The Rat Lovers Club! V2

[darkvoodoo]

Those are some gorgeous itty bitty babies! ^.^

Yeah, I've always had this little nagging temptation to start breeding rats, or just try out a single litter and see what happens. I've had them ever since I was four, so I don't see why not, but I just know that sadly, most would probably end up as feeder rats an that scares me a whole lot.

If course, I wouldn't let them be feeder rats. I'd try and find homes for them, but the scary fact is that people where I live don't take to new ideas that much. Everyone I know thinks its really gross to own rats.

It'd be an added plus to be the only rat breeder in my state that doesn't breed many rodents and just for feeder rats. I'd be the only quality breeder. But I somehow feel I don't have enough experience. And I think personally that there are just so many rats anyways, that I don't really need to be cotributing to that growing number. ^.^

I think I'll stick with just being a trainer.

Im one of the only quality breeders in my state and Ive had people from a few other states come to adopt baby rats from me. Its not easy breeding rats, but seeing the joy on the new owners faces make it soo worth it. Rats are such amazing pets, but sadly many from petstores are riddled with bad lines, so they are basically ticking time bombs health wise.

[ShadiSin]

Leeeet's lighten everything with some cuteness.

This is Zinc, unsure of how to feel about being flipped and given a belly rub. I loves him.

And, his sister Maple.. nibbling on my blanket. Lol.

Melody my POTENTIALLY pregnant hairless. I took her in knowing the possibility of her being potent pregnant, I have a set up ready if she begins to show and my friend has back-up mums in case I need it. So far she's a total sweetheart and I could Not be happier with her. She's such a beautiful example for a hairless, big bright eyes and overall loving.

And last but not least, let's not forget Hugo onna pumpkin x3 Hugo is Zinc's papa.. can't tell much the way Zinc looks haha. Hugo was boggling half the time, and asleep the other time while on this pumpkin so this is sort of an inbetween shot.. hence his facial expression XD

I AM breeding again, but very minimal. I am working on one specific line at the moment (Hugo x Danish, breeding Zinc back to Danish --her LAST breeding-- and working with that which should produce bew, double blaze, blaze, possum face and variegated) and I could not be happier. If Mel is preggers, then it'll only depend what I get out of her. I know her lineage very well and they milk like jersey cows so nursing should not be a problem. I knew each of the males in with her.. we just don't know WHICH one got her. In a way I hope she is not pregnant, so that I can bred a mink off to her and get cinnamon bubs. We'll see. we'll see. And before anyone goes on about it, my friends mom accidentally put Mel in with the boys not checking them-- my friend had rearranged things so everyone was in a different area, hence the accident.

[resfeber]

Everyone has the cutest ratties ever! I'll have to show pictures of mine tomorrow, but right now they're all asleep. Maybe you guys can help me figure out their technical term colors. I chose to let Peter sleep with me today, since I'm at my father's house and they all love sleeping with me, but they all takes turns. XD My girls not too much, but my boys are just big fluff balls of love. :3 Peter is in the process of running up my shirt, then he just decides to settle in under my arm, then scurries back down me again. It tickles.

I don't think I've ever seen Ollie boggle. I mean, he bruxes a lot, but I've never seen him do his wacky little eye dance. All my other ratties do. I don't know why he doesn't. :(

I got my ratties a play pen today! It's like one of those dog pens that are made of mesh and it's really big. I'm excited, so now they can run like the maniacs they are and get away with it so I don't have to be on constant cat-watch. Of course, the cat loves the rats. I'm just worried the rats may bully the poor cat. XD

My cousin saved a baby mouse from drowning today. Well, not a baby, but not quite mature yet. She rang me up because apparently, I'm the crazy rodent lady now. I have no idea how to save a freaking mouse. cx I guess I'll be driving early up there to tomorrow to go check it out- ugh, but it's a long ways and I was sorta hoping I could stop by Waffle House after church to make my commute back to the other state more comfy. Bleh. ^.^

I told her just to release it. I mean, it'd probably be scared because of, well, being scooped up by giant human monsters and all. But no, it's perfectly content playing with a little ball that's in his cage. And it has a big head, in the video she sent me. She's going to release it after I make sure it's not dying or anything. She's just really paranoid and tender hearted about this kinda stuff. cx It's sorta sweet though.

Why am I yammering. Anyways, end talkativeness.

[ghftz.]

My brother's rats have been fighting. Any idea how to fix that?

[resfeber]

Has he properly socialized them? How long have the two been together?
If they have been out together in less than three months, then you souls try to re-socialize them. I'll explain that if that's what is is.
If they've been they're since babies, maybe they are just reaching maturity and basically ensuring what rat falls into which rank. My rule when I socialize a new rat is if there is no blood, it's okay. They usually fight to dominate each other and determine status.
You could also neuter both or one of them.

