Incantation Rattery

30/07/2025

I love getting updates from adopters!
Two boys from last years litters with their little nephews, so nice to see them settled together.
Thank you Amethyst ❤️

28/07/2025

Eyes are open 👀

27/07/2025

Congratulations Kendra & Panu!

9 born yesterday the 26/07.
Boy heavy at 6 with only 3 girls.

One little boy is struggling, he has a milk band and has made a good few solid squeaks but he’s a lot smaller and paler than his siblings.
I’m going to leave him with mum for a few days so he has the chance to get as much colostrum as possible, if he’s still struggling I’ll hand raise and hope for the best.

Kendra is doing great ❤️

25/07/2025

Definitely time for some new hammocks…again…but boy are they cute when they stick their little snoots out!!

21/07/2025

How cute are they 🥹
Harriet (Agouti Chinchilla) Bindi (Argente Self) & Candi (Mismarked Mink Odd Eyed) during their cage clean today.

20/07/2025

Ratty health check all owners know:

Scabs & sores often indicate mites which can be treated with Kitten/Puppy Revolution, one drop on the back of the neck usually clears up brake outs.
Scabs & sores can also indicate a bacterial infection, especially those of a larger type that don’t respond to treatment of Revolution in which case a vet assessment is needed.

Smooth ears free from lumps (if lumps are present, this is a sign of mites), no odor should be present, if there is it could indicate an ear infection which also warrants a vet assessment.

Lumps & bumps usually indicate tumours or abcesses.

Bright eyes means no squinting or discharge (Porphyrin-reddish liquid), squinting is a sign of pain and excess Porphyrin is usually a sign of illness, pupils should be black with no cloudy patches (potential cataract, trauma of the eye if present), blood/red tinge & swelling needs vet treatment asap as usually indicates tumour in or behind the eye, it could also be underlying abscess causing too much pressure.

Swelling of the eye or eyes is fairly common for brain tumours.

Clear breathing meaning no sneezing or honking, excess Porphyrin from the nose can indicate illness.

Bottom incisors should align comfortably with the top ones and be no longer than 7mm, they should align straightly and not off to the side as this can indicate malocclusion which will need trimming by an experienced vet.

Any blood or discharge within the ge***al area needs a vet trip asap, males when older or where mobility is limited it’s important to check daily for p***s plugs which is the build up of secretion causing a wax like plug which needs to be gently removed to stop infection happening due to not being able to toilet properly.

*This is just a general overview on common rat issues*

20/07/2025

Angelina has settled and is back to herself ❤️

We have little twins both with left neck spots and majority of the litter is rex x velour (I think), I initially thought I only had Rex (other than Standard) but the coats and whiskers have slightly varied.

It’s definitely not Selkirk as that’s a coat I’m fairly familiar with and since we don’t have an array of types here and the plushness plus looseness of the curls in the fur and the long wavy whiskers I’m leaning towards Velour.

I’m new to coats so this is all quite interesting and I’m excited to see the development of these little guys.

15/07/2025

Freshly cleaned!
Just having a brake sitting on the bed with the baby girls climbing all over me, I think all the babies are super excited and more than ready to go to their new homes over the coming week!

13/07/2025

6 girls & 4 boys arrived on the 11th, was hoping for extra girls and here they are!
All babies are pink & ruby eyed.

Angelina is a little sensitive emotionally at the moment so I’m giving her extra space and won’t interfere too much.
She came out for a quick cuddle whilst I took this photo and gave me a few squeaks letting me know she’s uncomfortable, I had a quick look over her and nothing looks a miss so I think she’s just a bit delicate being a new mum.

Poor little mite 🥺

10/07/2025

The “remaining boys” didn’t stay remaining for long but here’s some photos anyway just because they’re cute!
All boys are now on hold to be placed with wonderful people.
A cheeky photo of Larry who was rescued last year with his new little mates too 🥰

And curtesy to Alice, a fellow rat lover and friend who had some of the boys until they became of age to leave 🤗

09/07/2025

There is a communal hoarding place here, its been very much loved and the chosen spot for many rats both girls and boys to place their beloved snacks and it continues to grow day by day 😅

It’s a bit of a smelly nest but they’ve worked incredibly hard to make sure there’s plenty of goodies to be shared around, every free roam a select few have been appointed to make sure to take snacks from their designated cage and skilfully run up this post to add to their treasure trove for others to enjoy.

It tends to fill up quite fast and I’m sure they’re never impressed when they find it’s either been placed back in their cage or thrown out at the end of the week!

We have one of our older rescue girls Booka to thank for starting the trend many moons ago!

08/07/2025

A well written post and reminder why 8 weeks or older is the general standard for rat babies to leave 👏🏼

Why do I wait until 8 weeks or older to adopt out my babies?

Not all breeders will. Some will, some will home them younger.
Here is why I prefer to wait:

Baby rats typically begin to wean around three weeks old, when their eyes and ears open up, and they discover food and the world around them. As they begin to eat more solid food, they nurse from their mother less, however they're not typically fully weaned until about four to five weeks old.

It is important to their emotional and physical development to allow them to nurse until weaning takes place. This allows them to develop a stronger immune system, contributing to their overall health and well-being. Being with their mother longer also helps them develop crucial social skills and behaviours that they will need to effectively become part of their future mischief and get along with other rats. Early separation from their mother and litter mates can cause stress and even health issues, and should, in my opinion, be avoided. Rats should be encouraged to thrive, not just exist, and allowing them to wean properly contributes to this.

Early separation can lead to shyness or even aggression, as it limits their ability to learn social skills at a crucial time in their development. They need this time to learn to interact with other rats and know their place in the social hierarchy that all rat mischiefs employ. Allowing them to stay with their litter mates until 8 weeks also tends to reduce stress when rehoming, therefore it is of utmost importance when adopting young rats that they be homed in pairs or trios, as they MUST have same-aged company for their emotional well-being and social and behavioural development.

I believe it is of great importance to give young rats the best start in life that I can.
Therefore, I do not rehome any rats prior to 8 weeks of age, and sometimes older.

**Pic of WTCH Persy being smothered in kisses for tax**