Castrophy Need Ideas quick!!!!!!

Watch those blue hooded females, Ed.


I got three from Petsmart, one died after a month of vet visits to treat her for an RI. Another died during labor. The third had a litter of 14, only 8 survived.

My black hoodeds, blue self, beige hooded and brown hooded all have had large litter with no health problems.

I don't know if there's some weakness with blue hoodeds, but thought I'd let you know so you can watch them.

. :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Watch those blue hooded females, Ed.


I got three from Petsmart, one died after a month of vet visits to treat her for an RI. Another died during labor. The third had a litter of 14, only 8 survived.

My black hoodeds, blue self, beige hooded and brown hooded all have had large litter with no health problems.

I don't know if there's some weakness with blue hoodeds, but thought I'd let you know so you can watch them.

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just fyi, i also have a blue hooded from petsmart that may have come from the same supplier as the ones robin got. mine is doing great. her first litter was extremely small, but her second litter, which numbered 14, are all healthy and are close to being weaned.
i'm definitely being more watchful over her than the others just because of what happened with robin's blues, but so far so good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Watch those blue hooded females, Ed.
I got three from Petsmart, one died after a month of vet visits to treat her for an RI. Another died during labor. The third had a litter of 14, only 8 survived. .
I don't know if there's some weakness with blue hoodeds, but thought I'd let you know so you can watch them.

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Oh great!! I just put 3 blue hooded females that I raised up into the breeding rotation this weekend!!

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Originally Posted by monk90222

Oh great!! I just put 3 blue hooded females that I raised up into the breeding rotation this weekend!!

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I'm sure they'll do fine. :)

I just found it odd that out of all my females, the blue hoodeds were the only ones with problems.

The only blue rat we've ever had in the colony was a male, gorgeous powder blue American Blue rat. Not only was he infertile but his temperment was extremely unstable to the point that we had to put him down. I'm not saying Blues are bad, heck I love them and am trying to add some to my own breeding efforts.

I think they became so popular as pet rats that they can be far too inbred or bred without any regard for the health and temperment of the parents or whether the female line produces good big litters. Just keep an eye on them and see how they go for you.

Now my blue self, on the other hand, has been one of my best mothers with large healthy litters.


I've only had problems with the blue hoodeds.

Thanks guys keep the info coming. The more I learn quick the quicker I can be a more effective rat breeder.

Crap.. if you were in my area, I could give you some ratties..!

my blue hooded so far has been great--healthy, sweet personality, great mom, good sized second litter (after her first small litter). i count myself lucky, and although tempted i do not plan to add anymore petsmart rats to my colony--she was the one and only--i finally gave in because i sooo wanted a blue rattie! actually, i do not plan to add any other store bought rats to my colony--if in the future i need some new stock for genetic purposes i will try to get some from other breeders and not pet stores (better, healthier animals and i'll know the parentage).

my best female breeder was a brown hooded who is now retired. i kept two of her hooded daughters which are just as wonderful as she was (big litters, great moms) and just kept back two of their daughters to raise up too. observe your females and hold back girls from the very best moms and you'll build yourself an awesome colony!