Congratulations on your newest additions. Any questions you have I will be happy to answer. I have several years of experience with rats and have been breeding for a few years as well. I currently have 24? (lol, need to do a thorough check) ratties, various ages. I also have a three week old litter. One of the babies can be seen in my avitar. I do breed. The ratties in my sig are my boy Meekos son (the fawn dumbo) and Cheeky, a dumbo Russian Blue possum faced buck whom I rescued.


I am glad you did not take just the one ratty, as ratties are very social and crave companionship. Are all the rats the same age? If one can fit through most likely all three can. Chicken wire around the cage will work until they grow large enough to not be able to fit through the bars. How big is the wire spacing in the cage?


The Skittish ones should come around after daily handling. You can try forced socialization, which is taking them out and holding them for 15 minutes until their fear dies out. In about two weeks, a lot of the time sooner, they should be unafraid and want to cuddle kiss and lick you. If this doesn't work it could be genetic. I am assuming these are feeder rats? The parents are not bred for health and temperament so it is a possibility, but something you shouldn't worry about until you have worked with these guys for a little bit.


Any other questions? Just shoot away!