Handling New Rats 

It is very traumatizing when rats arrive at their new home. 
There's new surroundings, different smells and noises. It's a
shock to their little systems.
The first thing you must do is leave them alone in their 
new cage to settle in. It may take few hours or even a 
couple of days. Remember they've probably been 
pushed from pillar to post. From the time a rat is born
to the time it gets to you it would have had a total of 3 owners (the breeder, the pet shop
then you). Rescue rats usually have had more than 3. This in itself is confusing to the rat so don't be surprised if it doesn't jump up and down when it see's you. It most probably will be cowering in the corner. It needs to know if it can trust you and you will not pass it on to someone else. It's also best if one person can get to know it first then when it's relaxed, introduce other people slowly.
Always talk gently to them. Don't raise your voice, even if they do something wrong. Open the door to the cage, call their names, open the door to the cage, call their names, when they come to you, give them a treat. Never push treats through the bars of the cage. They may mistake your fingers for food (rats have very bad eyesight). Keep calling them by their names and giving them treats. They will eventually recognize your hands as treat time and run up to you every time. Never chase your rat around in it's cage to catch it. It will be terrified of you and could bite out of fear.
The next stage is to leave the cage door open, call their names and try to tempt them out. Always reward them for good behaviour. They will get curious and eventually start to climb onto you. They'll explore your face, shoulders and hair. When you have done this a few times, try walking a little way from the cage with the rat on your shoulders or in your hands(not too far). Always put them back into their cage and reward them with a treat. Keep doing this but each time walk further away, always putting them back and giving them a treat. Never reach into their nest box. Always call their names. Remember nest boxes are their own little space and they don't want us to invade it (you may also get a nasty bite). Never rush your rats, they will do things in their own time.
Never under any circumstances pick your rat up by it's tail. Rats have actually been known to lose their tails due to people picking them up. Tails are very delicate organs and will drop off. The easiest way to pick up a rats is to cup both hands under it's tummy and gently scoop it up.

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