The babies have their eyes open and are starting to wander around the cage.  This little guy is a black berkshire rex.

Socializing the babies.  Holding the babies daily is very important.  It teaches them to trust us and not be afraid.  I believe in handling the babies from birth.

*Tekfresh is a dried powder I put in my rats fresh food.  It helps with there health, coat, and over-all longevity. My rats love to lick it off my hands.  If you are interested in Tekfresh the link to Tekka Maki Rodentry were Tekfresh can be purchased is on my favorite links page.

The babies are 17-days old now.  Tonight I made them baby oatmeal, baby chicken, soy formula and mixed in a pinch or two of Tekfresh*.  It took them a little while to figure out what they were supposed to do with the food but once they did they were off and running through it literally.  They had a great time eating and then a great time grooming each other. Rats are very clean animals.  They constantly groom themselves and each other.