Thinking about getting boys

[ILuvRats]

First off, NO I am not going to breed them with my girls. Have read about it and I don't have the genetic knowledge to know what I'm doing. That said, I heard males are squishy and cuddly. I have never owned boys before and they sound fun. I just have a question about them. I was told once that when they reach sexual maturity they tend to get a little nasty. Is this true?? From what I read here in this forum it sure doesn't sound that way. The source where I heard this is not too reliable and I trust this groups opinion more. Should I get a pair of boys or just stick to my girls?

[swedishnightingale]

I think it's mostly the chance that they'll get nasty with each other -- neutering could take care of that. *And*, then they could live with the girls!

I   my boy Otto...  

[Panda Phil]

 My three boys are about eight months old and have always been sweethearts. Of course I get a minor territorial squabble once in awhile, but don't girls do the same thing?

 I guess really it all depends on the ratties temperament. But yeah, I'd say go for it!

[Ziggy]

It's rubbish,
I have only ever had boys and never had any of them turn nasty. I've never had any fighting between my current five (and they're all from different litters) only the play fighting.
In my experience, it's actually the GIRLS which get nasty with one another.

[pigsandrats]

We just got our first boys ever about three weeks ago. They are two months old, and already they're getting BIG.
I love them so much, my only complaint is that they pee alot more than the girls do.  
Girls will piddle on you here and there, but boys? OMG, lots more piddles- like double or triple the amount of girl piddles! :huh:

I'm getting used to it, and they're so sweet, and I wouldn't NOT have them because of this. They're worth it.

[elegy]

i've had some of my boys get more than a little testy once they hit puberty. one had to live by himself (but he was a total love with people and a huge squish.) and two i've had neutered (with a third hopefully to be done this month).

i love my boys. i love that they're bigger and slower and that they're happy to sit on my lap (well some of them are, the two hairless guys are *hyper*!)

[starsevol]

My 2 boys are 7 and a half months old and while there is definately an alpha rat,they dont squabble much. I have had girls in the past (over 10 years ago) but I prefer the squishiness of boys. Both of mine are the BEST!! Beau wants to be with me all the time and Cosmo loves his back rubbed and will cover your whole hand in rattie licks and kisses while you do it! They do have a few "marking issues" but it doesnt stain or smell and is easily cleaned up. Kind of a pain but having boys is worth it!
Just my 2 cents.

[Suebee]

I've had both happen... I've had boys get a little... testosterony... once they hit puberty. I've also had boys who remained absolute sweethearts, beginning to end. It's been mostly sweeties, though.

[pigsandrats]

Testosterony, Suebee?

Isn't that an Italian dish?

[Spitfire]

Arbiter and Templar are my sweetest ratties!    They raise holy you-know-what when fighting for dominance but neither have hurt each other, even minorly.  (Templar is about eight months old and Arbiter is four or five)  I let the little boys play with them from the time I seperated them from the girls and they never hurt the babies, not even after I put the babies in their cage permantly.  They put up with the babies power grooming them and never fight back, even in the midst of their squables when Reever tries to join in they ignore him and try to avoid him.  Sure their squeaks scare me, but they still snuggle with each other and with me, and Arbiter is a daddy!

[Lin]

The only boy I ever had that got nasty was Sigmund.  He got pretty testy with his cagemates for a while.  Looked kinda like he was PMSing.  Just all around grouchy.  It lasted for about a month, but the worst of it was over in two weeks.

I just took him out by himself a few times to keep the others from aggravating him.  All this happened about two months ago, if that long.  He's fine now.  Gets along great with all the other boys.

[Whimsical Rat]

I have 6 boys currently, and one that has gone to the Bridge.  The only "nastiness" I've ever experienced is when each boy hits puberty and gets that rush of testosterone there is increased squabbling in the cage.  It does last about a month total with each boy with the worst being for about 2 weeks.

4 of my boys are 2 sets of brothers so twice now I've had 2 rats at once hitting puberty (and these 4 are only about 3 weeks apart in age).  I've noticed also though that not every boy gets a bit aggressive with the rush of hormones.  

I've also never had a problem with an abundance of marking.  Yes they leave little piddle trails, but not a large puddle, and it varies from boy to boy also.

Go for it!  Boy ratties are wonderful!

Charlotte
Whimsical Rat in Michigan

[Siberian Hamster]

I have had three boys, and all three were different.  One was super affectionate from day 1, and just kept getting better (licks, bruxing, the works).  The second was fairly active and independent until he got to be older, then he was cuddly.  The third did get suddenly weird and aggressive, biting badly, and after much consideration, we had him fixed.  He has been a puddle of rat love ever since, no problem.  

I say go for the boys, chances are you won't ever need to neuter them, but the option is there to solve the problem.  They are very rewarding!

[ratfriend]

I have six boys--two have been through puberty and two are currently in it. Of the two that are older, only one got aggressive--and never toward us, just toward other rats--but he never drew blood. Of course, he's the Alpha, so maybe that's just what he does to stay king. Dan (who will be a year old in 10 days) has always been sweet and squishy. And the two that are technically *in* puberty now are not aggressive at all--one is so terrified of Max--the alpha--he will not be on the same level with him--ever. the other is a squishy goof and is very affectionate with the other rats (and his humans, too). I've never had girls (though I've rat sat them)--but I think I'll always have boys.  

[ratlovinblonde]

Personaly in my experience I love males more than females. Tiny, my baby who has gone over the bridge , was the sweetest and kindest thing in the world!!!!!! he would cuddle with me and fall asleep with me on the couch watching tv. my girls on the other hand are really hyper and won't sit still! Personaly I like to cuddle my pets and males seem alot more cuddly than females. Alot of people are worried about the fact of marking, its not that bad so dont worry.
Tiny was never aggressive or anything like that. except in his dying hour I think he didn't want me to see him die so he niped me. he had never done that before and I took it as "put me back in my cage" I put him in his cage and went back 10 minutes later to cheack on hima dn he was gone. He was the best.......
P.S. Tiny was also 1.1 pound. Very ice and squishy!

[ILuvRats]

Thank you everybody. I am definitely going to be on the outlook for 2 boys. Going to take my time though. Need to invest in another cage but I can keep them in a smaller cage for the time being. Oh gosh, I'm addicted. Is there any help for me!!!!