So I thought i'd update this thread with some photos of some of the newbies!
They are in the process of introductions with my other 6 girls so I cannot take any 'introductory' photos of them and write about each one at the moment. (Which is just as well because the black girls look identical unless you can see their tummies so I might just avoid that entirely haha)
The method of introductions I am using (and will stick by forever) is the carrier method. You basically shove all the rats in a carrier until they sort their dominance out. Then you move them to a bigger cage (like a tiny hamster cage) and then when they have settled, move them again, to a slightly bigger cage. Eventually they will have sorted out their dominance and you can add toys and enrichment (they can get possessive over such things) and when they still all get along, then eventually you move them into their permanent cage. That it in a nutshell, but its a lot more complicated than that really.
If anyone is interested in reading more about this method, then the link is here:
The Carrier Method - Isamu Rats
This is them in their carrier all together at the first stage. We had no problems at all here, I left them in overnight (scatter fed them and attached 3 water bottles of course) and by morning they were all snuggled together!
The next stage, they were moved to a small cage. This is where they all kicked off, it was all Faye being horrible, but you just have to let them get over it. Never heard rats scream so much-the black girls are very troubled due to their past and as a result, are incredibly vocal! By dinner time though, they were all sleeping together and behaving nicely. So today they got moved into Hugo's old Alaska cage. They will stay in there for a few days and I will add enrichment gradually. If all goes well, hopefully I can setup half my big cage for them all!
Here are 4 of them all sat on the ladder when I first got them home.
This is the most vocal of all of them. I have named her Luna as she is so small, delicate and very pretty. She is going to take a lot of time to build a bond with, but I know i'll get somewhere with her. I am so excited to start working with her.
And I have also named this one, she is called Nova. She's a very pretty, hyperactive, curious little thing! Luna and Nova are the only ones that have names so far!
Robyn loves the biggest black hooded girl (she is so chunky) and here she is having a cuddle with her.
This is the bravest, biggest black girl.
This is the famous Faye who starts all the trouble. She's a nightmare! One hormonal moody lady! I love her so much though, she has so much character-even if she tries biting me haha
And here is poor old Erin wanting out of all this drama! She would prefer to be eating and sleeping rather than to be dealing with all these girls beating eachother up!