Rodent suppliers?

[tweets_4611]

Now, I have seen that list of suppliers, but I'm more looking for a breeder where I can get some decent starter rats for a feeder colony. I'm not going to be buying any yet, but I want to look at the prices, and kinds of the rats that are out there. I have been looking like crazy, but all I can find are people that refuse to sell their rats for feeders (or even breeders for feeders) or people selling frozen. There were only 2 on that list on here that even delt with live, that I saw, and one doesn't deliver live animals.

How did you guys start your breeding colonies?

[recycling goddess]

i started at the petstore as a matter of fact... we brought two beautiful chubby little girls home today. they were living in a classroom and the teacher didn't want them anymore... so now they are going to breeders for us

[monk90222]

I also started at petstores. I actually drove around with in 45 minutes of my house and went to all petstores. I started with 1.4 unrelated rats. Frome there, I held back some girls from each litter. When those girls grew up (to 250g) and were ready to breed, I went back to some pet stores and bought some adult males....I now produce all of my breeders....

[hoo-t]

Now, I have seen that list of suppliers, but I'm more looking for a breeder where I can get some decent starter rats for a feeder colony. I'm not going to be buying any yet, but I want to look at the prices, and kinds of the rats that are out there. I have been looking like crazy, but all I can find are people that refuse to sell their rats for feeders (or even breeders for feeders) or people selling frozen. There were only 2 on that list on here that even delt with live, that I saw, and one doesn't deliver live animals.

How did you guys start your breeding colonies?

Shannon,
Next time your in OKC, bring a tub or cage with you and I'll hook you up! If you'll let me know a little ahead of time, I'll try to keep a couple back for you. Dumbo? Rex? ....

Steve

[tweets_4611]

Haha...Thanks Steve. I'm not looking to get any yet, but I was just kind of wondering what kinds there were, and where to start looking. I'm still kinda learning what the different kinds are...next time I'm up there though, I wouldn't mind looking at the ones that you have. Are the rexes the one with the curly like hair?

[sweety314]

We started it by accident. We bought them from the local feed store that was selling live animals. Scabbers, and then later Peekaboo were purchased as "Baby" food, but Baby was still in a fast, and by the time Baby started eating, both rats were too big. So they became pets. As we increased the size of our collection, I decided to start breeding them to help save some money.

When I saw what a good mommy Peek was, I started keeping back her daughters, picked up Butterscotch and Smudge for some different blood and started xing the daughters in different combos.

I hope to continue Peek's line. All the daughters, and grands have given me litters of 12-14 (except for one girl) but they appear to be susceptible to tumors. We've lost Scabbers to a thoracic tumor, and had to have Peek PTS due to ovarian tumors. But we're feeding off what's left of two litters, Mommy Thing had a litter 10d ago that are food, Patches, Stripe and Dumbelina just surprised us with babies. (They looked like they were still a few days away from dropping.) This litter is Dumbelina's 2nd and again she gave us 14.

[hoo-t]

Haha...Thanks Steve. I'm not looking to get any yet, but I was just kind of wondering what kinds there were, and where to start looking. I'm still kinda learning what the different kinds are...next time I'm up there though, I wouldn't mind looking at the ones that you have. Are the rexes the one with the curly like hair?

Yes, rex rats have curly hair, though it seems more apparent when they are small. You're welcome anytime!

Steve