Quote Originally Posted by pbenner View Post
In Texas, AFRMA is a joke. Most of the serious breeders of rats don't mess with AFRMA and the few rats I've seen from their lines are horrible messes. Low litter count and weird proportions based on what they consider "ideal". Also, a lot of pet breeders don't believe in culling in any form, so snake food breeders are kind of their own group.

There is a group on Facebook called "Feeder Breeder Enthusiasts" that will answer 99% of all your questions without too much issue and with out any judgement. I raise a number of feeders outside of Rats and am expanding, and it's one of my favorite groups. In regards to mentoring you, I've mentored more than one novice rat breeder and am happy to answer any questions I can for you either on here, or on Facebook if you want to find me. Send me a PM and I'll link you my profile.

Color Genetics for Rats are not any more complicated than Snake Genetics, but it's the genetics of Pattern that will get you all wound up. I personally don't like patterns outside of Hooded and Blaze, so I've done my best to cull out anything other than those, but those two genes interact well with Self, Irish, and Berkshire patterns, which are most of my collection.

I'd get onto FBE on Facebook and post that you're looking to get "Founding Stock" for a rattery. Go entirely with known lines and genetics as inbreeding isn't an issue and make sure that whoever you buy from has the genes you want. If you were closer to me I'd help you out. But you can find someone within reasonable distance. It's worth EVERY PENNY to get good, known lines out of the gate to avoid having to breed out things like Maternal Aggression and any temperament issues.

Best,

Paul
I thought I was in that group, turns out I’m not! Sent a request. The other groups I’m in have almost no activity.

For now, my group works well for feeder breeders, but without knowing their genetics 100% I don’t feel comfortable selling as pets.

I also want to have a whole host of feeders for the snakes (as well as myself). I’m currently in the process of finding a house, and I’m looking for a place with enough space to have rats, mice, rabbits, chickens, pigs, goats, quail, ducks, and anything else I’ll need. Rabbits have been hard to find lately, perhaps the FBE group will be able to help. I’ve only found one breeder, in TN. :/


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