| About |
Housing:
All of my rats are housed in powder-coated Martin's cages that are appropriately
sized for the number of rats living in them, according to the rat cage calculator. I
feel strongly that these are the best cages for all ages of rats. The rat-specific
cages feature 1" x 1/2" bar spacing and double-latched doors, and are escape proof
for even the smallest of rats.
My rats are provided with lots of different houses, hammocks and toys in their
cages. These items are changed weekly. I use a solution of vinegar, dish soap and
water to clean all cages and accessories, and everything is fully dried before being
reassembled.
The only beddings I use are Yesterday's News, Aspen shavings and occasionally
Soft Sorbent. I do not, nor will I ever, use Pine, Cedar or Carefresh beddings.
* If you would like to see our cages, please check out the Virtual Tour!
Feeding:
My rats are currently being fed a variation of Suebee's mix, which is a mixture of
cereals, grains, pastas, and a high-quality dog food. I do change out the ingredients
of the mix every month for variety.
In addition to my rat mix, I also feed Harlan Teklad lab blocks. I use the 2018
version for adult rats, and the 8604 version for pregnant and nursing mothers as
well as young rats.
I also offer fresh fruits and vegetables daily for all of my rats. They also occasionally
receive other treats, such as whole wheat bread, cooked pasta and rice, yogurt and
home-made dog treats.
* For more information on my rat mix, please check out the Feeding Time page!
Playtime:
I normally allow my rats out to play for a minimum of one hour every day. When
they are out for playtime, they are normally allowed to roam around on their play
table, which has many toys and houses to play in. I also keep their cages up on
tables, which allows me to open the doors and let them come and go as they please.
They are also handled daily, which allows me to do regular health checks on
everyone.
All of my rats are housed in powder-coated Martin's cages that are appropriately
sized for the number of rats living in them, according to the rat cage calculator. I
feel strongly that these are the best cages for all ages of rats. The rat-specific
cages feature 1" x 1/2" bar spacing and double-latched doors, and are escape proof
for even the smallest of rats.
My rats are provided with lots of different houses, hammocks and toys in their
cages. These items are changed weekly. I use a solution of vinegar, dish soap and
water to clean all cages and accessories, and everything is fully dried before being
reassembled.
The only beddings I use are Yesterday's News, Aspen shavings and occasionally
Soft Sorbent. I do not, nor will I ever, use Pine, Cedar or Carefresh beddings.
* If you would like to see our cages, please check out the Virtual Tour!
Feeding:
My rats are currently being fed a variation of Suebee's mix, which is a mixture of
cereals, grains, pastas, and a high-quality dog food. I do change out the ingredients
of the mix every month for variety.
In addition to my rat mix, I also feed Harlan Teklad lab blocks. I use the 2018
version for adult rats, and the 8604 version for pregnant and nursing mothers as
well as young rats.
I also offer fresh fruits and vegetables daily for all of my rats. They also occasionally
receive other treats, such as whole wheat bread, cooked pasta and rice, yogurt and
home-made dog treats.
* For more information on my rat mix, please check out the Feeding Time page!
Playtime:
I normally allow my rats out to play for a minimum of one hour every day. When
they are out for playtime, they are normally allowed to roam around on their play
table, which has many toys and houses to play in. I also keep their cages up on
tables, which allows me to open the doors and let them come and go as they please.
They are also handled daily, which allows me to do regular health checks on
everyone.
Rat Care
| This page includes information about how my Rodentry is run and how my rats are cared for. |
About The Rodentry
Serendipity Rodentry was started at the very end of 2004. I lived in Georgia at
that time, and had been very interested in becoming a breeder of pedigreed pet
rats for quite some time. With the help of two other breeders, Phoenix Gate of
GA and BellaRatta's Nest of FL, I obtained pedigreed rats to start my breeding
program. I had quite a few successful litters, outstanding rats and wonderful
adopters - all was going well.
Then at the end of 2006, life happened, as they say. I had meant to only take a
few months off of breeding to re-evaluate my breeding program and start back
up, but those few months turned into just over a year. At that point, the lines I
had worked with were basically lost, so I decided to start over with all new lines -
and some very interesting new varieties as well.
The Rodentry is now located in Newark, Delaware and thanks to a couple of
wonderful fellow breeders - Cama Rattery of CO and Paper Heart Rattery of NJ,
SERR is now back up and running.
Please continue on to find out how things are done around here. :)
that time, and had been very interested in becoming a breeder of pedigreed pet
rats for quite some time. With the help of two other breeders, Phoenix Gate of
GA and BellaRatta's Nest of FL, I obtained pedigreed rats to start my breeding
program. I had quite a few successful litters, outstanding rats and wonderful
adopters - all was going well.
Then at the end of 2006, life happened, as they say. I had meant to only take a
few months off of breeding to re-evaluate my breeding program and start back
up, but those few months turned into just over a year. At that point, the lines I
had worked with were basically lost, so I decided to start over with all new lines -
and some very interesting new varieties as well.
The Rodentry is now located in Newark, Delaware and thanks to a couple of
wonderful fellow breeders - Cama Rattery of CO and Paper Heart Rattery of NJ,
SERR is now back up and running.
Please continue on to find out how things are done around here. :)
My main breeding goals are excellent health and temperaments, which aid in
producing wonderful rats that easily integrate into their new homes. While my main
goals are for health and temperament, I do also take into account colors, markings,
coat types and ear sets when choosing potential mates for a certain breeding. My
main focus is on producing pet-quality rats, but it is entirely possible that some
show-quality rats will be included in some litters.
Females are only bred after they are 6 months of age, and up to 1 year old. Males
are usually bred any time after they reach 6 months old. Normally, females would
only be bred once in their lifetime, though their may be incidences where a female
may be bred twice if she is exceptional.
Babies are handled starting on their date of birth and every day after. I monitor my
litters closely, and every baby is health checked daily to ensure he/she is
progressing as he/she should. Once the babies are about 2 weeks old and their
eyes are opening, they are supplemented with mushy foods - oatmeal, baby food
and baby cereals, to aid in their transition to solid foods. By the time the babies are
5 weeks old, they are fully weaned, separated out by gender and ready for their
new homes.
I closely follow the AFRMA Responsible Breeder's Code of Ethics in my breeding
program, and my Rodentry and all breeding rats are registered with the North
American Rat Registry.
producing wonderful rats that easily integrate into their new homes. While my main
goals are for health and temperament, I do also take into account colors, markings,
coat types and ear sets when choosing potential mates for a certain breeding. My
main focus is on producing pet-quality rats, but it is entirely possible that some
show-quality rats will be included in some litters.
Females are only bred after they are 6 months of age, and up to 1 year old. Males
are usually bred any time after they reach 6 months old. Normally, females would
only be bred once in their lifetime, though their may be incidences where a female
may be bred twice if she is exceptional.
Babies are handled starting on their date of birth and every day after. I monitor my
litters closely, and every baby is health checked daily to ensure he/she is
progressing as he/she should. Once the babies are about 2 weeks old and their
eyes are opening, they are supplemented with mushy foods - oatmeal, baby food
and baby cereals, to aid in their transition to solid foods. By the time the babies are
5 weeks old, they are fully weaned, separated out by gender and ready for their
new homes.
I closely follow the AFRMA Responsible Breeder's Code of Ethics in my breeding
program, and my Rodentry and all breeding rats are registered with the North
American Rat Registry.
Breeding
| About SERR |