Hi Tammy
Jan (whom I've conversed with for a few weeks now) sounds like she hit the nail on the head. My Rosabella gave birth exactly three weeks ago today and right now she seizes every chance she has to get out of the nest. She loves the babies, but now they are running around with their eyes open and she just can't take it. They keep trying to make her play when she is asleep. Also, she especially needs sleep right now because she has to support her babies' need for milk. Was she pushing bedding on top of the babies? Because that is just a way to keep them warm. Was she pushing a baby out of the nest? Because mothers continue nesting for a long time. You should try to give the mother back her baby. If she doesn't take it, take her out and put the baby in the nest with the rest of them. Rub the smell of the nest and the other babies on the baby and make all of them the same temperature. If you let the mother back in she should accept her baby. If she hasn't eaten it then that tells us the baby is healthy and warm enough.
How many babies are in the litter? if it's a big litter (over 12) then the baby might be a runt thats not getting a lot of milk; I call it nipple shortage. Kind of a blunt name, but it speaks for itself.
I'm sure she will accept the baby back. If not, there is a lot of information on the internet about baby rat orphan care.
Good luck. Keep all of us updated.
-Lila
