Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / November 2004

Boy do I ever have a major headache on my hands....  The youngest boys have
discovered that Ira is neutered and now they won't leave the poor old bloke
alone.  What makes it worse is that Ira won't defend himself.  He couldn't
go anywhere in the house last night for what Edward would be mounting him
and in turn Earl would be hanging off him and on and on and on.  I
considered putting Ira in a separate cage at night.  I did that but he
looked sooo miserable that I had to put him back.  He was no sooner in there
than the stroppy sex starved teenagers were at him again..:((  The only
answer we found was to block off the lower level and make it into complete
home for Ira.  I added a few of the older, quieter boys so he would have
company.  Peace reigned at last although the teenagers were frantically
trying to shift the concrete slab we had put over the hole.  This morning we
opened up the level again and we had no problems.  I am wondereing if this
is a nighttime behaviour that will be permanent or wether it is just a case
of amorous teenage males?  What is the consesus on this?  It isn't a problem
to block off the lower level just at night but I have to confess to being
appalled at their behaviour...:((  Hope all is well with the Ratties in your
life..:)

Regards Kate