Frequently Asked Questions
These questions can all be found under our Helpful links, the questions below are something we recommend asking any breeder. A good breeder will never refuse to answer any and all questions.
- Q: How many animals do you have?
- A: I have quite a few pets that are not rats, which include but not exclusive to Dogs, cats, other rodents and reptiles. I pride myself on my animals care and enjoy the responsibility of them. Animals also help me create a routine which is helpful in the cooler months to keep me active!
- Q: Do all animals get handled regularly?
- A: Yes, I handle all our rats daily. Even when I have new litters they are handled daily twice a day, this is after giving the mother 2 hours after birth as I don't wish to brother her in any way after such a stressful time. Without handling my rats I would have no idea the temperaments they have, but since I strive for the best tempered rats I insure this by taking the time to bond with the fur babies.
- Q: Are all animals provided with time out of their cage regularly?
- A: Again, Yes. I often give the rats about an hour or 2 a day out, I do this while cleaning, working or just to hang out with them. Seeing as my work room is also the rat room I often leave the doors open to have them hang out with myself and the family.
- Q: What kind of housing do you provide your animals with?
- A: Most of my rats are held in Double Critter Nation cages, if a rat is sick or has a litter I keep them in a single level cage. While a mum has a litter the single Level cage insures no falls from the babies, I find most of the babies still hang onto mum after she tries to walk away! For sick rats I hold them also in a single level cage, this is to insure no more health issues arise and make sure that they are safe while they recover. Our single level cages are a few different brands depending on the size we need to be using, we use Super Pet or large no name guinea pig cages.
- Q: What variety of litter and bedding do you use?
- A: We don't just stick to one brand of anything, for litter we use Yesterday's News. As for Bedding, we are using Kiln Dried Aspen. In some baskets we use Clean and Cozy scented bedding, also some times add fleece scraps.
- Q: How often are they cleaned out? What is your husbandry routine?
- A: I clean our all our cages every week, and our large critter nations are washed every 2 weeks. Unless I am sick or have unseen issues I like to stick with this cleaning routine as it keeps any unwanted or over powering smell away. When I clean I also Wash out our cages using Vinegar and water, change hammocks, washing all plastics and extras.
- Q: Are they kept in a suitable environment? (e.g. within the home, within a heated outbuilding).
- A: I have my rats in the basement, in the winter it is heated and in the summer it has A.C. I also offer hot and cold spots depending on the season.
- Q: What diet do you feed them? (Dry and Fresh)
- A: I use a mix of things, this is found to be the best way to keep a balanced diet. I use Lab Blocks from Teklad Labs as this is he best suited food for my needs. I also give fresh food, fruits or veggies each day or as often as I can get them on hand.
- Q: How healthy in general are the rats you breed?
- A: As of Feb 2016, we had one documented case of cancer in a line that has been retired. Cancer occurred in a female at the age of 4 years old, this female was put to sleep. All pet rats have Mycoplasma which can often cause URI's (Upper Respiratory Infections or Flare Up's). I insure my rats are happy and healthy, any rats deemed unacceptable to be adopted I keep as pets here, however this has never happen with any of my litters.
- Q: Are there any problems in your lines that might affect rats we have from you?
- A: The only problem any one would have with my rats after being adopted would be the Mycoplasma, I insure all my adopters are aware of this and are able to treat it even without vet care. I always tell the clients that all rats are born with this, and sadly it is only treatable and not curable. I also express that cancer can show up in any rat or animal for that matter and no matter how well you know lines you can always get cancer or unseen health issues.
- Q: What is the general temperament of the rats you breed? How many have you had to have neutered due to poor temperament?
- A: The temperament of ALL my rats are great, I have never had any issues with any rats breed by me. I have never had to neuter any of my own rats, and my clients have never had to either. I do however recommend that spaying females will help with the cancer risks.
- Q: Will you provide ongoing support if I need it? What will happen if I can no longer keep a rat bought from you - will you take the rat back?
- A: Yes, 100% I will give you ongoing support for the life of your rat. I often ask for monthly updates, I want to insure my rats have the best home for their whole life. In my contract I do state I must get back my lines or at least inform my on who is taking them as I must keep the lines recorded and also transfer the ownerships of the rat or rats.
- Q: When you breed a litter, where are the babies housed?
- A: When I am expecting a litter I place the mother in a single level cage about a week before she is due, this keeps the babies safely away from the bars and inside the cage at all times. They stay in the cage with the mother for about 3 weeks, on the 4th week I start to wean the babies by taking her out of the cage for a an hour at a time. At 5 weeks I take the mum out all together and leave the babies in the cage till the age of 6 weeks, I try to insure all babies are adopted or ready to be adopted at that age but if they need to be kept for a while longer I separate them into groups based on sex.
- Q: How often are the babies handled and from what age?
- A: I handle the babies 2-3 hours after birth, I start this early as its a key part to insure all babies are healthy and developing correctly. I also continue to handle them until they are adopted out, this helps with socializing.
- Q: What diet do you provide to babies and lactating mothers?
- A: I give the mothers a high fat high protein diet, I want to keep her and her babies in top shape for maximum growth and development. I feed Harlen Lab Blocks or Blue Buffalo for the mum which the babies will start to snack on, when babies are around 4-5 weeks I also offer water soaked lab blocks to the babies while they are weaning. I insure to give more fruit and veggies then the other rats, to improve and balance the diet, and in addition to all that I also add meats, eggs and nuts.
- Q: Do you cull babies in litters?
- A: No, no matter what is wrong with the babies or how many we have I do not cull any babies at all. It has been proven that with the right amount of food and time all rats can grow to the top potential. If a mother is having lactation issues then we will use a surrogate or hand feed.
- Q: Do you cull adults or elderly rats?
- A: Unless they have an illness or injury that can not treated, no we do not cull any animal at our Rattery. We take the advice of our vet and if any rat is not treatable, and it is advised we put them down then yes we have to do what is best for the animal.
- Q: Do you seek veterinary treatment for your animals? Can you recommend a vet for us (if living in the local area)?
- A: Yes, when I am in need of a vet I do use one. I recommend a vet by area, so depending on location the vet recommendation maybe different. I have a few for different thing's, as not all vets will spay or neuter a rat.
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Jazzed Up Rattery
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Jazzed Up Rattery
All rights reserved