Quick colony question

Hey guys, I've got a question I can't seem to find an answer for.

I'm starting a rat colony for feeders/pets. I want to start slow and small as it is just as much a hobby as the BPs and I only have 2 BP's currently.

I am seeing a fancy rat breeder to buy some very healthy, high quality rats. I am wanting to start with just a 1.1 and then hold back the best male and best 2 females from the litter to start another colony, as well as leave one of the females from the litter in the tub to make that first colony a 1.2 as well.

Is there anything wrong with this logic? Is this a bad route to take?

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Nothing wrong with it I pretty much started with a small number making sure to get rats from different source to build my colony from scratch and make sure to produce the best of the best.

Selective breeding is very important with rats as well when it comes to litter size and behavior.

Just make sure to buy young rats (small about 6 weeks of age) and raise them up to optimum weight (250 grams). Buying adults, large rats or proven breeder often means they are no longer in their prime for breeding.

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Thanks, will do. These are supposed to be just recently weaned.

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Originally Posted by scottprotege

Thanks, will do. These are supposed to be just recently weaned.

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That's perfect.

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Is this someone who breeds for fancy pets or show, or someone who breeds rodents to sell/breeds feeders?

Feeder breeders are more likely to be careful about having rats that give large healthy litters of fast growing babies. Pet/show breeders are more careful about conformation and color.

Both will be healthy rats if they are a quality breeder, but know the particulars will help you know what to expect.

When you are building the colony, don't be afraid to cull undesirable traits.

It depends on the breeder you buy from. Most show breeders do have very well tempered stock since they will get heavily dinged for a rat that squeaks during handling or shows skittishness while be evaluated by the judges. You do need to be careful to dig into the practices of the breeders you're buying from. Some fancy pet rat breeders do not select for good health, build, or temperament.

I do wish I had known and had the opportunity to start with show stock when I started several years ago. Now that I feel well versed on AFRMA show standards and have some new lines to play with, I'm really pushing forward for show quality.

If I were you I'd pick up 2.2 or 1.2. You just never know what is going to happen and it's better to have a backup rat or two.