How To Avoid Backyard-Breeders | my 🚩RED FLAGS🚩 of rat BREEDERS

[@Yes_im_Water]

A huge red flag in my opinion is breeders who don't test for any diseases like Rat bite fever(rbf is like the easiest to test for it's a swab) met a lady who got rbf apparently because the breeders she was buying from didn't do testing.

[@FaithfulRattos]

In the UK this really isn't common, especially within active fancy members. I don't think anyone does this, but definitely in a country where this is common this sort of testing is important!

[@CJhasgoneidle]

I wish I'd seen this video before I got my first girls. I didn't know what to look for, I just knew "pet store/feeder bin = bad" and so I went with the first breeder I could find. She didn't track lineage, told me incorrect information about markings and coat type (at the time I didn't care, but looking back I can see the huge red flag), didn't ask about my setup/food/vet situation, and wouldn't show me her setup for the babies, just for her personal pet rats. Once I got them home, I immediately noticed that they were itching like crazy - she had sent me home with babies that had mites. They were also skittish and were scared to be handled, similar to a rat from a feeder bin, which took me months to work through. The whole thing was shady and I'm so glad that I've since learned more about rat husbandry and have found an amazing, reputable, certified breeder near me. I hope this video helps some people avoid the stress that I (and many others) have gone through when trying to find healthy, happy pet rats!

[@ellieelias6336]

There are no rat breeders near me (only ones who breed feeders, sadly) I think all your information is spot on! I live in he US, but where could I start learning online more about rat genetics/breeding type information? I feel like until I know more I won't know how to tell if a breeder knows what they're taking about or not

[@margalothegreat_hams]

Another big red flag is if they sell their rats too cheaply. Of course ethical breeders aren't in it for a profit, but they've put a lot of work into these rats, it's not cheap to be a breeder, and they want them to go to good homes. I personally would think anything under about $40 would be a little suspicious, and anything less than $30 would be a major red flag that they are breeding for quantity not quality, and do not have expenses of their rats to pay for, because they are keeping them in bad conditions. Very helpful video by the way!

[@Cheese_Boi1986]

right so when you have a litter of mainly boys which no one wants in most cases were just meant to keep their prices high??? no offense but thats silly and how you end up with rats you dont want nor can afford to keep ethically so try not to judge on prices some of us just need them gone, now my boys go for £10 each, girls go for between £15 to £40 and i refuse to sell them on their own unless proof of a cage and rat is sent to me

[@FaithfulRattos]

As someone who literally keeps bucks and someone who knows countless people who keep bucks, what are you talking about? I'm not sure why people wouldn't want them compared to does. And I mean, if that's an issue you have, maybe you need to educate people on how bucks aren't worse than does rather than putting the prices up. Sure, you need to recoup costs for raising litters, but you don't need to make a profit, and you certainly shouldn't be valuing some lives more than others.

[@Cheese_Boi1986]

@@FaithfulRattos in the UK it's clearly different I've sold nearly all my girls and only 4 boys I've told people boys are amazing they cuddle more and are just as playful as the girls and if you get them done then they don't mark as much but makes no difference people want the girls here so yeah the boys go for much cheaper

[@Cheese_Boi1986]

@@FaithfulRattos not to mention they were originally bread to be feeders yet I changed my mind after falling in love with them but still I was left with 4 litters of mainly boys....

[@Cheese_Boi1986]

@@FaithfulRattos I even said to people try having a few boys and if you're not happy I'm happy for them to return to me

[@Cheese_Boi1986]

i started breeding feeders recently because i was angry after seeing the majority of feeder breeders keep them in draws or boxes ect but after 4 weeks i decided nope their going to be pets as i fell in love with them i use high nutrition biscuits tho that will change once the majority of the babies are gone its just to expensive to buy the ideal food when you have 40+ rats i also supplement that with fruit and veg 3 times a week all my rats are in cages in my room with me i refuse to store them away from humans or in small confined spaces ive sold 4 so far both time i bring them client into my house and into my room so they can handle and pick which ones they want i didnt have a clue to start with nor did i understand all the different colours or coats but from what ive seen so far im more ethical them most rattaries once their all sold i wont make the same mistake again and get 4 girls pregs instead im going to do it 2 at a time so i can buy the better food

[@JACEVER]

New breeder here, I completely agree with all of these. Ive been looking for breeder tips here on KZbin and am absolutely horrified by what ive been finding.

[@JACEVER]

I do sell feeders HOWEVER this is because I have a snake and I understand the need for ethically bred food for them. The rats I sell for pets are completely separate from the rats I'm selling for feeders. It hasn't happened yet but I am also fully prepared to sell some of my pet rat litters as feeders if there is something wrong with the litter such as health issues, temperament problems, etc...

[@KK-kv3ir]

So I’m getting a rat soon and I’m trying to find a really good diet for a rat. Any tips?

[@FaithfulRattos]

I recommend following the shunamite diet, I have a video about this on my channel. What country are you in?

[@FaithfulRattos]

I also hope you'll be getting at least a pair as rats are NOT solitary animals.

[@KK-kv3ir]

@@FaithfulRattos yes ofc! I am on my way to pick out my Rats!

[@KK-kv3ir]

@@FaithfulRattos I’m in the US.

[@FaithfulRattos]

I recommend looking up the book Scuttling Gourmet and reading it, it's very very helpful for figuring out a good diet for your rats x

[@shellb887]

What is the problem with Harley, Manx, hairless? I’m looking into adopting and am uneducated on unethical varieties, thanks!

[@FaithfulRattos]

@shellb887 harley has quite severe skin issues, especially in the UK. Manx is tailless, so I think that's pretty self explanatory. Hairless can have some genetic health issues depending on the gene causing it, mum tend to have issues lactating and having no fur means they end up with lots of cuts and can get a huge build up of debris on their eyes. Some parts of the world have differing opinions, and in some parts of the world the issues are apparently bred out - but not here in the UK.

[@shellb887]

@@FaithfulRattos do you know what it mean when breeders say they are “working on temperament.” Or specifically, when they say they are holding back some from adoption because they still need to “work on the line.” I’ve seen this on some sites of breeders who are verified by the AFRMA but I wonder if they are keeping all these “non-adoptable” rats and still caring for them

[@FaithfulRattos]

@shellb887 from what I've seen discussed they are 'culling' (euthanising) the ones that don't meet their standard and/or aren't the ones they will be breeding from. Some breeders may be keeping them but I haven't seen much, if any, of that. The breeding landscape is very very different in the US to what it's like over here in the UK.

[@ailurop0da169]

what is a kitten coat, I've tried to google it and struggled to find a clear answer

[@FaithfulRattos]

The first fur they grow in is the kitten coat. It is much softer and fluffier than an adult coat. Depending on the line they will moult into their adult coat at around 6/7 weeks. Still being in their kitten coat is a telltale sign they're too young to be homed out

[@ksfwfc2899]

The fancy should make the information free to everyone.

[@FaithfulRattos]

The breeders list is free... it's on their website

[@justagachakid5529]

Baked beans

[@FaithfulRattos]

What?