Inbreeding, how many generations should be skipped?

I was curious as to how many generations people skip to avoid inbreeding. I was thinking 3 or 4 generations (for feeders)? Does it vary whether you are breeding for feeders or for keepers. Or do you totally avoid inbreeding rats?

I have been breeding rats for a few years, and have never skipped generations. If there is something wrong with the rats, they will likely be killed by the mom, other rats, or natural causes. Survival of the fittest.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

I have been breeding rats for a few years, and have never skipped generations. If there is something wrong with the rats, they will likely be killed by the mom, other rats, or natural causes. Survival of the fittest.

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I assume you feed all of them off? What if you want a new breeder, do you get one from outside of your colony, or do you breed the already inbred ones?

I've bred rats for 16 years. Normally, I choose males from separate bins than females and develop colonies at earliest age possible. I don't rotate males nor do I use birthing racks. Only time I use any separate rack are grow out racks.

I produce 1100-1500 rats per week normally.

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Originally Posted by Isis

I assume you feed all of them off? What if you want a new breeder, do you get one from outside of your colony, or do you breed the already inbred ones?

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I breed the already inbred ones.

I usually breed 2 generations maybe 3, I always old back some of the females I produce for future breeder (I hold them back based on temperament of the mother and whether or not the mother is/was a good breeder) and every 16/18 months or so I retire the males and buy some new ones to add new blood in.

So I don't really count I just have that routine going

I haven't added any new stock to my rat colony in about 5 years. I've got friends who haven't added new breeding stock in almost 20 years. Adding new individuals also adds the diseases that they have which your current colony may not have any immunities to.

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

I've bred rats for 16 years. Normally, I choose males from separate bins than females and develop colonies at earliest age possible. I don't rotate males nor do I use birthing racks. Only time I use any separate rack are grow out racks.

I produce 1100-1500 rats per week normally.

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Holy moly that's a lot of rats!

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

I breed the already inbred ones.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I usually breed 2 generations maybe 3, I always old back some of the females I produce for future breeder (I hold them back based on temperament of the mother and whether or not the mother is/was a good breeder) and every 16/18 months or so I retire the males and buy some new ones to add new blood in.

So I don't really count I just have that routine going

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Originally Posted by MarkS

I haven't added any new stock to my rat colony in about 5 years. I've got friends who haven't added new breeding stock in almost 20 years. Adding new individuals also adds the diseases that they have which your current colony may not have any immunities to.

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Ok cool. I really don't want to bring more rats in. Last time I brought home a new rat I lost 15 in the course of a month.

I imagine I will bring in new blood some day, but I fear the risk of contamination, even with QT, is too high for me to warrant it.

Rats are good about going for generations and maintain high quality production. Just be smart about what you hold back, only the best, which means, not the prettiest. :gj:

Inbreeding isn't what harms your gene pool. Bad genes harm your gene pool. If you select your stock carefully the inbreeding just locks in the good traits. If your stock is poor inbreeding will also lock in the bad traits.

Be VERY selective with your stock. If there is the SMALLEST thing wrong with a rat you need to cull it. Only keep your perfect stock back for breeders and you will be just fine.