The BB Rats Crew
Below you will see pictures and descriptions of the rats we have here at Black Baccara Rattery. Please note, I only add "Genotype" information for my own purposes, but if you're into this too then welcome fellow genetics geek :)
The Boys
Rocket 🚀
Introducing Black Baccara’s Rocket.
Colour: Russian Blue
Ear Type: Dumbo
Fur Type: Rex
Markings: Berkshire
Eye Colour: Black
He was the runt of a huge litter and I was not confident enough to rehome him as he wasn’t gaining as much weight as the others. He was left on his own but has now joined the big boys and has really come out of his shell thanks to my Sam who is looking after him very well (love my Sambo) ❤️
Rocket is a wonderful healthy little boy and I am very glad I got to keep him. Interesting to see if he is able to grow to his dads (Tom) size. Quite reserved by nature, but he is so used to me... if he’s eating and i pick him up he keeps the same stance/position everything and carries on eating 🤣
N.B. While I’m not willing to discuss the issue of “culling” (it's so controversial and never ends well between breeders with differing views), I will explain that I do have runts in some of my litters (the larger litters 13+) because I refuse to cull any of my rat babies. I leave everything upto Mother Nature and mum as I think they know best. I provide mother with high quality, varied, second to none food stuffs and leave it to her until babies are old enough to eat the same high quality foods. I’d rather keep runts as pets (non breeders) or keep them until they are older and more stable to find forever homes. I do not have any personality flaws in any of my rats (I stay in close contact with those rehomed too) so I dont feel my lines suffer because of this. I understand (but may struggle to agree with at times) why other breeders cull litters but personally, I think for me to kill a healthy perfectly viable animal which I have purposefully created for a mere hobby would change me as a person. Not in a good way.
Colour: Russian Blue
Ear Type: Dumbo
Fur Type: Rex
Markings: Berkshire
Eye Colour: Black
He was the runt of a huge litter and I was not confident enough to rehome him as he wasn’t gaining as much weight as the others. He was left on his own but has now joined the big boys and has really come out of his shell thanks to my Sam who is looking after him very well (love my Sambo) ❤️
Rocket is a wonderful healthy little boy and I am very glad I got to keep him. Interesting to see if he is able to grow to his dads (Tom) size. Quite reserved by nature, but he is so used to me... if he’s eating and i pick him up he keeps the same stance/position everything and carries on eating 🤣
N.B. While I’m not willing to discuss the issue of “culling” (it's so controversial and never ends well between breeders with differing views), I will explain that I do have runts in some of my litters (the larger litters 13+) because I refuse to cull any of my rat babies. I leave everything upto Mother Nature and mum as I think they know best. I provide mother with high quality, varied, second to none food stuffs and leave it to her until babies are old enough to eat the same high quality foods. I’d rather keep runts as pets (non breeders) or keep them until they are older and more stable to find forever homes. I do not have any personality flaws in any of my rats (I stay in close contact with those rehomed too) so I dont feel my lines suffer because of this. I understand (but may struggle to agree with at times) why other breeders cull litters but personally, I think for me to kill a healthy perfectly viable animal which I have purposefully created for a mere hobby would change me as a person. Not in a good way.
Tom
Tom has now been adopted out with Lloyd to a pet home ❤️ I’m in regular contact with his new family and he has a teenager to keep in line apparently 😍😂 Amazing 🙌
(Now and then I adopt out young adult rats to fantastic pet homes. I only do this with rats I’m 100% certain will be an amazing addition to a rat lover family 🥰 this ensures I am not over run with munchkins and I have the freedom to improve lines rather than breed for breedings sake). I’m extremely picky with my adults homes, so won’t advertise normally.
(Now and then I adopt out young adult rats to fantastic pet homes. I only do this with rats I’m 100% certain will be an amazing addition to a rat lover family 🥰 this ensures I am not over run with munchkins and I have the freedom to improve lines rather than breed for breedings sake). I’m extremely picky with my adults homes, so won’t advertise normally.
