Breeding & Raising of Pups

 Long before the joy of raising baby rats comes the tedious task of pairing up the parents. Although there are many people who breed for pets, we are in the journey of breeding better pets. Better pets in the sense that with each generation comes further improvement toward our main goal: rats with excellent temperaments that live a healthy life.

 Typically we have a general plan for a rat starting from when they are only weeks old. As the pup grows we continually evaluate everything about that individual -- from his growth rate, to how he interacts with siblings or new rats, their interest in humans, how they handle new situations, everything about their type and conformation, etc. We do not invoke a checklist or number chart system for these evaluations, because we do not breed our rats according to a number score. We call them as we see them. If they reach adulthood and still meet our standards for all areas then we will be able to follow through with our original plan for them -- pairing them up with a partner that will compliment and further improve the next generation.
 
There is a difference in making pets for people versus
making better pets for people.

 Most of our rats' lines have been with our rattery for generations. When you have had a line for a period of time you get to experience everything about them firsthand. You get to see how each generation is in regards to their temperaments, long-term health, longevity and any quirks or tendencies that run in a line. This information is very useful and not always easy to document in a registry.

 After all the evaluating, researching and planning we will place a pair together when they are of an appropriate age. These are general guidelines, however we may make a few exceptions given certain situations.
  • No less than six months of age for either males or females
  • No later than twelve months of age for females for a first time litter
  • Males not of our breeding are usually bred after twelve months of age for proper evaluation after maturity
  • Females usually have just one litter in their lives, but there are rare occasions where two litters may be necessary
  We are very particular when it comes to the temperaments of either gender but we pay very close attention to the attitudes of males as they reach adulthood. We will not breed a male that pushes, shoves, instigates arguements, fights or draws blood from a cagemate. We have a zero tolerance policy for aggression. They will remain much-loved pets, but they will not be bred, regardless of their variety.  

 The Pregnancy & Birth
 Typically we will weigh the female before placing her with a male. This will be considered her base weight. Once the rats are placed together they will remain partners until we know a mating has taken. The female will be weighed regularly to monitor the progression of her pregnancy. If there is a significant weight gain within the first week we can then say that we know she is pregnant. If there is a sudden drop in weight during the second or third week we need to make note of that and monitor the female closely for any signs of distress. 

  About a week before birth, the female will have solitary time to build a nest and begin acquainting herself with the responsibilities she will soon have. Although she is given extra nutrition throughout the last three weeks, we give her even more during this time to build up her strength. Once the babies come and she starts lactating it may be awhile before she seperates herself from the babies to get a bite to eat.

 We try to 'time' the babies delivery dates on days we will be home around the clock. Mother nature doesn't always work in our favor but most of the time she has! I like to be around when the babies are born to be sure things are going smoothly, or to take the female to an emergency veterinarian if that is necessary.

 We always handle the babies and get a quick gender count within the first 24 hours. From here on out the babies are handled and played with several times a day to get them used to us and everything else they might encounter in their day-to-day lives. We photograph the pups very often during their development, as well. They are quite used to being 'camera stars'!

 From the time they are two weeks old our pups are offered a 'baby slurry' -- this meal consists of baby cereals, jarred baby foods, fruit juice, yogurt, wheat germ, and KMR supplement all blended together.

 Reservations of the pups can begin as early as 3 weeks of age. However, please understand that it takes awhile for the best pups to 'show themselves' at such a young age. It may take us longer than 3 weeks to choose our keepers.

 Pups are weaned between 4 and 5 weeks of age. At 5 weeks we remove the male pups and place them in their own cage. We like to make sure the pups acclimate well without mom, so our pups are not allowed to leave here until they are 6 weeks old.