Hi all. To start, like some others I'll be breeding for feeders, but that doesn't mean that I'll not treat my rats quite well. Anyways, I LIKE my new babies!

My husband and I are good friends with one of the owners of a local Pet Land, and he was breeding dumbos and selling at $12 each through the store. We got 6 for $2 each, and we're going to be breeding for them (so they don't have to mess with them anymore - the mom is MEAN since she's not been socialized). They are 5-days weaned, and REALLY fun!

They are a couple days early of the males "dropping" so as to tell if they are males, but Blaze already dropped and the others show no signs (got them Saturday). SO I think the other 5 are girls...

I presently have them in a 18"x18"x24" tall glass cage (front swinging doors) with a water dish, food bowl, treats, two hampster wheels and home-made cotton stuffed animal toy to sleep with/on or tear apart if they desire. This Friday they will be moved into larger quarters - for now, they fit nicely and are hopping around and playing constantly. They also each get 20-30 minutes out to play each day with us for socialization.

My present problem is these babies are all starting to nip. Put your hand in, they ALL come over to investigate, nip finger tips, and climb up! I like everything except the nipping. What should I di about it?

Here are my other questions: What is a good set up for my situation? I want to make sure they have enough room to be happy, not just enough to keep them breeding. Eventually just for my snakes, I'll need 12 females breeding on a 5-week cycle (or 15 on a 6 week cycle), and plan on keeping Blaze busy with them rotating. Should I keep 2-3 girls per cage and just rotate Blaze around to the girls as needed for breeding? Also, should I make sure he's not in a cage with babies ever?

I want all my non-food rats to be well socialized so as not to be nippy when I play with their babies, as well as for outreach to the public occasionally so as they are not scared of such interesting creatures.

Any suggestions about what I should do for them? Thanks for any advice!

ps - Blaze and three girls are black-masked with some white on their heads, with white body and black splotches. Two girls are black except for their bellies and a little on their sides. The black-backed are unnamed so far, but the other three girls are Crook (crooked blaze on her face), Beauty, and Splotches (looks much like Beauty, but her back is more sploched with black). Pics as soon as I find my camera - just finished moving this week too!

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