Ratties and Birdies?

[Alunai]

So I wasreading on Ratballs about Retro the lovebird. I think it's just hilarious how he and the rats get along. It made me curious, too. Has anyone else ever introduced their birds to the ratties? How did that go? I'd like some input as I have a cockatiel that I think would find the ratties to be interesting.
Anyways I thought that this was just hilarious. ^.^ :rofl5:

http://www.ratballs.com/RetroRat/

 

[user 78]

It's actually very dangerous. Rats do prey on other animals, such as smaller rodents and birds. There have been some owners who's rats have seriously injured or even killed other pets. There's also the chance that the other animal can seriously injure or kill the rats. I strongly suggest that people not try things like that.

 

[lilspaz68]

My brother's rat climbed up onto our budgies cage and the poor thing died of a heart attack. Rats are definitely prey animals and will catch and eat anything they can. Birds are especially wonderful covered with all those feathers. If you have ever seen a rat go over a feather cat toy and thought it was cute, you should realize that they are in hunt/kill mode over the feathers.

 

[jorats]

The story is quite funny and well written, the pics are just adorable, but I realized why it was going well, they are baby rats. But even so... I don't recommend people trying this at all.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

I agree I would not attempt this with any of my girls. I have let my dogs sniff at them and they have on occasion gotten rattie teeth sunk into their noses. (Ivy is very agreesive towards my dogs).

They have destroyed a million feather toys (I can only imagine if it were a bird) and if I drag my hand along the ground Lilly will attack it like she is out to kill it, I have the teeth marks to prove it.

I think even with the closest supervision it is just not worth the chance. It literally takes a split second for someone to snap and before you know it someone is hurt. You have to remember they are animals and still have their wild instincts.

 

[SQ]

Very, very cute pics and story.
But I agree ... very, very dangerous and unsafe for all the animals involved.
As jorats said, it is working because they are babies.
But it is much to dangerous an activity even for babies.

Rats love to chase and kill anything with feathers ... and I have the cat play toys to prove it :laugh4:
Rats should never be mixed with animals of another species as it is much too dangerous.

 

[Alunai]

Sounds good to me! That will never be attempted in my house then ^.^

 

[Vanessa]

It took me a bit to find this, but I remembered from way back reading that someone's rat killed their cockatiel. Well, finally found the story, which is below...


Source: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ratlist/message/133920

'MY RAT KILLED MY BIRD!

In [email protected], "ambicion6" <ambicion6@...> wrote:

i'm so sad today, last night when i got home, i walked in to my
houseto finf feathers everywhere and one of my rats loose. it didnt
take me long to seewhat happened. somehow one of my boys (Chunky)
managed to open the cage and escape and he made his way to the bird
cage. i guess its my fault bc i let my birds free range and theyre
not clipped. well i, guyessing the birds (cockatiels)got scared and
got onthe floor where one managed to hop/flutter away to adark corner
in a dif room while he probly heard the otherone screaming and
getting killed. it was really bad., i couldnt even look at the
mangled body and had to have my mom pick it up and put it away. when
i found the other bird, i thought he was hurt bc as i got near him he
coulnt walk and he was shrilling/crying like i have never ever
heardbefore and he woulnt let me even get to him or he would start
hissing and crying. eventually i got him and i wrapped him in a towel
and just held him close and petted him until he called down. he is
okay. no bites no breaks. just traumatized alot. this morning when i
looked at the bird he is still aggressive and shaking.
my rat is fine except for a swollen finger where it looks like my
bird tried to fight him off. i feel soooo horrible but i cant blame
the rat hes just an animal and doesnt know better. hes a very sweet
boy. not aggressive at all. and the worst of all is when i put him
back in the cage, i could see the bird's blood on his nose, paws.
i dont know what im going to do with the remaining bird. hopfeully in
a few days he will calm down and not be so aggressive so i can get
him another buddy. we'll see what happens.

Lili

--- End forwarded message ---'