Quick question

I've recently picked up two females and a male rat to breed as feeders. My question is do I need to feed off the male rat before the litters are born? I have heard that sometimes the males will eat the rat pups, is this true? I wanted to keep him cause I get a little attached to them, but I will feed him off if I have too.

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Originally Posted by sarahlovesmiike

I've recently picked up two females and a male rat to breed as feeders. My question is do I need to feed off the male rat before the litters are born? I have heard that sometimes the males will eat the rat pups, is this true? I wanted to keep him cause I get a little attached to them, but I will feed him off if I have too.

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he will be fine

I don't think that you will have any problems with your male. Mine couldn't care less about babies. Just make sure they have plenty to eat and drink and you should have no problems.

well i seperate my males. when im not breeading them...

The only reason to separate the males from the females is if you don't want the females getting pregnant right after birth. A female can get pregnant within 24 hours of giving birth, and there are some people who prefer to give the mom a small break between litters. Some don't, it is all a matter of preference.

In my experience, males help take care of the babies. I have seen my big boy sitting on a litter while the mom is eating. While I have also had others that could care less about the babies and leave them alone. I have never had a male who was in with his own offspring, kill them. Now, if the offspring are not those of the male's, he might kill them in order to ensure his own genetic success, but other than that, you should be fine.