What to do

[carlson]

If I want to breed a female from my first litter back to her dad but still want to keep the dad and mom together should I just leave her in the tank with them too grow up and when she's old enough they'll breed or should I put her in her own tank till she's older?

[Capray]

I personally am partial to separating them, even if she does become pregnant when she has her first rat ovulation, you don't exactly want her pregnant that young as her body isn't ready. she should be at least 3-4 months old and mostly full grown when you breed her. Also, only inbreed once in a generation, rats aren't quite like snakes!

[SouljaOfKhaos]

Female rats can come into heat as early as 5 weeks of age and that is a bit too early as the female isn't fully developed herself and she is still very tiny. I would separate the young female until she is a few months. Then place her in with the male.

[carlson]

K I'm gonna take her out soon just getting a shelf done shes almost five weeks now n I'd hate for her to have babies

[SouljaOfKhaos]

It's no problem. I'm glad I could be of help

[Michelle.C]

Inbreeding can be a very positive thing. Most rat breeders work with lines where Inbreeding Percentages are 60-80% and upwards. Just remember, whatever traits they have will be set in stone the higher inbreeding percentage you get to. So if you are looking to improve health, inbreed and do selective breeding with the healthiest offspring. Select against other traits you do not wish to continue in the line.

The alternative is out crossing continually and trying to avoid these issues, but they eventually catch up to you unless you have constant out crosses. And remember how many negative things you have likely introduced in the line by continually out crossing.

In short, inbreeding one generation is almost as dangerous as inbreeding 10 generations. But inbreeding can also be extremely helpful to a line if you properly select against negative traits (cancers, aggression, small litters, cannibalization, poor respiratory system, etc.)

[carlson]

I wanna toss her to her dad because they are both Russian blue Rex