Extra, extra!

It is a slow process, but the Rattery's website is coming along: A Gothic Rattery

I am ordering the girl's new cage today, yay! They.......ate their shelves....and now have a crazy tangle of broken shelves. It's like an extreme jungle gym.

Last night everyone had an immune booster snack with lots of fruits exploding with antioxidants. The weather has been smoky and I want to make sure everyone's immune system is strong.

Die, vile plastic!

Victor likes to pull in the tie straps that hold his little cubby in place.

Adoption day3

2 baby boys went to their new home today. I had to hold them an extra week.
 
The owners' are a friend of the family, so I will be able to visit the rat-boys....which always makes me happy to be able to see my babies again.

Future Litters

I am debating my next litter. Here are a few litters I could have:

1. Siamese dumbo
2. Dumbo agouti rex
3. Black and white dumbo
4. Blue dumbo

I think I am leaning towards option 1 or 2, but I am not sure yet. I will start the waiting list soon.

To buy or not to buy

Ah...the age long debate about "rescuing" feeders and petstore rats.

I support this. I know many, many people disagree. They feel purchasing these rats will open up new spots for more poorly bred rats to fill. By not buying from retailers...you are not rewarding them for their mistreatment of animals.

I understand this.

But I cannot walk into a shop, see those terrified faces, and not care. They need love, too. I wish breeding mills could be educated...and breed for the right reasons. But they don't. That does not mean the rats should suffer. And I really dislike people who look down on your for owning petstore rats or feeder rats. There is no difference between snake food and a rat with a pedigree that reaches a mile. I will continue to save feeders as long as people continue to abuse them.

If snake owners would buy pre-kill...or breed and kill their own (humanely) ...there would be no need for starved, urine covered sick rats in the reptile shops.

Additions

I am considering adding a few more rats to the rattery. I have found some wonderful people with great, healthy rats. If this is the case, after quarantine, careful examination, observation of behavior/health/ect. I will breed a rex little in the near-ish future. Huzzah! I was very disappointed in how terrible Beatrice, my rex, turned out and that I would be unable to breed her with her aggression and terrible personality. I was so looking forward to a rex litter this year. This is why waiting always has its perks! She was not this aggressive as a young rat...but quickly grew into it as she aged. Always wait until at LEAST 4 months of age.

Also, I have reached my money goal and will be ordering the fist Critter Nation for the girls. Then I will start saving up for the boys. So excited!

Rats are never content

I have a few rats in the "hospital" (i.e....the living room).

Lenore busted her foot. The swelling is gone, now it is just sore. But she keep trying to bust the lid of her "Get well tank" off. She will stretch up on her messed up foot, grab onto the wire, and hang there. I have taken out her house so she'll stop head butting the lid. Crazy girl. I am moving her to the 40 gallon unused fish tank to prevent anymore brain-damage. It is very tall, and unless she develops super powers, she should not be able to jump and reach the lid.

Zocquiel got in a fight and had some battle wounds. So he's in a bird cage while I tend to his bites. He has figured out that if he uses his mouth to pull up on the door, he can lift it with his paws until he is able to wiggle his head under. Smart guy. Now I'm breaking out the locking clips.

Naberous (who fought with Zoc), is in another cage for observation. It is one of those one level rabbit cages. But he has found he can push his head against the door and pop it out. ...More clips.

I have a gang of Houdinis here.

Rats just hate cages. Houses are more their style....complete with full course meals served thrice a day (don't forget ice cream!)