Feeder rats, owners of feeder rats at an older age (not since babys)?

I have decided to get a feeder rat, but I am still concerned that
since it was never really handled, will want to bite me. One of my answers last time was get a baby that they sell for smaller snakes, but couldn't they just buy a hopper or something? I'm not positive if a pet store will sell baby feeder rats, If i do get a fully grown rat, what where some methods you used to get them more sociable? And do you think it would be necessary to train him how to use a litter box? also, boy or girl? Thanks!
Answers:
I don't believe that there is a difference between pet rats (bought at a pet store) and feeder rats, unless you consider the price to be the difference. We have feeder breeders where I live, who's business it is to breed rats for reptile food, but many of these rats are also sold as pets. These rats are raised to be healthy because the reptiles also need high-quality food. Ok, now I'm sickening myself just talking about feeder breeding.

You know, if a store would not sell me a "feeder" rat as a pet rat, I would be very suspicious as to what information about the rats the store management is holding from me. Needless to say, yes, I have bought feeder rats as pets because to me they are one in the same.

Some pet stores weed out their stock as it comes in. The more colorful rats are sold as pets at a higher price, and the "less classy", "unpopular", "common colors", are sold as feeders.

The ONLY reason why "feeder" rats, no matter what the age, would bite, is if they were teased and harrassed by human hands during their stay at the store. If they have not been handled properly they will want to run away and hide. I have put my hands down into a tank of "feeders" and chosen the most friendliest of them to come home with me as pets.

Your unhandled rat will be more skittish then aggressive, and there are exercises that you can practice that will turn him into a desireable pet.
Bonding with your rats
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=bo...
Trust-training
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=tr...
Forced Socialization
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=fo...

Since you are first-time rat-keeper, if you are going to get an older "feeder" rat, one that has had little handling, I would suggest a male (a Buck). Females (Does) are busier throughout their lives, might be frustrating to you, whereas males are calmer and they will begin to settle down around 5 to 6 months of age.

Yes, rats can be litterbox trained. This will help you keep the cage cleaner.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=li...
My rats have their own room where one group free-ranges at a time. I have screwed a litterbox to each corner of the room and yes, they use them.

Rats like the company of their own kind
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=ra...

Rat Behavior and Biology
http://www.ratbehavior.org/

Rat Health
http://ratguide.com/health/

Some lucky rats are going to be saved from being snake-food :)

Holistarat
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat...
Will connect you up with other rat-keepers who can help you with all of your ratty questions and rat-care needs.

spazrats
"my life has gone to the rats"

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it sounds like you want a pet rat not a feeder. There all the same, as far as rats at the pet store. They've been domesticated, where wild rats WILL BITE YOU. You can get young feeder rats, but generally feeder rats are the same as a pet rat and are already really friendly and won't bite unless its been abused.

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When you bring the rat home place him in the cage and leave him to adjust for a few days. May I also suggest you buy 2, since they are very social and need a compainion to be happy. Two is not different in care than one.

After a few days go buy, feed it treats, so it associates you with yummy food. It will begin to wait for you when he sees you. Place your hand in the cage and allow the rat to sniff and get used to you. Some rats do not like being picked up, and never will. They will however enjoy being pet, riding on your shoulder, etc. All rats are different. Never pick up by the tail, as it is dangerous for the rat. It will cause them to fear you.

I suggest getting a baby, since you are not experienced in training an adult to be social when they have had little contact. Baby's will be recognized by thier small size, if there are not babies ask when new ones will come in and you are looking for a rat that has just been weaned, or only weaned a few weeks back. No younger than 6 weeks.

There are pros and cons to getting either sex. Boys are more laid back, generally not as fiesty. Females are more afventuous and like to be on the move. I have had both and enjoyed each the same.

Rats cannot be trained to use a litter box. In all my years of owning I have never seen one use a box.

I suggest you go to where you are going to purchase the rat and observe them for a few minutes. Watch thier personalities. Ask if you can see the person selling them put thier hand in the cage. Look for the rats that go to the hand and do not shy away afraid.

I suggest if you are too afraid to handle rats because of possible bites that you do not purchase one. They are very social and need time out of the cage for interaction with you.

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if you want to get a pet rat and you want to get a feeder one then be very careful because some times feeders tend to be more aggressive to want to bite then the ones raised for pets. yes it would be better to get a baby at the age of 5 weeks because when you get a baby your chances are better to have her get used to being handled. hoppers are to small and they hop around and they still need to be with mom for feeding. pet stores sell feeders and sell pet rats. the pet rats there are all types and colors. i breed rats and i do breed for my snakes as well as for pets but i have all sorts of colors and breeds. how i determine if it will be a et or not is if i put my hand in the cage and i can't get it right away and it runs around and trys to get away from me then that will be a feeder rat and if i can pick it up right away and it won't run from me then that will be a pet rat. that is when i work with them to be handled all the time. if you get an adult you don't know how the temperment will be because he will have been in with other feeders that have never been held before,and yes those ones will bite and keep biting til you put him down. i would recommend getting a pet rat that has been raised by someone that breeds them. good luck in finding one.