Starting a family

[Tak]

Belated update time

Reg refused point blank to get on with the other boys (to the point of putting a tooth shaped hole in the middle of Vimes back ).
In hindsight, as he had to be denadded because of an attack by another male in which his balls got...erm...well...bitten () it is understandable that he isn't a fan of other males.

As we were something like home number 4 or 5 I was determined from the start that I wouldn't just "palm him off", so as he is neutered we tried him with a friends girls. He was a complete tart and loved having ratty company again so I did what I had said I would never do and started looking for girls....and got two from a rescue though a friend Miss Spiddy AKA Jo (she who I got Cmot from all that time ago).

Intros didn't really take long - they would have been quicker but because I hate hearing the squeaks when they "fight" I panic, even though I know they need to sort out their hierarchy. So Reg now has his harem.

Mic named the girls as he has wanted some for ages and I always seem to name the boys. So we welcomed in Esme and Margrat.

And now for photos:

Reg:








Magrat:


Who is a complete tart:


Esme:


Who is a little madam and terror:


Both are very active and nosey:


And Reg alternates between looking like the cat that got the cream and a condemned prisoner



As for the others, Dibbler and Greebo are looking their age (they are about 26 months now) and Cmot had had a case of scabs which won't heal. We're putting this down to age too as we have no idea how old he actually is

Carrot had to go to the vet for a chest infection a month or so ago and was weighted at about 820g Nobby is also big but nowhere near his brother. We think both have stopped growing now.

Vimes and Errol both got entered into a show last weekend, and while they didn't win any rosettes they were brilliant at the rattie PR and converted several people from "eww" to "aww"
They were poked, handled, stroked, and passed around by strangers with the best of reactions that I could ever hope for, they put up with other rats, and were flaked out and exhausted by the end of the day

[Gnat]

eeeew no way could I let a load of rats crawl all around my furniture like that.

eew

[SidewinderINC]

Originally Posted by Olibubble

eeeew no way could I let a load of rats crawl all around my furniture like that.

eew

we already know you don't like rats, you've said it plenty of times, so did you need to say it for the audience here?

---

How are you getting on with the girlies then?
I remember when I was over last you said that I should get boy rats, can't remember the reason though.

I'd love to get girlies, as I just can't bear to look at the ratsack being dragged behind the males, just puts me right off

They look fantastic Still want some so much, but I don't have anyone here that'd be able to pop in and feed/water/clean them when I go away

[Tak]

The girlies are great, they are much much more active though, need a lot more handling and running around time and need to be watched all the time when they are out which is taking some getting use to.
I am use to the boys who'll just curl up and go to sleep unless there is food about

[SidewinderINC]

That's why you told me to get boys! because they're lazy and where I'm out of the house most of the time they'd be alright hehe

[Gnat]

Originally Posted by SidewinderINC

we already know you don't like rats, you've said it plenty of times, so did you need to say it for the audience here?

Sorry, didnt know it was a rule here that you cant mention your own opinion on something if u have previously ever mentioned it on another unrelated forum.

[Snuggle Ferret]

They are cuties :-)

[Tak]

Originally Posted by SidewinderINC

That's why you told me to get boys! because they're lazy and where I'm out of the house most of the time they'd be alright hehe

You still need to handle them regularly - they should all get at least a half hour run around a day minimum, its just with boys they'll run about for 5 or 10 minutes and then fall asleep

[Tak]

Originally Posted by Snuggle Ferret

They are cuties :-)

Ta

[SidewinderINC]

Originally Posted by Takhisis

You still need to handle them regularly - they should all get at least a half hour run around a day minimum, its just with boys they'll run about for 5 or 10 minutes and then fall asleep

Yeah, I would always get them out everyday

I'd have to get one of the girls from work to come over and sort them out if I was on holiday hehe.