Tom's Genotype: According to the NFRS the "Roan" gene is said to be recessive. As stated, I breed rats to get first hand experience of genetics for my Biomed Degree. In my own experience, I have found the "Roan" gene to be dominant over the self gene (solid colours not the agouti based colours). Through Tom I have found the Stripped and hooded gene to also be dominant. Only one "hooded" or "stripped" gene is required to make ratty hooded/stripped/blazed. My own research in these areas is still on going. I am finding that the hooded/blaze gene will even crop up in later lines unexpectedly too! Hmmmm interesting. This may be why it is said to be recessive (it is def not recessive lol, it’s a pain in the ass, a technical term obvs 🤣).
Sam
Colour: Russian Blue
Ear Type: Dumbo
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Hooded
Eye Colour: Black
Sam is unbelievably CUTE!!! hehe. I saw him and just could NOT resist amazingly from a breeder who supplies pet shops in Coventry 🤣 My Sam is the most gentle little boy I have! He is friendly towards other rats too and is the first to take new babies under his wing. I think he will really complement my breeding programme. He is still relatively young, so is still growing. I have learned a lot about the hooded genes from Sam.
Now Sam is older, he hasn’t let me down. He’s wonderful. Sooo gentle, never snatches and is healthy as a horse right now. As he is growing up in a breeders environment he is getting the attitude that he’s the boss of all the rattos 🤣 I’m having to regularly re-introduce his cage mates to him (following my own introductory rules). This is just what happens when rats are bred. I’m praying he doesn’t grow to have to be on his own as this would be a shame for him and I’d feel extremely guilty. No fear, I won’t let this happen.
Ear Type: Dumbo
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Hooded
Eye Colour: Black
Sam is unbelievably CUTE!!! hehe. I saw him and just could NOT resist amazingly from a breeder who supplies pet shops in Coventry 🤣 My Sam is the most gentle little boy I have! He is friendly towards other rats too and is the first to take new babies under his wing. I think he will really complement my breeding programme. He is still relatively young, so is still growing. I have learned a lot about the hooded genes from Sam.
Now Sam is older, he hasn’t let me down. He’s wonderful. Sooo gentle, never snatches and is healthy as a horse right now. As he is growing up in a breeders environment he is getting the attitude that he’s the boss of all the rattos 🤣 I’m having to regularly re-introduce his cage mates to him (following my own introductory rules). This is just what happens when rats are bred. I’m praying he doesn’t grow to have to be on his own as this would be a shame for him and I’d feel extremely guilty. No fear, I won’t let this happen.
Sam's Genotype: a/a rb/rb (unproven gene) h/h hm1
(so far from my research, I think hooded gene is dominant, working very similarly to the "broken" gene in rabbits. Breeding a hooded and Berkshire results in a perfect 50/50 split between hooded and Berkshire babies everytime. I would like to find an unmarked "self" rat to experiment further. Sam's markings are not brilliant (for show!) but I find they are greatly improved in the babies when breeding to a Berkshire. I had an almost perfect hooded in one litter that I foolishly let go 😭 still kicking myself 😂
(so far from my research, I think hooded gene is dominant, working very similarly to the "broken" gene in rabbits. Breeding a hooded and Berkshire results in a perfect 50/50 split between hooded and Berkshire babies everytime. I would like to find an unmarked "self" rat to experiment further. Sam's markings are not brilliant (for show!) but I find they are greatly improved in the babies when breeding to a Berkshire. I had an almost perfect hooded in one litter that I foolishly let go 😭 still kicking myself 😂
Harry
Colour: Russian Dove (possibly Russian Silver)
Ear Type: Standard (does not carry dumbo)
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Hooded and Blazed (yet doesn’t produce hooded rats, only Berkshires and badgers!)
Eye Colour: Black
D.O.B: 01.03.19
Harry has a wonderful temperament... like the other boys he is extremely gentle and inquisitive. Wow has this boy changed since coming to BB Rattery! He was rather timid and would just follow the other rats around, now as soon as I open the cage door, hes gone!! Runnning around the rattery, knocking things off shelves and making a big mess! haha. He's fantastic and I'm so very proud of him. He's really motivating me to get the building work done on the rattery. We're building a maze for the rats too at the moment and I know Harry will be the first in there!
