Rack types--Advice

[ThyTempest]

Hey everyone,

I am still breeding rats on a pretty small scale, but I am really interested in expanding my reptile collect, and thus, my rat colony. I may end up abandoning the idea by making an ASF rack, but I want to cover my bases in case I stick with domestic rats.

I am currently using a 6 cement tub rack, and it is working out really well (see my other thread about the overcrowding), but as I expand, I wanted to see what type of rack people think I should make.

Basically, I have not decided if I should build another rack just like/very similar to the one I have now, or if I should build a higher capacity rack made for single moms, probably using litter pans (see http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat...ing_rack.shtml)

I dont think the rack type is really the issue at hand here, I think it is whether communal birthing or separating the preggo moms is best, although if anyone has any advice on the rack styles themselves, please speak up.

Thanks

[littleindiangirl]

If you think you may in the future go to ASF's more heavily, I'd recommend going with the van ness litter pan rack. It can be used as maternity rack, or as an ASF rack, or both if you'd like.

I prefer mothers to nurse seperately. I have more control over my colony that way, and no chance of fighting or stealing. Mother rats are perfectly capable of nursing their own litter, I see no reason why they would need help, but I rather view communal nursing as more distracting and stressful for them with so many things that can go wrong. Can it be done? Yes, of course it can.

[ThyTempest]

We have only birthed 4 litters, 2 of them were done in a pair, and the other two separately. As far as we could tell, we didnt have any deaths in any of the litters, but the second of the individual litters had almost twice as many pups in it. I dont think this had much to do with the communal nesting, but still worth mentioning.

Thanks for the tip Connie. Are you currently using a similar rack for your ASF's, or still in the sterilite tubs? Also, how many ASF's would be good for the large litter pans?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

As far as ASF rack you can use something like this



Just make sure to use ¼ hardware cloth for your ASF.

You can house anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 asf in those tubs without any problems.

[ThyTempest]

What tubs are those Deb?

I know Connie has been hassling you for the magic answer for wheel + rack= easy and less chew out risk.

They look deeper than the litter pans, and I think those would be potentially better for rats or ASF's (what are the dimensions?). I like giving the rats as much height as possibel, without sacrificing the utility of the rack, and the extra heigh for a wheel would be great for ASF's

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Those are the tubs I use http://www.amazon.com/Doskocil-Litte...860605&sr=8-17

(bought them there too, best price and only $5 for shipping), yes there is space for a small wheel for the ASF

Dimensions 22 1/4 in. long x 16 3/4 in. wide x 6 3/4 in

And if you need the DIY for the rack http://stewartreptiles.com/Articles/...eding_Rack.pdf

What tubs are those Deb?

I know Connie has been hassling you for the magic answer for wheel + rack= easy and less chew out risk.

They look deeper than the litter pans, and I think those would be potentially better for rats or ASF's (what are the dimensions?). I like giving the rats as much height as possibel, without sacrificing the utility of the rack, and the extra heigh for a wheel would be great for ASF's