More Fancy Rats

[DumansArk]

MSD, I know you were thinking about Fancy Rats. I hope these tempt you into getting some =D (I know of a Harley breeder with Black Eyed Siamese and Burmese in Ogden, Utah for $10 each! Awwww! I wish we weren't so far away from Utah... maybe if we can talk an RVer into running critters all over the USA for us heh heh

Who else raises rats? I know Frosted's daughter owns a rat. I wish I could find a rat forum that was the rodent version of RabbitTalk. The fancy rat groups are just nuts. Imagine the AR Rabbit groups and you pretty much know how the rat groups go too. It's such a shame.

But onto the fun stuff. Here are some Black Eyed White (BEW) rats that popped up here!













Merle:










Merle marked Siamese:











Patched:




Velveteen Rex coats:




Mystery color:


Capped marking:



I really enjoy rats. Far more than I enjoyed mice (Mice have an AMAZING variety of colors and coat types - but that smell pheeeew...)

 

[3mina]

I miss my rats, when I moved back to Alberta I had to rehome them in Ontario.

 

[JessicaR]

awwww! they are so cute! I had a pet rat as a kid, he was white with a black head, He was so friendly I would love to get another rattie some day.

 

[Zab]

Pretty! Are they dumbos? (the low ears..I think we call them dumbos here..)

I used to have rats. Regular zoo store rats. They were sweet

 

[DumansArk]

3mina & Jessica; I hope you both get to enjoy pet rats once again someday =)

And Zab, you are correct! The droopy ears are Dumbos, and here we use the same term too.

I really enjoy them. In school my rats were used for study in genetics and in psychology and boy did I have fun with that! They mature & reproduce so quickly. "Breeding like rats" is almost as infamous a saying as "breeding like bunnies" ;D

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Hi Duman! Long time no see!

Oooh! They are adorable! I need some capped Velveteen Rex!

When I was a teen, I had a "capped" rat named Quitch. He was just a variation of a hooded rat, but had no markings on his body. My intent was to breed for it, but the project didn't get too far. Just think, I could have been a pioneer rat breeder!

So... how do you go about getting these exotic rats, fully intending to feed off your culls, if the fancy breeders are so wacky? I can't imagine there is a big enough pet market for them if you start a large breeding program.

I love your holiday pics with the candy corn. I'm surprised none of them ate any- that would have been a really cute photo.

 

[ladysown]

where does one find pretty rats like that in Ontario. THAT I could raise.

 

[DumansArk]

I am more of a Lurker than a Poster it seems ;D I visit Rabbittalk a few times a week, but I tell you; there are so many GOOD people here, that are on top of things and have solid, common-sense information. They hop right in to answer questions with insightful answers that leave me going, 'THAT WAS THE PERFECT ANSWER! AND THAT ONE TOO! WOW!" Answers are so good that I don't feel I have anything I could contribute to a conversation, But I sure enjoy reading posts!! =)

Yes MSD, you could have been a Pioneer Rat Breeder! It wasn't too long ago that there were only three colors in rats: agouti brown, black, and albino. Now there is blue and burmese and siamese and you name it. As for marking & patterns, same story - patched and pointed and roan and "down-under" genes. The coolest variations have happened in the last 10 or 15 years. What changed? People started noticing and breeding for what was different. Originally, breeders raised rats on a large scale as you mentioned, showed the best, bred them and fed off their culls. But a few years ago, suddenly the attitude shifted. Culling is a HUGE no-no, rats aren't "sold" they are "adopted" out (with contracts and... you know? Can I link to Homesteading here? This post sums it up perfectly: http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/livest ... eders.html )

At any rate, there are a few breeders who would love to have someone as kind as you & Ladysown raising their line of rats - unfortunately, it would probably be a heck of a drive to any breeder willing to work with you. Until a few years ago, I found all my rats through feeder breeders & pet stores (which is kind of like the same source, really).

