Located in Reno, Nevada

I am breeding because of my love for rats and my desire to improve their health, temperament, longevity and conformation through careful pairing. Rats will be available for pets, first and foremost, and may be used as breeders to established ratteries with written permission. I believe that rats make one of the most wonderful pets and can be a great addition to many families. They are intelligent, loving and lots of fun to have! I will only breed once I have an ideal pair and a full waiting list of adopters.

Look at the testimonials to see what past adopters have to say about Ravencharm rat(s).

• Great Pets
• Superior Health
• Outstanding Temperament
• Improved Longevity
• Ideal Conformation

I am breeding in order to produce rats that will make wonderful pets and live long, healthy lives. Rats will also be bred for improved colors, markings and structure...after health, temperament and longevity.

I follow AFRMA Standards. Genetic information is based mostly on the AFRMA, except when they do not provide the information on a specific variety. I am currently working on creating the following bloodlines; they are in their very early stages.

• Siamese Bloodline
• Variegated Bloodline

Breeding Guidelines

• Rats are first, and foremost, pets
• Rat must meet health, temperament and conformation requirements to be considered for breeding
• Bucks are bred no earlier than 12 months (This is my ultimate goal, though I have found bloodline foundation has required earlier buck breeding in order to make the best pairs in terms of temperament and health)
• Does are bred no earlier than 8 months
• A doe will not exceed 2 breedings in her lifetime
• Does who exhibit difficulty while giving birth will be excluded from our breeding program
• Does are given at least 8 weeks after weaning before being bred again
• Rats who exhibit illness or aggression are excluded from my breeding program
• Rat must be in peak physical condition before being bred

Breeding Process

• Pairs are selected based on complimentary features, as to not intensify any one fault
• Buck and doe will be paired when doe comes into heat
• Rats are returned to their colony after breeding
• Doe is moved into nursery on the 20th day from first breeding
• Doe is returned to colony 5 weeks after birth

Litters

• Babies are handled daily to ensure proper socialization with people
• At 5 weeks babies are evaluated for conformation and temperament so I can make my selections
• Those not selected will be avaliable for reservation at 5 weeks of age
• Babies are separated by gender at 5 weeks
• Those that have been reserved are placed with their new homes at 6 weeks
• Selected babies are kept for 12 weeks to determine further temperment and conformation
• Babies who do not make final cut will be avaliable for placement in new homes
• Those who are selected from final cut will be kept as potential breeders

Placing Rats in Homes

• Potential adopters are required to fill out an adoption application
• Applications will be reviewed to determine good homes
• Rats are never placed as feeders
• Rats are placed in pairs unless proof of compatible cage mate is given
• Rats are placed as pet only, meaning they are not to be bred unless written approval is given by me
• Rats are to be returned to Ravencharm Rattery if new home does not work out or if new owner can no longer care for them
• Any rat that does not find a home stays with me, either forever or until a home can be found. I do not cull
• I do not rehome rats that have been used in my breeding program

I'm currently feeding Native Earth 18% Protein 4018 Rodent Diet (Teklad Global 2018). For variety they also recieve a dry mix, as well as fresh fruits and veggies. I give probiotics in the form of baby rice cereal with probiotics added.
The dry mix is: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried fruit (bananas, papaya, golden raisins, raisins, pineapple) and low-sugar toasted whole grain oat cereal.

I have two Midwest Critter Nation® cages, a Double Level (36"L x 24"W x 63"H) and a Single Level (36"L x 24"W x 39"H) combined to make a three story cage and then another Double Level (36"L x 24"W x 63"H), which I use for my main rattery housing. I also have a few smaller cages, which are used for the quarantine of new rats or for a nursery for litters.

The rats also get playtime outside of their cage, which includes fun activities like diving for peas and carrots.