4 pairs of females, or 5?

I leave my male for 2 weeks with each set of females and keep rotating him. Now, should I go with 4 pairs of females or 5? As it stands I am getting plenty of babies, but the moms barely have any time between me taking their babies and him arriving. So I am considering building a new rack to house 5 breeding pairs of females.

4 :gj:

Rat rotation is simple count about 4 to 5 weeks for breeding and gestation (females might not get pregnant right away and gestation is 3 weeks) + 3 weeks before rats are weaned and females get back in rotation. So total you are looking at 7 to 8 weeks before getting back in rotation so 4 pairs is perfect.

I would try to give the females an extra month off every so often. Just watch production rates and see if you see any visible signs of stress as to weather they might need a little longer break.

How long do female rats live/breed for? Not sure when to get new breeders ready

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Originally Posted by OTorresUSMC

How long do female rats live/breed for? Not sure when to get new breeders ready

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Optimum production is variable, as rule rather than use age I determine retirement based on the number of rats produced anything under 8/10 and it's retirement, since they all retire at different stage every time one retires one is being added (sometime 2 depending on the season)

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Optimum production is variable, as rule rather than use age I determine retirement based on the number of rats produced anything under 8/10 and it's retirement, since they all retire at different stage every time one retires one is being added (sometime 2 depending on the season)

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Ok that's what I was thinking as far as production as the indicator. One of my females just had a litter with only like 6 live babies and 2 still born so I was thinking this may be her last go.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by OTorresUSMC

Ok that's what I was thinking as far as production as the indicator. One of my females just had a litter with only like 6 live babies and 2 still born so I was thinking this may be her last go.

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She probably can have more the issue is that when you breed for food a female producing 2 or for babies for example is costing you money while producing very little, and that makes your feeder cost go up.