Skiddish rats?

[azmodane]

So I was wondering now if I'm doing something wrong or if I just have a bunch of wusses now but I've got my breeders set up for 3 weeks now they are doing just fine but they are very skidding.... when I am looking at them through the wire mesh they are fine and will stand up and look at me through the mesh but as soon as I open the tub and go to grab one they all run.... is it just cuz they still aren't comfortable with me or what? I got them when they were just weaned and I try to handle them daily to get them tame and used to me but not really working.... Also is there a reason it always sounds like they are sneezing?

[AkHerps]

If they are sneezing a lot they may be beginning to get upper respiratory infections. Some rats can take longer to tame down than others, if you want to tame them down quickly give them a healthy treat when you say hello.

What bedding are you using?

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

Some rats are also allergic to some beddings, like Carefresh, or something in the room.

[azmodane]

They are in the garage right now and it doesn't specifically say what it is but soft wood shavings?

[AkHerps]

Wood shavings, if they are pine or cedar are pretty bad for rodents.

[snakesRkewl]

Rats need hard wood shavings or at the very least kiln dried pine(not my choice)

The rats act skittish because they are stressed over something, possibly living the bedding.
Rats almost never sneeze unless there is an issue, if they do sneeze they are telling you to fix it quickly or end up with a sick colony and that's no fun.
I would change your bedding to an approved rat bedding sooner than later.

[azmodane]

That's what I'm working with right now

[snakesRkewl]

I have a bag in my back yard that someone gave me, I'm waiting to send it to the recyclers
Aspen or kiln dried pine is your best bet.

[bokuza]

One thing I can think of is that the rats don't expect you to be in their cages. I leave me hands in with my grow out babes so they get used to me moving objects around and also touching them while in their territory.