Temps for rats?

[Dragon]

What is an acceptable temperature range for rats & breeding rats? The reason for the question. Living in S Florida, I'm wondering if I can keep them outside on my second floor screened in balcony for large portions of the year.

I have neighbors that keep all sorts of animals/pets on their balconies so I'm thinking, why not a small breeding colony of rats!

The balcony faces N NE so very little direct sunlight. And when I do get direct sun, it's one corner of the balcony for a couple hours. That's a mute point anyway because that only happens during mid summer which i have to imagine is too hot, sun or no sun. It get's in the mid 90's here daily in the summer. They would be inside during the hot summer months (June through Sept).

Is this just a stupid idea or is this something that's acceptable?

[Skittles1101]

I'd say any type of extremes are not good to keep pets in. Living in Florida you guys get some serious heat, and I'd be very nervous to keep any animal outside for that...

[Dragon]

I'd say any type of extremes are not good to keep pets in. Living in Florida you guys get some serious heat, and I'd be very nervous to keep any animal outside for that...

I considered that...

It get's in the mid 90's here daily in the summer. They would be inside during the hot summer months (June through Sept).

[PitOnTheProwl]

anything over 90 start to slow breeding down and if they get into the mid 90s you might start losing them

[Annageckos]

What kind of caging do you have for the rats? Anything enclosed, like glass or plastic will keep in too much heat and likely kill the rats. Rats are best kept at around 60-80 F. If they are too hot they will not breed, and with the humidity in FL it will make it worse. Remember, rats naturally live in borrows in the ground, where it stays cool and consistent most the year. And rat pups (like most young animals) can not control their body temps, so if it is too hot it can kill them. Also if you keep them outside they will attract wild rats (females in heat will attract males), then you may have problems with parasites and diseases.

[elduki]

Agreed

[Dragon]

OK, good info gang. Thank you!

[wolfy-hound]

You also need to worry about other wild animals like birds, especially birds of prey that could be attracted, and even one perching nearby could stress the rats out. Stressed rats do all the bad things.

I'm in Florida waaaay north of you(NE) and I wouldn't keep rats outdoors, although I DO know of one rattery that consistently bred their rats outdoors almost exclusively very near me. They used wire caging like rabbit breeders use, so the rats had a high incidence of bumblefoot and such, but they bred commercially and were pretty successful. They had a big covered pavilion and ran fans during summer. No idea how many they lost to heat or whatever.