them back together.

personally, I think the best way to breed rats is to keep them in small groups, 1:3 works best I think...and not separate females. They will often communally raise the babies, though this works best if all females have babies within a few days of each other. Females who are more than a week later in giving birth compared to the other females in the same box, her babies are more likely to die, as the larger babies of the other females can easily push the pinkies away from teats.. SO separating late pregnancy females from already nursing mothers would be best...and try to regroup them so litters are bore close together.

With a limitation of only 5 tubs...best to dedicate 3-4 of those tubs for breeding groups, and one for weaned rats to grow to the size you need. Be careful about weaning too young, if the baby isn't fully weaned...separating them from their mother could result in it not growing as fast or worse, slowly dehydrating and dying. I had this happen to several babies who I removed from the mother too soon...they weren't as old as i thought..and they just didn't grow at all...and within a week were dead. Keeping them with their mothers for that extra half week or so, ensures they are fully weaned and they often put on more weight too, so they are more robust and continue to grow well on solid food.
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PHLdyPayne

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