Improving litter size.

[leitung]

So I took the leap and decided to breed my own rats as a side project. I only have one ball python myself but I have many friends with hungry snakes so I gave it a shot while my ball python isn't hungry (for some strange reason I have yet to understand) I figured I could save me and some people i know some $ with the idea.

So anyway, I went out and bought a dedicated, non-food female to breed with my "was going to be food but got a pardon" rat. She is a rather large rat, and dad is a medium sized (but getting bigger) albino rat.

I just got my first litter today. Apparently sometime this morning she had birth. I went in to do my usual checks and tidy up the cage, and found blood drops all over the place, opened up her hide and 2 babies under her. For some reason, I was expecting more. But then again, I don't know if she managed to have more after I left from work, and haven't had a chance to check. However she was up and wandering around the cage and tending to the young already. She also never got really large as I expected.

So is this uncommon for a first time litter? Or is there steps I can take to increase litter size next time? I use mazuri food, and supplement with crackers (my rats will kill each other over a ritz cracker lol), oatmeal, sunflower seeds, e.t.c.

Is stress also a factor in litter size? I try to handle daily as I want them to be comfortable with me handling them when I need to clean enclosures, feed, and tidy the enclosure. I try my best to maintain odor control by changing bedding weekly and washing down the whole deal every 2 weeks.

Any advise is appreciated

[Rhasputin]

(not super helpful, but sunflower seeds and crackers are not good choices. Switch them out for whole grain pasta and millet seed)

[Tsanford]

I am betting your larger female rat has passed her prime and production slowed down. I start breeding my females at 6 months or 150g. After 10-15 months they are done producing large litters.

Currently all my females birth between 10-15.

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[Daigga]

Ideally, since you aren't in any rush, it would be best to buy a smaller rat and grow her up to ideal size before breeding. This way you ensure you get a healthy female that's still in her prime. I have been told that a lot of 'large' rats are retired breeders, and judging by my own experience with them (my large female dropped 4 babies) it makes sense.