Rats Fighting?

[bmp0341]

OK so I have 4 rats(2.2) in a 18gal Sterilite Bin. So I hear them all night throwing each other around, and I thought maybe it was the males fighting, but it seems like the two males are fighting the one female and for no particular reason. The one male has crusted red blood around his nostrils. I don't see anything else other than that on them. Idk what the deal is. Should I take one male out? If there's anything I left out let me know. Any help in appreciated

[AkHerps]

Don't know about feeders but when it comes to pet rats, fighting is okay, but once there's blood, you have to separate.

[bmp0341]

Well there's not alot of blood or anything. I was thinking since its around the nose maybe its sick or something. Possibly the others might be trying to kill it. Reason I haven't separated yet is because i don't even know who is causing the problems. I'm trying to breed feeders.

[AkHerps]

You should probably just put one male with one female, rather than 2 males with one female as it will cause more competition for the males.

[bmp0341]

Well maybe I just put one male in with the smaller males for now and see how that goes.

[sarahlovesmiike]

My rats wrestle all night long. It can get pretty annoying but whatever. The males will dominate each other, sometimes actually hurting each other, especially if there is a female in heat.

[jben]

IMHO, Since you're trying to breed for feeders I would change from 2.2 to 1.3, also in my personal experience fighting in the beginning is normal, they will settle down eventually. I would recommend you build a small rack, you will not regret it.

[bmp0341]

I mean I hear them hitting the tubs hard, I think its pretty funny actually. As long as their not killing each other and I get some damn feeders for my snakes I'm happy. But you telling me yours wrestle makes me worry less, thanks!

[bmp0341]

Ya, I think building a rack will be the best thing, Already I have a tub of mice and a 2 of rats and its like there is no room. I'll take your advice and build both a snake and a rat rack next week then.

[PghBall]

You should probably just put one male with one female, rather than 2 males with one female as it will cause more competition for the males.

You definitely want to separate the males when you are starting a breeding colony. Males will fight each other over the females and not only that, male rats will kill the offspring of other males (prob to get the females to go back into heat). You should probably do a 1.2/1.3 setup for each male. If your males are fighting with your females, don't worry about that. They will most likely sort it out. Most of my females aren't very receptive right away to my males and will "fight" him off until they are in the mood.