If either of you ever make it this way, shoot me a PM I have some Astrex you might be interested in too *grins*

__________ Thu Nov 21, 2013 7:56 pm __________

MSD does the Inland Empire mean anything to you? I'd never heard of it before but apparently it's in California

I just tripped across this site and their adoption form didn't look bad at all. Juuust in case you are interested
http://cocosrattery.weebly.com/<br /><br />__________ Thu Nov 21, 2013 7:56 pm __________<br /><br />And Ladysown, do you ever travel to New York?

 

[ladysown]

I've never been... perhaps I should figure out a reason to go there.

 

[Northwinds Rabbitry]

I have collected a good few rats aswelland I looooove em lol.
Really neat colors and fur!!!!

 

[ladysown]

I just made the mistake of just showing them to my eight year old....

Merle and patches are HUGE hit.

Hubby told me to send you a PM.

 

[JDWest]

I adore rats! I married a man who is allergic to them though. Plus, you can't have them in Alberta *cry*
My favorite rat was named Bart. He was my best friend and like a true love!! I loved him dearly and he loved me. He was rarely caged and was always with me. He lived to be 4 years old! Died of old age in my arms. After him, i couldnt find another rat that compared, so gave up trying. I've never had an animal that was as kindred to me since. I'm really lucky to have had such a deep friendship such as that!

 

[dayna]

I miss having rats. They were so much fun! My favorite rat was a "sticky trap" rat. I kid you not. I was in the mall and saw this little baby grey rat stuck to one of those sticky traps. Having had pet rats before, I grabbed it up and shoved it under my coat. hehe

I took it home and worked the sticky off with olive oil. Then gave the darling a bath in dawn to remove some of the oil, then re oiled the feet where skin was missing from the sticky. Sigh.

She loved me from the first time she saw me. I named her Sally. She was a wild wharf rat, but didn't struggle and was so good while I was getting that stuff off her. I carried her everywhere with the next couple days to forge that bond.

She would jump from my lap to the coffee table (a good couple feet) for treats and then back again.

She lived a good three years and then passed away suddenly. I miss that rat!

 

[DumansArk]

Ladysown, I am so glad your son & husband like the idea of rats too! Aww!! If I ever get up to Michigan or NY again by car, I will shoot you a PM just in case we can work any transport out! =)

JDWest, boy, I have heard about Alberta's No Rats! The fancy rat community bubbles up every time someone is moving and realizes they can't take their rats there - that would be so sad.
I am glad you got to enjoy Bart. They really can be just the coolest little critters.

Dayna, you are a BRAVE woman =D !!

 

[dayna]

Not brave. That rat was terrified. Turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. lol

 

[luvabunny]

I just got a couple of baby rats. I've had some before, but blamed some allergy problems on them I don't believe were actually them.
I'm very disappointed tho. The rats are great, very pretty, just your average pet store rat, but they are sneezing, to the point they act uncomfortable.
I'm considering taking them back, but I know it's contagious, but I've only had them a couple days, but they will probably just kill them, my online research says every rat in the world carries this virus. I'm so uncertain as to what I should do next.

I know there is no cure. Is there a way to make them more comfortable? A food that would help? Vitamins in the water? Also, they are very skittish. I don't want to feed them by hand, but is there a good way to bond with them? Both can be held, but would just as soon jump off and run away.

Dumans Ark, you have some beautiful rats. I've never seen those colors, nor the rex fur. It was really your post that made me go get a couple more and give it another try. Thanks!

 

[dayna]

Luvabunny, I'm allergic to rat pee. That could be your allergy. If I kept the rats washed and the bedding clean it was much less. When I dealt with older rats that were rehomes/rescues I had serious allergic reactions till they were bathed and cleaned up.

As far as the sneezing, maybe try a rodent antibiotic if it's not a virus? Like the hamster wet tail anti biotic? I dont' know, just reaching for straws here.

 

[AprilW]

Your rats are beautiful! I love rats but the only place near me to acquire them is pet shops and all they have is boring hooded black. I would love it to find "pretty" rats, I'd probably start raising them myself.

