[Poppyseed]

I think as a whole this community is against back yard breeding and excessive breeding in general. YET we have a rat breeding section as a large part of the forum. Lots of oops litters go there, which is great but it seems some people happen along and see a section called 'rat breeding' and think yes it's great it's alright to just go and breed my rats and these people can help.

Yet most of the forum don't WANT to invite that kind of spur of the moment breeding. So why don't we change the rat breeding section to something like 'oops litters' or 'baby rats' or something like that? And possible post a sticky in that very forum that says READ BEFORE YOU BREED! And list the forums stance against back yard breeding as well as why you SHOULDN'T breed!

I just get tired of repeating myself over and over again about why you shouldn't just throw a male and female animal together and then have babies! I think other members would agree that this is a necessity.

 

[mopydream44]

I think the addition of a folder or sticky with the name "Care for Baby Rats" or "Accidental Litters" would be a good idea. When I first joined this forum I thought that the breeding folder was for people who wanted information on breeding and selling their animals not for "oops litters."

I was a bit unsure if people would be upset if I posted about my "oops litter" there, and I considered posting in another forum. I ultimately decided on the breeding folder because i was positive people would know the right advice in that folder.

Since I've gotten to know the forum a lot better, I realize now that many of the posts are about accidental litters. So I think it would be a positive change.

I still think there should be a breeding section for people who want to do it correctly (i.e. research, preparation, mentor, and months perhaps years of serious consideration) but perhaps it doesn't have to be as big of a topic as it has been because there should be a relatively small amount of people who fit this description? I dunno........

 

[Vixie]

I agree, change the topic and put some stickies.

But as far as still having a 'breeding' folder, I say no. We don't have have reputable breeders as a part of our forum so we can't offer that, and it would still be sending the message that it's okay to just breed rats haphazzardly because of that face that we don't have true breeders on here.

 

[mopydream44]

We don't have have reputable breeders as a part of our forum

oh wow. I thought we had a few professional breeders on here.........i dunno why 8O

in that case i'd say take down the breeding section, and if people want the information they can be referred to a website or something.

I also really like the read before you breed idea Poppyseed. It's sad but honestly there isn't much demand for pet rats, and that leaves many rats without homes! I can't say i'd repeat this process purposefully and willingly. I mean it's a full time job for real! 8O

 

[Poppyseed]

There are a couple here that claim to be professional breeders but are really back yard breeders sadly :/

 

[mopydream44]

I'm beginning to see your point more and more it seems as though people are willing to breed willy nilly everywhere!!! I was REALLY lucky that my penny didn't need emergency care for her pregnancy...I can't imagine that fee on top of the extra cages, food, bedding, toys, treats ect. ect.

I may not know much about professional breeders but I KNOW that they have vets lined up!!!! I dunno I've been pretty forlorn about what I've been reading as of late!

People who want to breed properly, would probably get all of their information straight from a reputable breeder!

I def. think changing the name to "Care for Accidental Litters" would be a positive change

 

[ladylady]

I think-
have a "care of accidental litters section" and
"Proffesional breeders discusson"
sticky a pregancy (nutrition, behaiviourect), a birth(including vets), post birth(sexing ect),

sticky for "how to become a breeder" "genetics" "ethics"
I think we could do with a few more stickies
"biting and agression" "intros" "common illnesses" "housing basics"

 

[Sky14]

I back this with all my heart!!!!!!

I did a little "backyard breeding" a few years back but I did ALOT of research first and I still had a few small problems.......

Anyway I think this is all a very VERY good idea!!!

 

[camel24j]

i honestly dont see the point in having that section at all all oops litters could go in the health section or it could stay and only have stickys in it on what you all have said that way people can read the info and at least one sticky should say if you are really interested in breeding to seek out a mentor blah blah blah. ok im done.

 

[ambernd]

well please do NOT take it down!!! this helps so many people its unreal. I agree that the overall title of "rat breeding" should be changed because after i saw that I bred my rats thinking everyone thought it way ok. You should change it to "pinkies" or "babies" or something like that but please do not take it down. And again it helped me out more than any other website about breeding did.

 

[RFAdmin]

ok so a new title might be in order. so what new name would be better?

 

[ambernd]

say just put it as "babies" or "litters" or something like that just not rat breeding. As soon as I saw that title I automaticly thought it was ok to breed without even reading some topics in there.

 

[savveth]

I think we should rename the forum to poppyseeds idea: "Think Before You Breed"

 

[SamsterAndRocky]

i concur

 

[mopydream44]

I like the idea of using "Think Before You Breed" as a sticky
I like the name Care For Accidental Litters or Oops Litter Information.... something like that!

 

[ambernd]

ok yea i guess "Think Before you Breed" is better than my idea....ratman? mods?

 

[ladylady]

ok yea i guess "Think Before you Breed" is better than my idea....ratman? mods?

Yes, that is perfect

 

[RFAdmin]

ok its been updated to "Think Before you Breed"

 

[ambernd]

thank you!

 

[RFAdmin]

np your're welcome