Homing Questions
No, I am not the same as a pet shop. I hold a waiting list for prospective owners who have completed an application form and as I breed as a hobby for myself, I only breed a couple of times per year. This means there could be a wait of 3-6+ months before I have kittens available.
How many kittens can I have?
I home out kittens in pairs or trios only. If you already have rats then I would be happy to home out a pair. However if you do not have any rats, I will only home kittens in a trio. The reason for this is because I find the group dynamics are much better with at least three rats as they can form a wider variety of relationships. It also means you don't run the possibility of having a lone rat if one suddenly dies. There's a bit of ongoing debate about pair vs. trio and I'm not saying that a pair on it's own is a big no-no - just that I'm more comfortable homing trios at this moment in time.
How many kittens can I have?
I home out kittens in pairs or trios only. If you already have rats then I would be happy to home out a pair. However if you do not have any rats, I will only home kittens in a trio. The reason for this is because I find the group dynamics are much better with at least three rats as they can form a wider variety of relationships. It also means you don't run the possibility of having a lone rat if one suddenly dies. There's a bit of ongoing debate about pair vs. trio and I'm not saying that a pair on it's own is a big no-no - just that I'm more comfortable homing trios at this moment in time.
Can I choose my kittens?
No. After picking the kittens that I am going to keep, if there are others available for pet homing then I will choose which homes they go to. Although prospective owners may see photos/videos of the litter on social media and have preferences, I am the one who will have spent 8 weeks with them so I will know which kittens are best suited to you.
No. After picking the kittens that I am going to keep, if there are others available for pet homing then I will choose which homes they go to. Although prospective owners may see photos/videos of the litter on social media and have preferences, I am the one who will have spent 8 weeks with them so I will know which kittens are best suited to you.
How much are your kittens?
My kittens are £50 a pair or £75 a trio. They are all the same price regardless of variety/ear placement. This homing fee helps me to recover some of the cost involved in raising kittens but does not mean that I make a profit. All money I get goes towards the rats in food, bedding, toys and vet costs.
How do I apply to be on your waiting list?
Please fill in an online form here. If you have any problems, or wish to discuss things further, you can contact me via the Roman Rattery page on Facebook or by email at romanrattery@gmail.com
Why do you use an application form?
Application forms are common practice for the majority of reputable breeders in the UK. If they don't have a form, it's likely that they'll have some other way of asking questions. The application form helps to ensure that my rats are going to good homes with people that fully understand their needs. It also allows to me to see where individuals are at in terms of their experience and knowledge so that I can provide advice or recommendations where necessary. The form isn't a test, but a way of opening up discussion. Most of the completed forms that I receive are not 'perfect', however if the individual has been accepting of my advice then I am happy to put them on the waiting list.
My kittens are £50 a pair or £75 a trio. They are all the same price regardless of variety/ear placement. This homing fee helps me to recover some of the cost involved in raising kittens but does not mean that I make a profit. All money I get goes towards the rats in food, bedding, toys and vet costs.
How do I apply to be on your waiting list?
Please fill in an online form here. If you have any problems, or wish to discuss things further, you can contact me via the Roman Rattery page on Facebook or by email at romanrattery@gmail.com
Why do you use an application form?
Application forms are common practice for the majority of reputable breeders in the UK. If they don't have a form, it's likely that they'll have some other way of asking questions. The application form helps to ensure that my rats are going to good homes with people that fully understand their needs. It also allows to me to see where individuals are at in terms of their experience and knowledge so that I can provide advice or recommendations where necessary. The form isn't a test, but a way of opening up discussion. Most of the completed forms that I receive are not 'perfect', however if the individual has been accepting of my advice then I am happy to put them on the waiting list.
Breeding Questions
What varieties do you breed?
I am currently breeding two lines. My first line is Topaz in dumbo and top ear. My second line is Variegated in rex and standard coat, however in these litters I can also get Berkshire and Capped kittens.
At what age do you breed your rats?
Does are usually at least 8 months old, though I have bred them a couple of months later than this. The reason I choose to wait until this age is so it gives the girls time to fully develop and allows me to monitor their health for a good period of time before breeding. It also means I can have nice breaks in between litters - lots of babies are hard work! Bucks are generally bred at an older age to the does, unless I need to use them sooner due to them being the best option, or having limited options to choose from.
How many times do you breed them?
Most of my does have only one litter, however if a doe produces an amazing litter, or if I didn't quite get what I needed the first time, some will be bred twice. If this is the case, I always ensure they have a decent break between the first and second litter, and that their health and overall condition is still very good.
How many litters do you breed at a time?
When pairing, I always pair two or three does at the same time. The reason for this is so that I have options for keepers, and so I have a foster mum/s if needed. However, pairing multiple rats does not mean I will get lots of kittens. Not every pairing will be successful and even if it is, litter sizes can vary dramatically.
Other...
Why shouldn't I just go to a pet shop?
You will find that pet shops usually source their rats from rodent mills (although they obviously don't advertise this side of things!). In rodent mills the rats are kept in cramped cages with no enrichment and does are bred continuously from a young age. The health and temperament of the rats is not being monitored, nor are they being handled regularly. Their only aim is to supply pet shops with as many animals as possible. When getting rats from a pet shop, you are taking a huge risk as you've no idea what the rat is going to be like. You may end up with a rat that hates to be handled and is constantly unwell. The health and temperament of my rats is carefully monitored by myself with the rats that I keep, and through six monthly updates from pet homes. I also offer lifetime support and will take back any of the rats I bred if circumstances change.
You will find that pet shops usually source their rats from rodent mills (although they obviously don't advertise this side of things!). In rodent mills the rats are kept in cramped cages with no enrichment and does are bred continuously from a young age. The health and temperament of the rats is not being monitored, nor are they being handled regularly. Their only aim is to supply pet shops with as many animals as possible. When getting rats from a pet shop, you are taking a huge risk as you've no idea what the rat is going to be like. You may end up with a rat that hates to be handled and is constantly unwell. The health and temperament of my rats is carefully monitored by myself with the rats that I keep, and through six monthly updates from pet homes. I also offer lifetime support and will take back any of the rats I bred if circumstances change.
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