How many rats per tub?

[ThyTempest]

Hey guys,

I am starting to get a solid rat colony going, and I am starting to get a little concerned about overcrowding. I have a 6 tub rack based on
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml

Currently, our production is still small scale (3.4 breeders with a couple more being held back), so we dont have the need for a maternity rack yet, but I think I may build one this summer. Anyway, the measurements on the tubs are 26x20x6. How many rats do you think is good to keep in each tub? Keep in mind that I am talking about breeding rats AND mom's with pups, and to some extent, grow-outs (our biggest mouth to feed isnt eating right now).

Thanks.

[littleindiangirl]

If you need some extra quick space, to free up the rack, make some sterilite tubs, 54 qt or larger, for the nursing mothers or grow ups.

We had 2 of those tubs going for maternity tubs while we still had the 6 tub rack going. We had 12 females and something like 4 males. (have a bunch of those tubs not in use anymore hanging out in the garage )

Per tub, if it's just small females, I can put like 5 or 6, 4 or 5 if they are large.

If it's breeders, 1.4 max for me. I don't like to do to many breeders in one tub.

In my opinion, you have a ways to go before you run out of room. Just stop holding back males like we did, and you'll be fine.

[ThyTempest]

1.4!!! Whoah...yeah, we have way more room to go.

We have the 3 males from you right now, one accidental hold back that I am going to put down, and a self beige male from Ophelia's litter that we want to hold back. We held back too many females from our first litters, so I am trying to find people to either use them for feeders or take them as pets, otherwise I will just see if a petstore will take them.

Thanks again