Breeding question

[stupidcracker00]

Ok so I am thinking about buying my first colony of 1.2 fancy rats. The male is 4 months old and the females are weanlings and they have been used as pets. This is significant to me because I want very domesticated breeders. I want to be able to handle them without worrying about getting bitten. The male is a dumbo, one female is an all grey rat, and the other female is just a regular hooded.

So my questions are:

1) what are my chances of getting dumbos, greys/blues, and regular hoodeds?

2) can I house a 1.2 colony (including all the babies) in a 10 gallon aquarium until the babies are feeder size? I would then put them in the CO2 chamber except the dumbos and other cool ones that pop out. I'll try to sell those to pay for the costs of breeding.

Thanks in advance,
SC

[Andrew21]

I can't help on the genetics. But no, you can not keep a 1.2 with babies in a ten gallon. You can barely keep a 1.0. Also, it isn't advisable to start breeding those females so young.

[snakesRkewl]

Ok so I am thinking about buying my first colony of 1.2 fancy rats. The male is 4 months old and the females are weanlings and they have been used as pets. This is significant to me because I want very domesticated breeders. I want to be able to handle them without worrying about getting bitten.

That usually helps, but not always.

The male is a dumbo, one female is an all grey rat, and the other female is just a regular hooded.

So my questions are:

1) what are my chances of getting dumbos, greys/blues, and regular hoodeds?

dumbo is recessive and I believe hooded is also, so both mom and dad would have to be hooded or carry the gene to make hooded. Blue is also a recessive trait, so again both have to carry the gene.
Since mom is a blue, if she doesn't make blues just hold back a son and breed him back to her to make more blues.

2) can I house a 1.2 colony (including all the babies) in a 10 gallon aquarium until the babies are feeder size? I would then put them in the CO2 chamber except the dumbos and other cool ones that pop out. I'll try to sell those to pay for the costs of breeding.

Tanks are horrible for keeping rats in unless you fan out the ammonia constantly, and a 10 gallon tank isn't big enough for a 1.2 without babies let alone with a bunch of babies.
I would look into buying a home depot tub and building a wood frame with 1/2 inch wire to cover the top.
Basically just like a rack is built but no legs and only one level.

[stupidcracker00]

Ok awesome. Thanks for the tips. I think I'm gonna wait on breeding them anyways till I have more time to take care of them. From what I've read it's quite a bit of work. At least for a rack. So it wouldn't be as much with a 1.2, but still. I was just thinkin about the idea cuz I have a 10 gallon just chillin in my room and I figured i might as well use it. But since I can't, I'll just wait till I can do it right.

Thanks tho I appreciate your help.

SC

[Riv]

I currently use tanks to breed as well. I have a 40gallon with 1.4, then a 20 long with 1.3, and a 10 gallon maternity tub that I keep very pregnant mothers in until the babies are a little sturdier and wont just get trampled in the mothers original tank. I then move them back with the others until they hit the right size for feeding off. For a trio, I personally dont see anything wrong with using a 10 gallon, though if you want very controlled litters, I would recommend getting one more 10 gallon tank, and one more male. Keep the two males together and the two females together, and when you want litters, just swap rats, they'll mate, and a week later swap back. The two females will then mother the litters together and you can decide when you next want babies.

Its been a few months since I did all my reading, but Dumbo, Russian and American Blue(Your grey rat), and hooded, as well as Hairless, Albino, Black, and the Red Eyed Dilutes, are all simple recessive. The only one I can think of off the top of my head that is dominant is Rex, but im sure there are more.

You should keep in mind however, that fancy rats are like genetic grab bags, and its pretty hopeless to try and predict what will come out When I first got started, I spent days learning rat genetics trying to predict my odds, but found the majority of my rats had recessive traits I didnt see coming at all. Thats part of the fun for me. You never know what youre gonna get next litter. Good luck!

[stupidcracker00]

Ok sweet! Do you think it would be cheaper to pick up another 10 gallon tank or get a concrete mixing tub from home depot with the frame and mesh?

Thanks,
SC

[snakesRkewl]

Ammonia is heavier than air, tanks suck because they trap that ammonia in the tank so the rat breathes it causing Myco to flair up.

I do not suggest using any 10 gallon tank for keeping rats in, mice maybe, rats never, but that's just my opinion from seeing them get sick in many peoples tanks.
Large tanks can work, IF you have good air flow, but in general tanks suck for keeping rats in.

A tub with a wood frame and wire top attached to the wood frame is very simple to build and allows the tub to breath, much healthier for the rats imo.

[stupidcracker00]

Ammonia is heavier than air, tanks suck because they trap that ammonia in the tank so the rat breathes it causing Myco to flair up.

I do not suggest using any 10 gallon tank for keeping rats in, mice maybe, rats never, but that's just my opinion from seeing them get sick in many peoples tanks.
Large tanks can work, IF you have good air flow, but in general tanks suck for keeping rats in.

A tub with a wood frame and wire top attached to the wood frame is very simple to build and allows the tub to breath, much healthier for the rats imo.

Well I guess that settles that lol. Once I know for sure if I have a place to keep them, I'll be goin to home depot

Thanks for the advice!
SC

[Andrew21]

I think a tub set-up might even be cheaper than a new tank and lid.

[stupidcracker00]

Could somebody give me some advice on how to make a single tub setup? I've seen many DIY rack threads, but I'm looking for a way to just have one concrete mixer with one wire mesh screen on top. Is it as simple as to just make a square out of lumber, and staple the mesh on it, and then just laying it on top? I feel like they could get out if I did that...

Thanks,
SC