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Old 08-10-2020, 07:10 AM   #71
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: I have done a thing

With pet shops breeding whatever with whatever, there are many colour and marking combos that don't falll into any category standard so tend to just get termed "mismarked X" or "non standard". I like a wonky blaze.. I had a lad who had one that looked like a lightening stripe over his face so called him Potter! But if Inky has a white belly , white paws, dipped tail and is black all on top minus that white stripe on his face, then he is a mismarked blazed berkshire . Lovely lad x
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Old 08-10-2020, 02:16 PM   #72
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Default Re: I have done a thing

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Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice View Post
With pet shops breeding whatever with whatever, there are many colour and marking combos that don't falll into any category standard so tend to just get termed "mismarked X" or "non standard". I like a wonky blaze.. I had a lad who had one that looked like a lightening stripe over his face so called him Potter! But if Inky has a white belly , white paws, dipped tail and is black all on top minus that white stripe on his face, then he is a mismarked blazed berkshire . Lovely lad x
Yes she is and she's coming out of her shell more and more day by day bless her
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Old 09-20-2020, 01:28 PM   #73
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Default Re: I have done a thing

Engel - any Ratty stories or photos for us
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Old 09-24-2020, 12:49 PM   #74
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Engel - any Ratty stories or photos for us
Well, they're doing very well. Splat, who was smaller than Inky is now evenly matched. They're now about 4 months old, 204g and 18" in length. They're litter trained, respond to their names and come when called. I'm going to try trick training for enrichment but I'm going to make a large play pen first. 100% and can be handled by anyone. Healthy appetites and I've moved them onto a mix from rat rations which is the rat equivalent to rodipet.

I only have a up to date photo of splat at the moment but it's so difficult to get a decent photo. I can get a photo of my robo but rats...nope lol.

I've also adapted their cage to a more adult setup . There's still room for more things but I've ran out of stuff.

I bought some materials to make hammocks for them. Would anybody be interested in a step by step guide? Obviously I'll post the finished product but wondering if anyone would be interested in seeing it being 'built'.

(Btw the big blue thing in the cage is a 16" wheel)
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Old 09-24-2020, 01:13 PM   #75
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Default Re: I have done a thing

They're lovely. I have two rats staying with me at the moment. The trouble is, the cage has those big plastic shelves which they pee on so they do smell a bit. How much do rats really smell providing they have a good cage layout, the right diet etc?
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Old 09-24-2020, 01:42 PM   #76
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They're lovely. I have two rats staying with me at the moment. The trouble is, the cage has those big plastic shelves which they pee on so they do smell a bit. How much do rats really smell providing they have a good cage layout, the right diet etc?
Ugh those plastic shelves stink really quickly and normally people don't bother with them.

I spot clean every other day like with Hans. Wipe wheels and removed soiled litter. Change hammocks weekly and change substrate every 2-3 weeks.

I clean the cage with unscented sensitive washing up liquid and the hammocks in non bio with some white vinegar. I have an air purifier too but it's hardly on tbh.

In short if they're kept well and on decent food, they don't smell. Rats themselves don't smell but their environment. So if it smells, it's because of husbandry rather than the animal itself if that makes sense. 0 smell, rats smell lovely, like biscuits.

What's the setup like? Might be able to give pointers if it's smelling. (Starting with removing them shelves. They suck and make more work. Replace with ropes and hammocks).
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Old 09-24-2020, 02:13 PM   #77
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Default Re: I have done a thing

I'll attach a photo of the cage. I knew the shelves were an issue. Once I had washed their fabric house and scrubbed the shelves and wheel they smelt fine so it is definitely the environment, not the rats themselves. They weren't very happy with me for scrubbing everything but a few treats later, all was forgiven!

They're going home on Saturday so there's no point making any changes now but it will be good to know any cage tips for the future.
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Old 09-24-2020, 03:15 PM   #78
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I'll attach a photo of the cage. I knew the shelves were an issue. Once I had washed their fabric house and scrubbed the shelves and wheel they smelt fine so it is definitely the environment, not the rats themselves. They weren't very happy with me for scrubbing everything but a few treats later, all was forgiven!

They're going home on Saturday so there's no point making any changes now but it will be good to know any cage tips for the future.
Are you pet sitting for friend or family, someone you know well which don't mind advice? There's just a few things I would change. Feel free to show them mine if they're open to it. I can upload better photos if you'd like.

That cage which I think is the Freddy 2 is 11 cubic feet. Mine is slightly smaller at 9.5 cubic feet. I do a proper clean out once a month. (Get everything out for a good scrub and replace substrate. Ect) I could probably leave it longer as it doesn't smell but as I scatter feed, any old bits of food could be in there.

-Remove the shelves.
-Add hammock's can be bought or made, aldis have some fat quarters in at the moment.
-only use the litter in the litter box. Use bedmax or little max as main substrate. The rats can learn to only toilet on litter but if the whole cage is litter they'll go everywhere. Also fill the whole base up to the rim for digging enrichment.
- add ropes for dogs and hang in the cage for climbing enrichment.
- that wheel isn't big enough! It's only 12". Minimum of 14" for does, 16" is best as it suits both.
- get rid of the food bowl and scatter feed.
- have at least one water source per rat.

What food are they on out of curiosity?
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Old 09-24-2020, 03:36 PM   #79
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Default Re: I have done a thing

I board animals (birds and rodents) as a part-time job.

Thanks for all the information. I generally find ways to slip in advice during ordinary conversation unless it's something really harmful (fluffy bedding etc) in which case I will bring it up purposefully. I plan to acquire a rat cage to keep here at some point so owners don't have to transport the huge cages (I do this for guinea pigs and gerbils already) so all your tips are useful.

They're on the Science Selective Pellets.
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Old 09-24-2020, 04:22 PM   #80
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Default Re: I have done a thing

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I board animals (birds and rodents) as a part-time job.

Thanks for all the information. I generally find ways to slip in advice during ordinary conversation unless it's something really harmful (fluffy bedding etc) in which case I will bring it up purposefully. I plan to acquire a rat cage to keep here at some point so owners don't have to transport the huge cages (I do this for guinea pigs and gerbils already) so all your tips are useful.

They're on the Science Selective Pellets.
Ah I see. I would suggest the Coco cage. It can hold 6 rats and is highly recommended. It's on my little warehouse or something.

Dog ropes attached to the cage with shower hooks and a washable and cheap option. DIY hammocks are easy so if you wanted to stock up on them.

I'd get some harkamectin which is for birds but also rats. It does parasites so if lice becomes an issue which often happens when kept on carefresh.

Rats don't need to be weaned onto different foods, they adapt very quickly. I don't know if you keep food at yours for the pets or if the owners bring food but rat rations ISA mixes are very good coupled with calcivet (or cuttlefish bones) and Dr squiggles daily essentials.

Science selective was considered the best food but has since changed recipes and is high in wheat. Wheat is harsh on kidneys which is a weak point on rats. A lot elderly rats have kidney issues. So generally advised a low wheat diet throughout their lives. All rat ration pre mixes contain little to no wheat.

Idk if you know that rat 'tears' are red known as pophrin. More about that and a lot of other things here:
Health Guide: Porphyrin Secretions / Red Tears
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