[rachaelandrats]

Pardon, but I have been breeding rats for a while now, until I stopped a year ago. I used to be a rat breeder.
I am going to start breeding, but only once this time.

I kind of know what you mean by blue, I am guessing his eyes are black but the "sides" are blue if that makes sense?

As for breeding, I'd really advise you didn't. Right now your boy needs company.... not in the future but now. He would really benifet from having another rattie around to play with / interact with in general.

If you get a girl to breed him with, they'll obviously have one litter, but then what? You'll have to keep them separate or they'll have constant litters and she'll be pregnant as soon as she's had the first litter. And once they're separated, what if they've become bonded and they start to miss eachother? What would your plan be then?

Maybe you'd plan on introducing baby boys to him at that stage, but by that point he's going to be older, and introductions are going to be harder. I really wish people would do what was best for their rats - by getting them the company they need and letting them just be happy in their groups without breeding them, and not what's best for them.

Sorry if I sound patronising or annoying, but this constant breeding for no apparent reason annoys me. Not just because I am very pro-rescue but because there's no apparent consideration for the fact rats have feelings / bonds with eachother too.

[ghftz.]

Has he properly socialized them? How long have the two been together?
If they have been out together in less than three months, then you souls try to re-socialize them. I'll explain that if that's what is is.
If they've been they're since babies, maybe they are just reaching maturity and basically ensuring what rat falls into which rank. My rule when I socialize a new rat is if there is no blood, it's okay. They usually fight to dominate each other and determine status.
You could also neuter both or one of them.

They've been together since March, although he's had one of them since December. They were young when he got them but not babies.
I don't really know what socializing is, though they got along fine for quite a while so I'd assume he figured it out. He's wondering how to re-socialize?
And if there is blood..? Neither is injured but one ended up with a some scabs from their first fight.

[rachaelandrats]

What age are both boys right now?

If they have been together since March then don't do anything like separating and re-introducing, it will make it a lot worse.

When boys get to a certain age they can go through quite a hormonal, territorial stage. Some people swear by getting them neutered (to remove the hormones) but I'm not the biggest fan of that, personally...

[resfeber]

Has he properly socialized them? How long have the two been together?
If they have been out together in less than three months, then you souls try to re-socialize them. I'll explain that if that's what is is.
If they've been they're since babies, maybe they are just reaching maturity and basically ensuring what rat falls into which rank. My rule when I socialize a new rat is if there is no blood, it's okay. They usually fight to dominate each other and determine status.
You could also neuter both or one of them.

They've been together since March, although he's had one of them since December. They were young when he got them but not babies.
I don't really know what socializing is, though they got along fine for quite a while so I'd assume he figured it out. He's wondering how to re-socialize?
And if there is blood..? Neither is injured but one ended up with a some scabs from their first fight.

They must be going through a hormonal stage, as Rachael said. If there are no further injuries, I really think you'll be fine by taking a few tiny precautionary measures. If they are only just reaching maturity, I think it is because of just getting to that age and wanting to establish dominance. The problem may also be that he didn't socialize them. I mean, males are pretty dominant and even if they got along fine at a young age, some just tend to turn on their cage-mates and then fights break out.

In my personal opinion, I'd watch and see if they fight any more. If it's just a little quarrel I'd ignore it. My males fight all the time, and they're brothers. If they keep fighting, then yes, I would socialize them. I don't mean seperating and re-introducing them, I simply mean taking it to step three of the process automatically and placing them in a neutral territory ( such as a bath tub or couch that neither have been on. my personal opinion is to go to the dollar store and get a mesh foldable play pen. they're around twenty dollars and after the socializing, it can still be used ouo ) and keep them there for a couple of hours. They probably will fight, and as long as there is no blood, they'll be fine. If your brother feels the fighting is too dangerous, then spray water at them and/or throw a towel over them and that should end the quarrel. Just never touch them while they're fighting or they might bite you on accident.

It is usually just a male dominance type thing that every buck goes through. After they establish dominance on neutral territory and fall into a pecking order, they should go back to normal. If not, I think your brother just has one of those rats that just don't like other ones. And it's okay. My rat Jack is an aggresive rat, and he's still loving and all, he just doesn't do well with other male rats.

As far as neutering goes, I do swear by it. I have one male neutered and he's amazing ( but so are my other sweethearts ^.^) Just be really sure that you have an experienced vet who specialized specifically in small rodent care and has done the procedure before succesfully.

[ghftz.]

One is about 7 months, the other is 10. (if i math'd properly anyway)
And thanks for all the info. He seems to have gotten some ideas from it.

And now he's noticed one of them is starting to get tiny red spots on him. He compared it to this, though said a bit milder.
Before assuming he has bugs, is there any possibility that this could be from the fighting?