Welcome to the website of Daikoku Rattery

Daikoku is a new rattery based in Cardiff, Wales, UK, working towards breeding fancy rats in russian dove and related varieties. Other varieties will be available along the way - my first kittens are expected to be born in autumn 2007 and will be russian blue and russian blue agouti in standard and rex coats, and black, russian blue, british blue and russian silver all in standard coats - please see the kittens page for more details on planned litters.

Daikoku Rattery is not an NFRS stud name, but it is a prefix to recognise rats that I have bred. I have registered as an NFRS novice breeder and hope to work towards earning a stud name in the future. I also volunteer as education officer for RAWA (Rodent Awareness and Welfare Association). I do not and will not cull any of my rats. Whilst I am not under any formal mentorship, I would like to thank Laura & Karl of Bongo Fury Rattery, who I am working closely with, for their fantastic help and friendship as I start this new venture, as well as many other members of the rat fancy who have offered their support and advice.

Why Daikoku?

DAIKOKU is one of the seven gods of luck in Japanese mythology, the god of wealth and agriculture. He is usually depicted standing on a bale of rice with his magic mallet (which can create wealth and grant wishes!) Often he is shown with a rat poking it’s head out of the bale or playing with the mallet. Sometimes many rats are shown, signifying plentiful food. There is also a tale of how Daikoku’s rat drove away Shiro, an oni (demon) sent to get rid of Daikoku by the Buddhist Gods who grew jealous of him. Daikoku sent his rat to see who was outside, when the rat saw it was Shiro, he bought a sprig of holly from the garden which drove the demon away. This is said to be the origin of the Japanese new year’s eve charm, when a sprig of holly is nailed over a doorway to keep the oni away. I think this story is lovely, and thought having my rattery named in honour of a god of luck could only be a good thing!

DAIKOKU NEWS

11/11/07: Skye's babies are now coming up to 2 and a half weeks old. The doe is a russian blue, and the bucks are russian silver and british blue. They have eyes open and are getting more adventurous every day!

1/11/07: Skye's babies are 1 week old today - we have two boys, one russian silver and one blue, and one blue doe - not entirely sure which variety of blue yet though!! They are growing well and I've uploaded photos of them so far on Skye's litter page.

25/10/07: Daikoku babies have arrived!!! Skye gave birth this morning to 3 fat, pink, wriggly little babies. The litter is smaller than expected, but all babies & mum are healthy and doing very well so far. Pictures will be uploaded in due course!

07/10/07: Skye is now home from her liason with Hobo at Bongo Fury, watch this space for kitten news in a few weeks!

30/09/07: A rollercoaster of a weekend - Saturday at NFRS Clevedon show was a lovely day, with the icing on the cake being Skye winning her second 1st Russian Blue, we also came home with 3rd Dumbo kitten (TJ), 3rd Dumbo adult (Otis) and 4th Guide Standard (Roxy). Then the excitement of Skye going to stay at Bongo Fury to be mated up with Hobo. On Sunday however the mood changed drastically as I sadly lost my beloved George, who with his brother Dexter was one of my first rats. The rat room feels very different without him - truly the end of an era. He was an old boy and peacefully fell asleep as he deserved, he will be sorely missed.

01/09/07: Welcome home to brothers Bongo Fury Tomago Jr and Bongo Fury Elvis, and a fantastic day all round at London Championships, coming home with 1st Dumbo kitten (Elvis), 1st Dumbo adult (Otis), 1st Russian Blue (Skye), 2nd Dumbo kitten (TJ) and 3rd Guide Standard (Roxy).

16/08/07: Sadly I had to said goodbye to Amber. I'll remember her as being happy, loving and calm no matter what the situation, and a very very good friend both to me and to Yaris, whom she looked after for her last weeks, and Ruby, who misses her greatly.

04/08/07: A good day at the MRC Birmingham Show with Otis winning 3rd Dumbo and Skye winning 3rd Russian Blue. I also welcomed home new additions Shunamite Wild Honey and Shunamite Summer Nights, two scrummy dumbo rex girls who are settling in well.