 

[DumansArk]

Awww, I am so sorry Luvabunny What a shame that you went out to give them another go yet ran into this!! For years, I struggled with the same issue with pet store rats - NOT ALL pet stores have poor health in their rat lines, but it's probably safe to say that most do

I have read that depending on what they have (like an Upper Resp. Infection) some meds (Baytril is one) can be prescribed to make the comfortable. As you've found with your research, it may help mask the symptoms but they are likely to struggle with it from time to time through out their life

I can't tell you what to do, it's such a hard situation. I can tell you what I would do, but it isn't for me to decide.

I have worked with sick rats, with skittish rats, and it's just one of those things in life; it could go either way. It's like rabbits. There are lines that have really mellow, sweet buns, and there are other lines that... don't.

HERE IS SOME CONTROVERSIAL JUICY ADVICE about taming:
AR people swear rats must be in large groups to be truly happy. But like Dayna, I (and others) have found that some rats need one-on-one. It helps right when you get them, to ride with you for days. Just you, just them. It can just work wonders. Stuffing them under your hoodie (I know, it sounds crazy) and keeping them in the crook of your arm (I don't care much for rats at my neck all the time - when you thought you had allergies, was it because of red nail-scratch welts or sneezing? Their hair & dander is almost a cross between a bird and a cat, and like Dayna mentioned, that urine can give people problems. SO you might not have been wrong at all.) is where I liked them best, you can keep good track of them.
I used to break mine up for taming sessions, then put them all together again when everyone was people-friendly.

To AprilW:
Thanks to the deterioration of the rat fancy (there is weird fracture; the AR minded *breeders, and the Common Sense breeders. Guess which type is the loudest & growing the fastest?) it is really hard to get ahold of colors, coat types, or just plain nice rats in health & mind. What a shame; it is no way to grow interest in the fancy. I used to be in Luvabunny's position and it's disheartening.

I love to help people get started raising these fun little pets. And now that my family no longer raises them, I MISS, just good ol-fashion MISS talking & sharing about them. So if transport ever works out maybe I can help you get your start in raising "pretty" rats! =D

 

[luvabunny]

I'm not really sure about the allergy. I don't have it at all (at this point) unless the rats touch me specifically. If I handle them with long sleeved shirts and keep them off my neck and away from my face, I'm OK. I do think their little sharp claws and possibly rat pee may have something to do with it.
I was breaking out around my neck without even handling them, back when, but I've had several episodes of swelling and breakouts when I didn't even have rats. Been tested. Supposedly the only thing I'm even mildly allergic to are sesame seeds. Go figure.

I watched the cage the rats were in at the store and didn't see ANYONE rubbing noses or sneezing. I made them open the cage and listened carefully, still no sneezing. I picked them up and held them at the store for a few moments and still nothing. However, as soon as I get them home and out of the box, the sneezing/snorting/snuffling is almost non stop. One of them even acts like she's breathing thru her mouth, like she's licking a water bottle all the time. This mostly only goes on while I'm holding them. I've watched them quite a bit in the cage and don't see such actions. Maybe they are allergic to ME!

I hate to take them back. If they had it from the store, the rest already have it too, but I dislike handling them with the constant sneezing. No snot. Dry eyes. Good appetite. Good poops. Just sneezing.

They are very pretty rats. Both are a chocolatey color. One has more color than the other. Their fur is very different tho. The one with the most color is quite soft, and the one with the prettiest coloring is very coarse. They aren't tame enough yet to hold with one hand and snap a pic with the other, but we're working on it.

I have a long weekend coming up. I think I'm going to try working with them more, and give them a shot. At best, they tame down, become more handleable and stop sneezing. At worst, I break out again and they have to go. Either is possibly a better fate than they would have had at the pet store. Maybe soon, I can post pictures.
May I ask how you got the colors, and the rex fur, in the first place? The gene has to be there somewhere to even get the sport. They have little calico hamsters now. Wouldn't it be cool to have a calico rat?