Harry is still a young adult rattie, so he is still growing and developing. I'm very intrigued to see if he grows to Sams size (this would be wonderful!). Harry's colours are striking and it's what led me to buy him and Lloyd. I have finally managed to work out his colours after a test breeding. It is so very important to understand genetics when youre a breeder and Harry is the perfect example. Im almost positive that Harry is a Russian Silver Agouti. His colour is a very light silvery blue against a warm cream background. He doesn't have any pink tinges to his fur and this is the reason I don’t think he is Russian dove agoutis. Dove is lilac based. I am currently trying to reproduce Harry’s colours... without success!!! 😭😭🤣 I love this game! Lol
Ear Type: Standard (does not carry dumbo)
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Hooded and Blazed (yet doesn’t produce hooded rats, only Berkshires and badgers!)
Eye Colour: Black
D.O.B: 01.03.19
Harry has a wonderful temperament... like the other boys he is extremely gentle and inquisitive. Wow has this boy changed since coming to BB Rattery! He was rather timid and would just follow the other rats around, now as soon as I open the cage door, hes gone!! Runnning around the rattery, knocking things off shelves and making a big mess! haha. He's fantastic and I'm so very proud of him. He's really motivating me to get the building work done on the rattery. We're building a maze for the rats too at the moment and I know Harry will be the first in there!
Harry is still a young adult rattie, so he is still growing and developing. I'm very intrigued to see if he grows to Sams size (this would be wonderful!). Harry's colours are striking and it's what led me to buy him and Lloyd. I have finally managed to work out his colours after a test breeding. It is so very important to understand genetics when youre a breeder and Harry is the perfect example. Im almost positive that Harry is a Russian Silver Agouti. His colour is a very light silvery blue against a warm cream background. He doesn't have any pink tinges to his fur and this is the reason I don’t think he is Russian dove agoutis. Dove is lilac based. I am currently trying to reproduce Harry’s colours... without success!!! 😭😭🤣 I love this game! Lol
Lloyd
Colour: Blue Husky Roan
Ear Type: Standard
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Striped and Blazed
Eye Colour: One black, One red
Born: 01.03.19
Lloyd has now been rehomed to a loving pet home with his BFF Tom. I am in close contact with the family and enjoy lots of regular updates 💕
Lloyd isn’t a breeding boy (I already have a Roan for breeding and Lloyd has mismatching eyes so is not suitable). I chose him because he’s outgoing and plucky! It's very good for a group to have such an adventurous rat to follow. Again, he's extremely gentle, curious and is just starting to leave the cage with Sam for free play time in the rat room.
Lloyd is the first on everything and seems to have taken a huge shine to my Tom who he follows everywhere 😍
Lloyd continues to grow and develop into a lovely young man 😍 we now play finger boxing!!! Wow! Boys are so much fun! He loves my fingers and like the other boys he grabs my hands and turns them over in his own little hands omg it’s the most touching thing to witness. These tiny little hands gently moving my own around. The funniest thing is he’s doing it because he wants to know where the treats is at and I’m just going all gooey 🤣🤣
Ear Type: Standard
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Striped and Blazed
Eye Colour: One black, One red
Born: 01.03.19
Lloyd has now been rehomed to a loving pet home with his BFF Tom. I am in close contact with the family and enjoy lots of regular updates 💕
Lloyd isn’t a breeding boy (I already have a Roan for breeding and Lloyd has mismatching eyes so is not suitable). I chose him because he’s outgoing and plucky! It's very good for a group to have such an adventurous rat to follow. Again, he's extremely gentle, curious and is just starting to leave the cage with Sam for free play time in the rat room.
Lloyd is the first on everything and seems to have taken a huge shine to my Tom who he follows everywhere 😍
Lloyd continues to grow and develop into a lovely young man 😍 we now play finger boxing!!! Wow! Boys are so much fun! He loves my fingers and like the other boys he grabs my hands and turns them over in his own little hands omg it’s the most touching thing to witness. These tiny little hands gently moving my own around. The funniest thing is he’s doing it because he wants to know where the treats is at and I’m just going all gooey 🤣🤣
The Girls
Sophie
Colour: Blue Point Siamese (or poss blue point himi, am currently in the process of proving which one she is genetically)
Ear Type: Dumbo
Fur Type: Rex m
Markings: Pointed Self (classed as shaded self)
Eye Colour: Red (recessive)
Rex means Sophie has curly/wavy fur, a special kind of variation in rats. I am intending to improve sophies "Rex" as she has just a wave which isn't amazing in truth lol. I will do this with an agouti. The best coat colour to improve the Rex fur quality is an agouti. Breeders often find that other coat colours in rex are extremely hard to achieve a nice curly rex coat. I would also love to find a big black chunky Dumbo rat for sophie so I could specialise in seal point Siamese rats too. But they are near impossible to find (esp one with black feet, rather than white feet which is what a Self should have!). It may be near impossible to find a black rat because they may not sell well as pets etc. Maybe when I have rats suitable for entry into a show I will start to meet those who can help me with this.
