How would you manage this?

[MrLang]

I have 2.4 rats in a 4 drawer rack. Currently I keep the 2 males together and have 2 pairs of females with 1 empty tub.

How would you go about rotating them through tubs for breeding? I am a bit concerned about reintroducing the males after they have mated. My original plan was to have the male breeders and grow-outs in one tub, 1 'rest' tub with the breeder females along side grow-out females, one tub for pairing, and one tub for birthing and weaning. I'd put the males in the pairing tub with whichever female/s I want bred and basically rotate them down to the birthing tub.

1. How would YOU do it? Would you do 1.2 colonies in 2 tubs and have 1 birthing tub and 1 grow-out tub for males AND females? This gives nowhere for the females to rest between breedings...

2. Can females with different aged babies rear their young in the same tub? Can a female give birth in a tub that has another female with a litter in it?

3. Will the males kill the grow-out males if they're all together as the grow-out males are introduced? Will the male breeders kill each other after pairing if they've been housed together since 5 weeks old?

4. Am I worrying too much about the rats killing each other and eating babies?


Sorry, there are obviously more than 4 questions there. I just want to make sure I'm treating my breeders fairly and I'm not going to create a slaughterhouse by accident.

Thanks!
Jon

[snakesRkewl]

4. Am I worrying too much about the rats killing each other and eating babies?

yes
It happens occasionally, but it's not the norm.

[SlitherinSisters]

IMO you should take the male out when there are babies. I prefer that my females have their own tub, that will ensure that no babies are killed in a fight over who is going to care for them. Some females with fight, others won't, but I have not had any success leaving the male in the with females and babies. There are a few moms I always double up with another female rat because they don't care for their babies very well on their own. For example if you find cold babies you'll want to throw in another female that knows what she is doing that will keep them warm.