We're (hopefully) having twins guys!

[Hope]

I vote Buzz and Woody too!

[kazmac]

Buying separate elements of a mix to make your own food isn't expensive, really. And it usually lasts a while. But a quality commercial rat food will do with fruit & veg now and again to supplement and some protein occasionally too.
Good ideas too on that link you posted.

They shouldn't scrap for food. If they've not done it before now, they shouldn't do it now. Rats usually share really well, although there can be a bit of good natured competition at the food dish!

If they bite when you put your hand in the cage, just open the door and invite them to come to you. A treat of some kind usually does the trick!
But they really shouldn't do that.
Keep an eye on why they squeak when you pick them up. It might be that they only do that inside the cage too. See what they're like once you invite them out.

But you're right - time and patience will pay off. They need ime to learn to trust you.

And there's no reason why you can't train them, even at a year old. Again, treats usually help a lot!!

Have you got them home today then??

[Amethyst_ice]

nope tomorrow evening she wants us to come after her children have gone to bed so they dont get upset.

Im a bit worried they may have injuries if the squak when picked up but she sounds responsible and im hopin it might just be a little shock squeek.

Im gonna get that 3 tier cage, just waiting till we get them in case something goes wrong lol

do you not reccomend the pellets then?

xxxx soo excited!!!! xxxx

[snaisby]

Hey there

i don't post very often as i haven't got hammies at the mo - i enjoy reading threads now and again though i am very much more a rat person however! they are the best pets i've ever had, i currently have 4 boys living together, 2 are 18months and 2 are new babies, 8 weeks old and soooo cute <3 i've attached a couple of pics!

i use the Fancy Rats forum all the time, it's a really friendly and active community. i'd definitely recommend joining up, we always love to see pics of new ratties it's full of info and tips, as well as people showing off pics and stories about their rats.

there are some great articles here about various aspects of rat care. pelleted food is not recommended, because rats are naturally omnivores who eat a great variety of things, and they are highly intelligent - pellets are just too boring for them! i make up my own rat mix, similar to kazmac, and it doesn't work out any more expensive than shop food per kg because you just make up a large quantity and it lasts ages. here's a good article about making your own mix up. it's great fun to see the rats enjoying something you've mixed up too, very satisfying

looks like your two new boys are siamese dumbos (and very handsome ones too!), they are probably full grown at one year old. dumbos don't grow any bigger than normal eared (called 'top eared') rats, they are exactly the same species, it's just that their ears are in a slightly different position. one of my boys is a dumbo too.

the cage you're getting is a great size for 2 rats, its alled a critter 3 usually. some people find that style quite annoying though because it rusts easily, can be hard to put together and tends to have sharp edges. if you wanted ideas for other cages, second hand or new, perhaps post on the habitat section of the rat forum and people would be happy to help suggest some there may be a suitable one in the market place section over there too.

well done for taking on these boys, sounds like they haven't had the best start in life so you're doing a great thing for them. really hope you consider joining the Fancy Rats community, hopefully see you over there!

feel free to PM me if you want to ask anything

Sarah xx

All 4 boys together


Their cage


My dumbo, Dexter


Exploring in the bathroom

[kazmac]

My rats' diet is also based on Alison Campbell's Shunamite diet.
Details of that can be found on her website Shunamite Rats
It also lists suitable cereals to use in it (low sugar ones).

The bedding in those photos looks like Bed Xcel (a recycled cardboard horse bedding) which is what I use for all our small furries.

Amethyst - I have sent you another PM.

[fluffymunchkins]

glad your going for that cage it should be great
Dexters adorable face made me smile!

[wofunny]

:0 its thursday evening..... any news?? x

[Amethyst_ice]

Originally Posted by wofunny

:0 its thursday evening..... any news?? x

Hehe is everyone as eexcited as me? hehe

lady said after 7.30 to get her kids to bed so hopefully will have them back by 9..its about a half hour drive away..ooooooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fluffymunchkins]

we really are

[Amethyst_ice]

Haha ive had lots of PM's with advice and cages so thanks guys

ive been curled up on couch all day with my crohns again, stressing over my exam sat but finally my doc from home sad she'll do me a note off work for a week and she wont charge! So it means i can chill out and destress the next 2 weeks..have an infusion then start my 3 week placement in an archaeological unit Hopefully uni will let me take the exam in August.

so one thing off the shoulders...just dreading my bank account after these ratties get spoiled rotten! Hoping i can tame them and gain their trust as quickly as i did with my hammy boys..fingers crossed

btw. buzz and woody is seeming pretty cool with me and the bf now..but we need to see what they are like..and if we can tell them apart!