A Few Questions about Breeding Rats

[rabernet]

I wasn't sure if I should add onto Ssscales' post or start a new one - but I think it's a different question all together - so new thread! LOL

I've not reached the point of deciding to breed myself yet - space being a premium in my apartment - and I'd rather use it for snakes. BUT, my weekly feeding bill is going to reach the point this summer, that it warrants serious consideration.

With 10-14 potential snakes by the end of the summer (and holding for a few years) - if you didn't want to be over-run with rats, but want to have a steady feeding source - what would you recommend for size of breeding colony? I doubt I'd feed much larger than multiple rat pups (if I'm defining them correctly) or single smalls per feeding.

[frankykeno]

Arrgh I hate math Robin but let me give you an idea from my own records....

Each of my females delivers approximately 10 - 12 young (smallest litter 9, largest 15 so far, most average around 12)....takes them about 24 to 28 days to reach wean size...depending on what size and how many you're pulling out of each litter I think to feed 10 younger snakes you probably should start with say 1 male and 4 females....just to get your feet wet on breeding....it may not immediately cover all your feeding needs but it'll get you started w/o being overwhelmed

I like to breed my females in pairs so that should I lose a female, have one female deliver a massive litter, or have a female that has poor mothering - I have another nursing female right there handy.

You could rotate two females in...get them preggers...rotate them out and in go the next pair of girls with your male. Then you would have a constant 18-20 or more rat young total for each female duo, basically about 2 weeks feed for 10 snakes (less if they eat multiples).

If you set it up the way I do (and it's certainly not the only way) you should be able to do the rack and four tubs for under $80.00 easily, toss in a bag of aspen and some homemade rat mix and the costs of 5 rats (usually $5.00 a pop or less at your local decent pet store) into the budget. My rack measurements including the top tub are 14 deep x 34 wide by 66 high just to give you an idea of space issues.

Hope this was of some help.

~~Jo~~