Male Rats = Friends or Foes?

[Xotik]

So I was given two female rats. I'm planning on breeding them and getting feeders...ect.

I was only planning on buying one male. But everything I've read says that rats are social and should be kept together. Should I buy two males then? I'm not planning on housing the male/s with the females all the time - just during the whoohaa period - so the male (if I only get one) will be on his own 90% of the time. Should I consider getting two? or will they fight and be mad and huffity and need to be separated?

Also - Because I've always wanted one, I'm planning on getting a hairless male, would it be a problem if I bought a furred male to be his cagemate?

[aldebono]

You should definitely get two as they are very social.

You won't have any problem with keeping two males together. I would buy them as litter mates or gets them young and put them together. Rat breeders sell them in same sexed pairs so they always have a buddy. Male rats will play and groom each other. A hairless and furred will be fine. I have heard the hairless may have scratches on them from rough housing, but normally nothing serious.

Every man needs another man to share his mancave with.

Enjoy your ratters! They are a lot of fun and you will definitely get attached.

[Xotik]

Every man needs another man to share his mancave with.

True That.

Thanks! I don't have many breeders around, and the last one I know of that bred hairless recently gave all their rats to the local petstore (divorce I guess) but they decided they may want them back. I'm going down today to find out what the verdict is.
Mainly because I want the male they have, and if I can find one, a black furred male. Would it be wiser to maybe wait? I'm not exactly sure of the age on the hairless, but hes adorable, and has already bred a few times (so I was told, and I trust the people at this pet store).

I'm assuming it would be easier to go with two from the same litter, but it is possible to mix them? I wasn't sure if there would be testosterone overload going on and end up with WWE smackdown in my rat room..

[aldebono]

Depends on the male. Some are jerks and others are lovers.

My males love babies. If he has been around babies and is sweet to them, you could get a young black male. If he is in with any of his sons at the store, that would be ideal. But it should be fine with any younger male if he is not a jerk. If he is going to be mean, you will see it within the first few minutes and separate. Different litters will be fine, little rats get along like little kids.

Again, depends on his personality.

[Xotik]

Again, depends on his personality.

All down to "Who's the big shot on the playground" sort of deal?

[aldebono]

Yea it is. If the babies think hes a jerk you will know. They scream UNCLE! really loud even when hes just sitting on them. I still don't let him pick on babies, even if they are exaggerating. In my colonies, I like for my females to be boss, then I don't have worry if the male is bullying them, if I hear squeaks, I just know the girls are grooming him and hes being a wuss.

I don't keep males that cause problems with new females or not their own babies. I have enough to deal with.

[Xotik]

Alright, Thanks for the advice!

[snakesRkewl]

If you breed two males with females and then put them back together in a cage "in my experience" they will beat the crap out of each other.

My males detest each other

[zeion97]

If you breed two males with females and then put them back together in a cage "in my experience" they will beat the crap out of each other.

My males detest each other

NONE of my breeding males get along. I can't even put them together to rotate the rats around, if i do they try to kill each other. Any other time they're nice and docile though...lol

[PitOnTheProwl]

I currently have 6 males that live together and are rotated with the girls and havent had any major problems.
When the "lucky" male gets put back in the man-cave, they all come over and check him out.