" Why Do Rat Breeders End Up With So Many Rats?"
by Kathryne Lovings of Rat Dippity Rattery. (Posted with permission)
Information about breeding:
Information about Blue to Blue breedings:
http://www.afrma.org/russianblue.htm
http://www.afrma.org/bluerat.htm
http://www.nenuphar.plus.com/pendragon/features/bluerats/index.html
http://www.nfrs.org/breedingself.html
British Blues, half way down the page.
http://www.spoiledratten.com/breedingratscontent4.html
I will NEVER breed a Banded/Husky to another Banded/Husky as it carries the high risk of Megacolon. When I started, I wanted to breed away from high white markings. I now have achieved this, I do not have any white markings show up in my Blue line except a few white front socks and maybe an Irish once in a while.
I am breeding for: #1 health, #2 personality #3 beauty.
I am planning to use the rats that I have, even though some are unrelated, to create my own lines and then will continue to inbreed and linebreed to set the qualities I am wanting, as of now the rats personalities are absolutely the best and I have faith that it will continue.
About breeding ages, taken from
http://ratguide.com/breeding/breeding/breeding_age.php
QUOTE:
"Breeding Age Standards-
Most fancy breeders tend to wait until the female is at least 4 months old (usually 4-5 months) or until they have reached a certain weight (usually 9-12 ounces). At times breeding is delayed, 10-12 months, to evaluate the health and temperament of the potential mother. There is no evidence of increased problems during pregnancy or birth in females bred up to a year.
Pelvic fusing is a myth that has been perpetuated within the fancy. This has led to recommendations of early breeding to avoid endangering the mother rat. There is no scientific evidence that rats experience pelvic fusing at any age.
In the laboratory the traditional breeding age begins at 3-4 months and ends at 10-12 months. Maximum fertility is reached at between 3-10 months."
The above was taken from a website.
I chose to breed at 4 to 6 months of age depending on the size of the female and her disposition; I will NOT breed a rat with bad dispositions. Males can breed into older age (15 to 18 months) successfully.
I do not condone nor condemn other breeders for their practices and would appreciate the same.
by Kathryne Lovings of Rat Dippity Rattery. (Posted with permission)
Information about breeding:
Information about Blue to Blue breedings:
http://www.afrma.org/russianblue.htm
http://www.afrma.org/bluerat.htm
http://www.nenuphar.plus.com/pendragon/features/bluerats/index.html
http://www.nfrs.org/breedingself.html
British Blues, half way down the page.
http://www.spoiledratten.com/breedingratscontent4.html
I will NEVER breed a Banded/Husky to another Banded/Husky as it carries the high risk of Megacolon. When I started, I wanted to breed away from high white markings. I now have achieved this, I do not have any white markings show up in my Blue line except a few white front socks and maybe an Irish once in a while.
I am breeding for: #1 health, #2 personality #3 beauty.
I am planning to use the rats that I have, even though some are unrelated, to create my own lines and then will continue to inbreed and linebreed to set the qualities I am wanting, as of now the rats personalities are absolutely the best and I have faith that it will continue.
About breeding ages, taken from
http://ratguide.com/breeding/breeding/breeding_age.php
QUOTE:
"Breeding Age Standards-
Most fancy breeders tend to wait until the female is at least 4 months old (usually 4-5 months) or until they have reached a certain weight (usually 9-12 ounces). At times breeding is delayed, 10-12 months, to evaluate the health and temperament of the potential mother. There is no evidence of increased problems during pregnancy or birth in females bred up to a year.
Pelvic fusing is a myth that has been perpetuated within the fancy. This has led to recommendations of early breeding to avoid endangering the mother rat. There is no scientific evidence that rats experience pelvic fusing at any age.
In the laboratory the traditional breeding age begins at 3-4 months and ends at 10-12 months. Maximum fertility is reached at between 3-10 months."
The above was taken from a website.
I chose to breed at 4 to 6 months of age depending on the size of the female and her disposition; I will NOT breed a rat with bad dispositions. Males can breed into older age (15 to 18 months) successfully.
I do not condone nor condemn other breeders for their practices and would appreciate the same.
