Little Eepers Rattery
Rat and Breeder Information
1. Good and Bad Breeders
How to identify the good and the bad breeders
A "good" breeder:
- treats every rat as a pet first and not stock
- keeps multiple babies from each litter to continue the line
- has extensive background and history on ALL rats they create from birth to death
- houses their rats in a building that is cool in summer and warm in winter
- keeps cages clean and not over filled
- has records of all adoptions and matings
- keeps their rats for their lifetime, even when unable to be bred from
- ensures that each rat goes to an appropriate and safe home
- feeds a high quality rat food and plenty of "dinner" foods
- interacts with all rats on a daily basis
- works with other breeders to get advice and new genes
- has knowledge on rat genetics
- ensures any ill rats are seen by a vet and not used for breeding
- waits until male rats are 12-18 months and females 6-10 months before mating
- does not breed the same female more than twice
- does not breed females within 3 months of their previous litter
- listens and looks for ways to improve themselves
- fund their rattery through their own money
- will have rats of a healthy size and weight, no spine or ribs should be felt
- has nice, round, chubby babies who are friendly and well socialised
A "bad" breeder:
- may feed a seed mix or other inadequate food
- may use trade me or other auctions to sell rats
- may keep rats outdoors or in housing unprotected from the elements
- may have cages overstocked or too small
- may ask for donations towards rattery costs
- may have mixed sexes living together (not desexed)
- may not have adoption records
- may breed without keeping any babies or just for adopters
- may not have history on all rats
- may not screen adopters
- may refer to rats as "stock" constantly
- may re-home rats that are either past their breeding age or not wanted for breeding
- may breed from rats either unwell or previously unwell
- may breed from underage rats
- may have under or overweight rats
- may have accidental litters
- may be hesitant to disclose any issues within their rats/lines
- may breed from males with hormonal aggression signs
- may avoid spending time or money on vets and sick rats
On average it costs over $200 to raise a single litter, all breeders will ask for an adoption fee to cover just a slight portion of the costs,bad breeders will be seen cutting costs in many areas and trying to make a profit. Good breeders will never make a profit, ever.
A "good" breeder:
- treats every rat as a pet first and not stock
- keeps multiple babies from each litter to continue the line
- has extensive background and history on ALL rats they create from birth to death
- houses their rats in a building that is cool in summer and warm in winter
- keeps cages clean and not over filled
- has records of all adoptions and matings
- keeps their rats for their lifetime, even when unable to be bred from
- ensures that each rat goes to an appropriate and safe home
- feeds a high quality rat food and plenty of "dinner" foods
- interacts with all rats on a daily basis
- works with other breeders to get advice and new genes
- has knowledge on rat genetics
- ensures any ill rats are seen by a vet and not used for breeding
- waits until male rats are 12-18 months and females 6-10 months before mating
- does not breed the same female more than twice
- does not breed females within 3 months of their previous litter
- listens and looks for ways to improve themselves
- fund their rattery through their own money
- will have rats of a healthy size and weight, no spine or ribs should be felt
- has nice, round, chubby babies who are friendly and well socialised
A "bad" breeder:
- may feed a seed mix or other inadequate food
- may use trade me or other auctions to sell rats
- may keep rats outdoors or in housing unprotected from the elements
- may have cages overstocked or too small
- may ask for donations towards rattery costs
- may have mixed sexes living together (not desexed)
- may not have adoption records
- may breed without keeping any babies or just for adopters
- may not have history on all rats
- may not screen adopters
- may refer to rats as "stock" constantly
- may re-home rats that are either past their breeding age or not wanted for breeding
- may breed from rats either unwell or previously unwell
- may breed from underage rats
- may have under or overweight rats
- may have accidental litters
- may be hesitant to disclose any issues within their rats/lines
- may breed from males with hormonal aggression signs
- may avoid spending time or money on vets and sick rats
On average it costs over $200 to raise a single litter, all breeders will ask for an adoption fee to cover just a slight portion of the costs,bad breeders will be seen cutting costs in many areas and trying to make a profit. Good breeders will never make a profit, ever.
NZ Rat Breeders Association
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