Ear Type: Dumbo
Fur Type: Rex m
Markings: Pointed Self (classed as shaded self)
Eye Colour: Red (recessive)
Rex means Sophie has curly/wavy fur, a special kind of variation in rats. I am intending to improve sophies "Rex" as she has just a wave which isn't amazing in truth lol. I will do this with an agouti. The best coat colour to improve the Rex fur quality is an agouti. Breeders often find that other coat colours in rex are extremely hard to achieve a nice curly rex coat. I would also love to find a big black chunky Dumbo rat for sophie so I could specialise in seal point Siamese rats too. But they are near impossible to find (esp one with black feet, rather than white feet which is what a Self should have!). It may be near impossible to find a black rat because they may not sell well as pets etc. Maybe when I have rats suitable for entry into a show I will start to meet those who can help me with this.
Sophie is a very loving girl who likes to be against my mouth and face while she has her chin and head rubbed. Sophie loves her food and is very inquisitive and comes when called. As soon as her cage is opened, out she plods, scratting about for food I might have left somewhere, or the treat bag she knows is near! She is proven to be a fantastic mummy, kind natured and is best friends with Poppy. They clean and stroke each other. Sophie stole my heart from the moment I saw her ❤️ a real sweetheart. Like Eliot, Sophie remains a fab pet while she has litters, shes never bitten me and completely ignores me while I pick up her young. Well, I say ignore me, I mean she just wants to know where the left overs are so she can munch while I play with her babies 😂 It can be common for rat mums to bite owners when they have young as understandably their hormones are raging and they are in protection mode. However, you should not breed again with a mum who bites while nursing young, it is not a desired characteristic for breeders. Luckily, my two girls have never done this, I am very thankful.
Sophie's Genotype: a/a ch/ch (may also contain either d/d or as I think is most likely, the Russian blue gene, Sophie is a Blue pointed Siamese).
*a note* himilayan is similar: a/a ch/c
*a note* himilayan is similar: a/a ch/c
Eliot
Colour: Russian Blue
Ear Type: Dumbo
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Berkshire
Eye Colour: Black
I will have to make a video of Eliot because her beautiful colour just does not come through on pictures! Esp the ones above! She is a stunning deep blue colour with shiny fur, typical of the Russian variety. I find all of my dumbos to be laid back, chilled in the way they go about their business. Eliot was a little shy at first but was won over by being offered yummy foods! Eliots all time favourite food is kale! She stock piles it (I have a video on BB Instagram of her doing this. I just leave her to it, it keeps her busy lol).
Eliot has proven to be an excellent mum (and still a fab pet, remaining friendly and never biting anyone while she has her litter, even strangers who visit!). Recently, while her litter was very young, she lost an eye. She is absolutely fine and the vet told us it was a common accident due to rats eyes being predominant in their skulls (unlike our eyes which are somewhat sheltered by our brows). I have no idea how she injured her eye but it hasn't affected her in anyway at all.
Ear Type: Dumbo
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Berkshire
Eye Colour: Black
I will have to make a video of Eliot because her beautiful colour just does not come through on pictures! Esp the ones above! She is a stunning deep blue colour with shiny fur, typical of the Russian variety. I find all of my dumbos to be laid back, chilled in the way they go about their business. Eliot was a little shy at first but was won over by being offered yummy foods! Eliots all time favourite food is kale! She stock piles it (I have a video on BB Instagram of her doing this. I just leave her to it, it keeps her busy lol).
Eliot has proven to be an excellent mum (and still a fab pet, remaining friendly and never biting anyone while she has her litter, even strangers who visit!). Recently, while her litter was very young, she lost an eye. She is absolutely fine and the vet told us it was a common accident due to rats eyes being predominant in their skulls (unlike our eyes which are somewhat sheltered by our brows). I have no idea how she injured her eye but it hasn't affected her in anyway at all.
