Congratulations! You may have recently been approved for adoption, or have been assigned your baby! If so, the next 6-weeks of waiting for your future rat to grow up can seem like an eternity. I wish I could do something to speed it up! But these 6 weeks allow them to develop their immune systems. They also learn about social structure and bond with siblings and mom.
In the meantime, there is some preparation that needs to be done! Like gathering supplies, picking out your package, and thinking of cute names!
Here is a list of what you will need:
- Cage (with .5″ bar spacing or less)
- Food (age appropriate)
- Purified Water
- Food Dish
- Water Bottle
- Bedding
- Litter
- Litter Box
- Toys and Natural Enrichment
- Hideaways
- Hammocks
- Cage Accessories (like clips for hanging hammocks)
- Care Supplies (like nail clippers, rat soap)
- Carrier
- Bonding Pouch (optional)
You can find a similar list and my > ULTIMATE FIRST TIME RAT OWNERS WISHLIST. It can be quite helpful and inspirational.
What We Feed Our Rats
The babies and mothers are fed Kalmbach 23% (protein). The babies you will be receiving at 6 weeks old should be fed: an all age rat food or a young rat food until 6 months of age. I recommend feeding them Kalmbach 18%. This is what I feed everyone else and my youngsters growing up. You can find a 50lb. bag on Chewy for $40. (link here)
What Type of Bedding We Prefer
Shredded construction paper (in strips) as nesting materials. Then I lay a fleece blanket or two down under the paper. So technically, I don’t use “bedding”
To learn more about the rat room and routine, click here.
The Rattery Packages
Don’t forget, while you are stockpiling rat supplies, that you will need to purchase a package from this website. Our packages include a variety of homemade items like hammocks, treats, and toys.
You can find the form on this website. You will fill out the form. I will text you an invoice within 24 hours. Then you will be expected to pay immediately using your preferred payment method. If you are not ready to pay, please wait to submit your package form until you can complete payment.
Cash in person is an option. However, if you pay by cash, we will not ship your package. You can pick it up when you pick up your rats. However, payment ahead of time is preferred. This also allows us time to focus on you picking up your rats, which is the priority!
Photo/Video Updates
You can expect photo and video updates about every 4-7 days from me. Once we choose our rats, around day 15-21, I will be sure to send you updates specifically of your little ones. This process is very unique and an exciting chance to see them grow before your very eyes.
Our Bonding Technique
The first time we handle the babies, is 24-hours after birth. The first 24 hours is to allow mom to relax and focus on her babies. Though, I will usually do a quick check-up 3 hours after labor. This ensures that everyone is healthy, and there are no stillborn (which does not happen often).
After day 4, we will start hoodie bonding; or wearing a hoodie backwards with them in the hood on my chest. This process allows for light handling, getting acquainted with human smells and noises, and it encourages a long-term trust for humans, that to me, seems irreplaceable.
The earlier days are the most crucial. While they are still adjusting to life. From day 4-21 I will hoodie bond with them at least every other day. After this, they get light handling, but the bonding stops once they can no longer fit in the hoodie. I am working towards a solution to bond with them more (really, it’s in the works).
However, just the early on bonding seems to do wonders. You must understand, a lot of rats are raised in bin-type scenarios, my rats are not. They breed, birth, and grow up in cages. This promotes healthy enrichment opportunities, plenty of space and ventilation, and encourages socialization.
What I am offering: are very sweet, mostly tame, little beans of love.
You must understand, they are never overcoming anything, but they may be shy or timid when you first get them. They are still very young and need time to sprout. Some ratteries don’t adopt out until 8 weeks, this is usually when a stronger sense of confidence approaches. But I believe in getting your babies to you ASAP so you can continue bonding and loving them one-on-one.
So, long story short: 1. they aren’t overcoming anything traumatic, 2. they will need time to warm up, 3. routine handling and care tactics will be your best approach.
If you need any advice with bonding, please reach out! As I only wish to provide you rats that will be successful pets. To read more about our breeding practices, click here.
Continuing Litter Training
I sure hope you are considering litter training your rats. Most take to it very quickly and it makes cleanup a heck of a lot easier. To learn more about how to litter train your rats, you can always reach out, or check out this blog post: “How Do You Litter Train a Rat?”
Pick Up Time
Pick up is exactly 6 weeks after birth. Of course, we know not everyone will be able to pick up their rats at this time. Please set something up to pick up your rats between 6 and 7 weeks. If your pickup is past 7 weeks, please note, there may be an additional weekly charge. I do not hold rats past 10 weeks.
If you have other rats, do not forget about the quarantine period. You can learn more about how to quarantine your rats, here.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING A CARRIER!!! We do not allow our rats to leave “in boxes.” This setting is terrifying to them. It’s the exact opposite way you want to introduce them to their new life.
List of Rat Names
- Biscuit
- Brie
- Cheddar
- Dumpling
- Gnocchi
- Macaroni
- Miso
- Noodle
- Pierogi
- Pistachio
- Pumpernickel
- Sesame
- Tater
- Toffee
- Waffles
- Ash
- Bramble
- Clover
- Comet
- Fern
- Hazel
- Jasper
- Juniper
- Lunar
- Maple
- Onyx
- River
- Sage
- Twig
- Willow
- Algernon
- Basil
- Darwin
- Despereaux
- Dickens
- Gatsby
- Jenner
- Matilde
- Nicodemus
- Poe
- Remy
- Rizzo
- Scabbers
- Splinter
- Templeton
- Bean
- Button
- Cricket
- Gizmo
- Nibble
- Pebble
- Pip
- Pixel
- Smudge
- Sprout
- Squeak
- Thimble
- Tiptoe
- Whiskers
- Bandit
- Chaos
- Dexter
- Goblin
- Houdini
- Jinx
- Mayhem
- Mischief
- Phantom
- Rascal
- Rebel
- Rogue
- Shadow
- Sneak
- Vandal
- Archimedes
- Arthur
- Barnaby
- Beatrice
- Clementine
- Cornelius
- Duchess
- Duke
- Eleanor
- Lancelot
- Leopold
- Penelope
- Silas
- Theodore
- Winston
- Brie Larson
- Cheeses Crust
- Julius Cheeser
- Lord Gouda
- Mouserati
- Rat Damon
- Ratatouille
- Ratzilla
- Sir Squeaks-a-Lot
- Squeakira
If you have any further questions, never hesitate to reach out. I’m Jax, by the way. Thank you for reading this, and I look forward to going on this journey together!
The Rattery 
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