Please read the SALES POLICY before inquiring about any available animals
This is private property and NOT a public access business. We breed these animals out of our home on our small farm. Please do not just show up and expect to purchase an animal like you would at a pet store. You will be asked to leave. All inquiries into the animals here can be made via text or email and an appointment must be made for pick ups.
NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
In 2005, I started my journey with pet rats. It was one I never thought I'd love more. In 2010, I lost my heart rat and decided to stop breeding. I sold off all my old breeders and any young ones I had. My heart was broken. I never thought I'd be able to have another rat as a pet OR breed them again. But, here we are, 13 years later and rats have again taken over my life, my office and my heart!
We breed primarily for temperament and have a few harder to find colors here and all rats are socialized (with other rats, other animals and people!) and handled daily from the day they are born.
Our main focus is pets, however we have offered feeders and breeders to others in the past.
All are spoiled rotten and we expect a home that will love them and spoil them just as we do.
Raising Rats Timeline
Below you'll find our girls and our boys. Ranging in age from 2 months of age to 2 years old, this mischief lives in lavish Midwest Double Critter Nation cages with all the goodies a rat could ask for. (Girls and Boys have a separate cage)
With plenty of space to play, hide and raise babies, the female colony helps each other take care of babies and teach them everything there is to know about living in a colony.
Here's what we do to make it as easy as possible on mom and babies!
- 4 days before due date, mom is moved to a nursery cage where she'll prepare her nest and deliver her babies.
- After the babies are born, I will check on them and make sure everyone is counted and checked on. First time moms can get a little crazy with the cleaning of newborns and can unintentionally injure them.
- At 1 week old, babies are weighted, examined, sexed and noted in our records for the moms.
- At 2 week old, babies and mamas are moved from nursery cages into the main colony cage on the top level. This level has been separated from the bottom and allows moms to raise babies with little to no interference of the other females in the colony.
- At 3 weeks old, the ramp between levels is opened and the other girls are allowed to interact with moms and babies. From this point until they are 5 weeks old, the rat pups learn all about living in a colony. The aunties teach them manners, what the hierarchy means, when play time has gotten to rough and much more.
- At 4 weeks old, individual photos are taken and posted on our available rats page and we begin taking payments for babies..
- At 5 weeks old, male rat pups are now moved to the big boys cage. Here the older males will teach the little ones all about what it's like living in an all male colony. Uncles will show them the rules, discipline them when needed and teach them to use the litter box (this makes cleaning the boys cage so much easier)
- At 6 weeks old, Those that have been sold are placed in a separate area and labeled with the buyers information.
- At 7 weeks old, personalities begin to show more and you quickly learn who will be the trouble makers of the group
- At 8 weeks old, babies are now ready to go to their new homes. Any buyer that has completed our purchase timeline (full payment, signed agreement and appointment for pick up) will now be able to come at their scheduled pick up time and get their new babies.
Our Girls
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Our Boys
Highly Recommended Ratteries
Brittany Hurst - Owner
They are a small scale breeder that specialized in Marten, Silvermane, Pearl and Harley. Located in Central Illinois, They have had rats as pets for 4 years and breed for temperament and quality for the best you could ask for. She also has feeders from small to large sizes and recently started raising African Soft-Furred Mice (feeders NOT pets) that she got from us at Morningstar Rattery.
Recommended Cages, Feed and other equipment
Cages
We highly recommend the Midwest Double Critter Nation cage for ALL rats.
Due to closer bar spacing, little ones can't escape!!
About this item
- Includes 2 pans, 2 adjustable shelves, 3 plastic ramps with covers & easily maneuverable stand with 4 locking wheel casters
- Full-width double doors on critter nation small animal cage and removable shelf provide maximum accessibility for easy cleaning & feeding
- Critter Nation's wide expanse shelves & full width leak proof pans provide maximized play area & prevent dangerous falls
- Great for Rats, Chinchillas, Degus, Ferrets, tubing (corners) 0.6 inches square & 1/2 " horizontal wire spacing allow pets to fulfill their instinct to climb & explore in a secure environment
- Dimensions: 36" L x 24" W x 63" H
Food
We highly recommend Kalmbach Feeds 18% Rodent Diet Cubes Rats & Mice Food, 50-lbs bag.
- Omega 3 fatty acids support immune function.
- Complete, balanced nutrition for rats and mice from all life stages.
- Yucca Schidigera Extract helps reduce ammonium secretion.
- Crafted with Lifeguard, a proprietary blend of prebiotics, probiotics, natural plant extracts and organic trace minerals, to support digestive health and immunity.
- The cube form creates less waste and promotes improved consumption.
Kalmbach Feeds 18% Rodent Diet Cubes Rats and Mice Food is a complete balance of essential nutrients. It meets the requirements of all classes of rodents. Yucca Schidigera Extract is included to help reduce ammonium secretion, omega-3 fatty acids support a healthy immune system and Lifeguard, a proprietary blend of probiotics, prebiotics and natural plant extracts and organic trace minerals support healthy digestion and immunity.
Last updated on 02/04/2023