Eliot's Genotype: a/a (self) rb/rb (unproven rb gene) H/h or H/he (Berkshire) possibly involves more marked genes! It’s proving impossible for me to breed out these marked genes to produce the self I so desire boo hoo. I just can not find that foundation self rat for the life of me 😭😭 I think it’s because self rats don’t sell as well. But self Rats are my favourite just no one else’s that’s all 😂
Harriet
Colour: Agouti
Markings: Hooded (mismarked, looks like a capped but has spot at tail)
Fur Type: Rex
Ear Type: Dumbo
Eye Colour: Black
Markings: Hooded (mismarked, looks like a capped but has spot at tail)
Fur Type: Rex
Ear Type: Dumbo
Eye Colour: Black
Harriet is our new little girl! She is wonderful, laid back, friendly and just adorable. I have wanted an agouti Rex for a long time and hopefully when shes fully grown I will be able to breed some beautiful non-marked agouti rex's. Agouti is the best colour to breed rex's in as you can have the rex looking full and curly like it is supposed to (its much more difficult in other colour varieties, even black).
This ratty is my best chance of entering competitions. Her parents were truly amazing and I just wish I’d have asked for a picture of them. Dad was just like something I’d never seen before, a huge thick curly coat of a bright Orange agouti! Stunning! The biggest challenge for me now is to decide how best to “improve” Harriet’s type. My rocket is the most beautiful but I can’t use him as he’s not big enough. I want to be making a huge ratto here 😂
This ratty is my best chance of entering competitions. Her parents were truly amazing and I just wish I’d have asked for a picture of them. Dad was just like something I’d never seen before, a huge thick curly coat of a bright Orange agouti! Stunning! The biggest challenge for me now is to decide how best to “improve” Harriet’s type. My rocket is the most beautiful but I can’t use him as he’s not big enough. I want to be making a huge ratto here 😂
Poppy
***Non Breeding Ratto***
Colour: Silver Fawn
Ear Type: Standard
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Hooded
Eye Colour: Pink
Poppy is very confident and confident rats are excellent in a group as they really bring out the other rats personalities.
Upon approaching her cage she wakes instantly and comes straight out as soon as the cage door opens. She hears my voice and it doesn’t matter what time it is (even early morning!), she’s there waiting. If she were a dog I know her tail would be wagging!!! She’s a wonderful rat that I am very proud of.
Ear Type: Standard
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Hooded
Eye Colour: Pink
Poppy is very confident and confident rats are excellent in a group as they really bring out the other rats personalities.
Upon approaching her cage she wakes instantly and comes straight out as soon as the cage door opens. She hears my voice and it doesn’t matter what time it is (even early morning!), she’s there waiting. If she were a dog I know her tail would be wagging!!! She’s a wonderful rat that I am very proud of.
Poppy's Genotype: a/a (self) h/h hm1
Emily
Colour: Mink
Ear Type: Standard
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Berkshire
Eye Colour: Black
Emily is the most shy rat of the mischief (extremely so). However, she has come on leaps and bounds while being here. I am working very closely with my sweet Emily to overcome her shyness as she’s a very sweet and gentle natured girl.
Emily's colour is interesting. Emily is from Russian blue lines, so her mink can look particularly cool and then other times quite warm. She has the type of mink where she is white at the roots of her hair shafts (this can be a characteristic of the pearl gene, so it would be interesting to see the outcome of her pups if she had a litter). The way her fur is coloured differently (a very light grey/cream undercoat).
Ear Type: Standard
Fur Type: Standard
Markings: Berkshire
Eye Colour: Black
Emily is the most shy rat of the mischief (extremely so). However, she has come on leaps and bounds while being here. I am working very closely with my sweet Emily to overcome her shyness as she’s a very sweet and gentle natured girl.
Emily's colour is interesting. Emily is from Russian blue lines, so her mink can look particularly cool and then other times quite warm. She has the type of mink where she is white at the roots of her hair shafts (this can be a characteristic of the pearl gene, so it would be interesting to see the outcome of her pups if she had a litter). The way her fur is coloured differently (a very light grey/cream undercoat).
Emily's Genotype: a/a m/m