Considering breeding rats...

[luckycharm318]

I'm thinking a 1.1 pair or a 1.2 pair, (as I only have 1 BP) and freezing the offspring when they reach the correct size. With only one BP I think it will work out if I only breed them a few times a year, enough to have a frozen supply that won't stay in the freezer too long, then putting the breeders back together to refresh the supply before it runs out.

So, if I'm not planning on breeding continuously, and having the male separated from the females most of the time, will he get lonely by himself? If that's the case should I just get a 2.2 pair? Or do males not get along together?

I also think rats would be fun pets to have, so these guys wouldn't just be food suppliers for me. Now, if they're not breeding as often, would I be able to get a longer lifespan/breeding career out of them?

How many enclosures would I need, could I get away with two or three of the Rubbermaid type bins? How is the smell with the well ventilated modified Rubbermaid type bins? I live at home and my pets have to stay in my room.

Lastly, is this even a good idea? Thanks for any feedback!

[tomfromtheshade]

If you have a ball python I would have to assume that you are probably feeding medium rats. These are rats that are about 8 weeks old.

My advice to you is to build a rack using using Jumbo Petmate litter pans. I would build the rack six levels high.

Use the top level for your male and your female. You won't need more than one female for just one snake. Personally, I would keep them together all the time and just let them breed. They will give you about 10 babies per month.

When the new litter is born you should take the weaners out of the tub with the parents. Separate them into two tubs, one male, one female.

When the next litter is born you should freeze the first litter off. They will be about 8 weeks old at this point. Move the 4 week old litter down into the tubs that you took the 8 week old rats out of.

Now you are using three tubs. You can use the other three tubs to grow out replacement breeders, or keep some as pets, or just leave them empty...whatever you prefer.

The rack system is really the only way to raise rodents. It makes things so much easier than just using tanks or tubs.

[luckycharm318]

Thanks for the advice! Sounds like a good idea if I decide to go that route.

[ALTownsend1]

Stumbled across this when "researching" before making my own thread. I am very similar to the OP, feeding only 1 BP and a new addition, a baby RTB...

The local shop isn't super cheap, and I've been considering breeding, putting the extras right into the freezer as suggested.

What are my initial costs likely to be? I'm a big CL fan so that's probably where I would get the rack.. And what is the cost to maintain? Am I better off just continuing to buy seeing as my collection is so small? No real desire for pets, so this would purely be for food...

Also, where do you keep your rat racks? Is smell a big issue? Is it possibly to keep them in a garage, or is that far too warm? I appreciate all expertise and wisdom!

[ALTownsend1]

Anyone?

[alohareptiles]

Stumbled across this when "researching" before making my own thread. I am very similar to the OP, feeding only 1 BP and a new addition, a baby RTB...

The local shop isn't super cheap, and I've been considering breeding, putting the extras right into the freezer as suggested.

What are my initial costs likely to be? I'm a big CL fan so that's probably where I would get the rack.. And what is the cost to maintain? Am I better off just continuing to buy seeing as my collection is so small? No real desire for pets, so this would purely be for food...

Also, where do you keep your rat racks? Is smell a big issue? Is it possibly to keep them in a garage, or is that far too warm? I appreciate all expertise and wisdom!

Sorry that no one replied to you...

If you have a smaller collection, many will say to not breed your own...I would have to agree unless you just want to do it for the fun of it...

I started when my collection was around 7-8 snakes...I learned the hard way that it's easy but a lot of work...Now my collection of predominantly tics is pushing the 25 marker with at least 5 breeding this season...I have 9 breeding females and I'm still purchasing frozen rats...The ones I breed help with the smaller sizes and I freeze off the excess when they hit the medium sizes...

I'm probably doing it wrong, but it is fun and does cut down on some of the cost of frozen orders for me...I've probably invested at least $300 in supplies for racks, tubs, water bottles and cleaning supply...They are in my basement and if I don't keep up on the clean-up, it will get very strong smelling down there...

The rack system is the easiest way to go. I have birthing tubs for each female and have had minimal losses over the last year.

Good luck!!!

[alohareptiles]

Look for reptiles shows in your area. Pet stores and boutique shops will rake you over the coals price-wise in my opinion. We have one here in somewhat locally and I purchase my frozens there now and I made a connection to pick up live when I need too. I'm saving a small amount compared to ordering on line at RodentPro or ARS and don't have to worry about shipping.

[mommanessy247]

i thought about breeding too but was told that breeding for just 1 snake is unwise due to the fact that you'll have more rats then your snake can consume.

[alohareptiles]

i thought about breeding too but was told that breeding for just 1 snake is unwise due to the fact that you'll have more rats then your snake can consume.

That can be true in many or majority of cases. It's up to the individual and their snakes. I did it for a collection of 2 once (but please note, I'm extremely OCD and thus, probably overly focused on making it work) but I kept the rats to a 1.2 grouping and kept on freezing the excess for future use cause my snakes were fully converted to F/T. But it took awhile to get the females producing and then the group got bigger because you had to work in new breeders and retire the old. It's a never vicious cycle.

Please also note they were for tics who are garbage disposals and always eat. This is not off-feed times (outside of breeding, and some will eat up until laying eggs). A friend did this for BP's and Afrocks and had to stop because the freezer got too full during the off-feed times.

Sorry for rambling...In hindsight I possibly wouldn't have done that because it did take up a chunk of time that I would never get back and I could have just picked up my supply from the local shows. But for me, I just did it to do it.