I only use Aspen shavings for my bedding. I have tried Corn Cob bedding and Yesterday's News (both acceptable) but my favorite is Aspen. NEVER use Cedar or Pine because it is toxic and can lead to respitory problems. I feed my rats Premium Nutri-Blocks with a mix of a rodent seed diets and fruits and veggies. Some favorites are: Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Peas, Chicken, Pear, Pasta, Cheese (in small moderations), Beans, Lettuce, Whole-weat bread etc... They get plenty of play time and exercise out of the cage (about 2-3 hours a day or more) and when I bring them outside with me they usually get handled by many diffrent people.
I breed for temperment and health first because they are the most important. Color and type come second. I currently breed Black, Slate Blue, Powder Blue, Seal Point and Blue Point Siamese, Beige and Silver with other colors sometimes avalible. Mostly Dumbo and Standard, in Rex, Velveteen and Standard coats.
Colors I hope to breed in the future:Himilayan, Blue Agouti, Silver Mink, Chocolate and Merle. Standard and Dumbo to be my main type.
I breed my rats because I want to improve the pet quality of the animal. Any rats with aggresive behavior or diseases are NEVER bred. All my previous rats have never had any signs of ilness, megacolon, tumors or SDA. My newer rats who all come from reputable breeders also have a good healthy lines. All my rats are raised in a loving, gentle and nurturing enviroment.
My objective is not to make money, but to breed these wonderful animals to have a tempermentaly sound and loving pet. It's a hobby that needs respect and that needs to be "done right". All my rats get along with other rats and people.
I do ship my rats but no less then 3 in one crate. I only ship within Canada by air transport.
Investigate any breeder you are interested in and be sure to check if they are reputable. Before you invest do some research and be sure you know what you are getting into.
It's worth it in the end because you will surely enjoy your lovely new rats.