Petco rat genetics.

[stangs13]

My rats will be ready to go in the next week or two, and I have a few questions on there genetics. I bought 3 black hoodeds, and a berkshire. What should I expect out of them? Hoodeds of different colors? Selfs? Rexes? Dumbos? What do you normally get out of your petco rats?

Also, when should I keep some females out of a litter to replace there moms? Like how many months before there moms are retired should I take them out so they will be up to size when there moms have had there last litter?

Lots of new questions for yall! And how many grams a week do your females gain when not preggo? Mine gained from 10-15 grams sometimes more a week! Thanks!

[Ginevive]

Out of them, generally I would expect some hooded babies, some berks, and maybe even some solid whites. If they are not dumbos, I wouldn't think that you'd get any dumbos out of them. I really don't weigh my females per se, so I am not sure about the weight thing. I know that when they look like they've got a small apple stuck in their stomach, babies are coming soon
I am not sure how many snakes you have. If there are not many, you might just be fine with 1.3 rats going. Maybe stagger the breedings so that all of them won't have their babies all at once? Maybe a week or so apart.. if your snakes eat f/t, you could always euth/freeze for later. I would get as many females as you can house and afford.. seems like you can never have enough going if you have 10-odd snakes like I do! I like to keep ad holdback females out of large, healthy litters for future breeders.

[stangs13]

Out of them, generally I would expect some hooded babies, some berks, and maybe even some solid whites. If they are not dumbos, I wouldn't think that you'd get any dumbos out of them. I really don't weigh my females per se, so I am not sure about the weight thing. I know that when they look like they've got a small apple stuck in their stomach, babies are coming soon
I am not sure how many snakes you have. If there are not many, you might just be fine with 1.3 rats going. Maybe stagger the breedings so that all of them won't have their babies all at once? Maybe a week or so apart.. if your snakes eat f/t, you could always euth/freeze for later. I would get as many females as you can house and afford.. seems like you can never have enough going if you have 10-odd snakes like I do! I like to keep ad holdback females out of large, healthy litters for future breeders.

I have 8 snakes right now. Ok, thanks! Maybe Jo will pop in and awnser about the weights,etc.

[littleindiangirl]

I bought 3 black hoodeds, and a berkshire. What should I expect out of them? Hoodeds of different colors? Selfs? Rexes? Dumbos? What do you normally get out of your petco rats?

If you have all black animals, expect black animals unless by random chance you have two het animals carrying a recessive gene like Blue.

If you have hoodeds and berkshires, expect hoodeds and berkshires. Maybe even a self (solid) once in a while. You may even get some strange patterns like capped, bareback, dalmation, baldie etc. It all depends on the recessive genetics these animals may be carrying. Please read on the high risk colors and patterns.

Dumbo is a simple recessive, it would either have to already have a dumbo bred to another dumbo, or 2 hets for dumbo bred together. There are no markers, and yes it's possible. I got a blue dumbo irish first try.

So far, my 2 petco females have been great. They are large (400+) grams, fantastic moms, have large litters and very outgoing.

Also, when should I keep some females out of a litter to replace there moms?
Like how many months before there moms are retired should I take them out so they will be up to size when there moms have had there last litter?

I figured I will pull a replacement female from my mom at her 3rd- 4th litter. All my females are cycled, so it worked out best for me this way. I have room to raise females for a few months.

Lots of new questions for yall! And how many grams a week do your females gain when not preggo? Mine gained from 10-15 grams sometimes more a week! Thanks!

Depends on the rat, some of mine have grown fast and large, while others take a little longer. Best to hold back females from a mother that produces large litters and grow quickly. Always invest in health and temperament.

[stangs13]

Wow! Thanks! I deffanatly read on the genetic defects..nasty stuff. I love my hoodeds, so more hoodeds is perfect!