Starting a Small Colony - Question.

I have a few live-only feeders and have decided that I'd like to start a small colony for these guys. I plan on freezing any leftover rats for the rest of my gang. I'd like to get 1.3 to start out with. I will be feeding 3-5 hatchlings-yearlings (Ball Pythons) on live until I can get them switched.

I have experience breeding ASF's but I prefer Hooded Rats...

Anyway, I am wondering what size tub would be suitable? I plan on keeping the colony together at all times until I feel the females need a break from breeding and I will separate them..

I am looking for the smallest tub size DIMENSIONS for a 1.3 group. I was thinking of using a 105 quart sterilite latch-box but I am not sure if that is bigger then I really need. It's about 33"x20" and 15" high. I plan on separating the weanlings by gender in 27 Quart tubs which measure 17"x14" and 12" high until they are either fed off or euthanized.

Eventually I will build a rack but for the amount of snakes I am feeding at the moment I don't feel the need to do that.

I also plan on using 1/2" hardware cloth for air circulation and a food/water hopper.

Let me know what you keep your groups in. I need dimensions or I will be totally lost. If you have any other advice for me I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Well the dimensions your mentioned sound very good. I used to hold 1.4 in a 2 foot wide by 3 foot long tub and i had 3 of them in a rack to make it easier. All my rats feed on live and i used to have about 7 females and 3 males that i would selectively breed and let me tell you, it gets out of hand REAL quick. I actually ended up stopping after 3 or 4 months because it cost me too much money in bedding and food to make it worth my while. I only had 6 snakes to feed also!

You will find this out, or you will find that its perfect for your situation and gives you more options than ever. All i can do is wish you good luck and try and breed dumbos and different coats like Rex, Variegated, capped, hooded, etc.

Just have a feed and tack store nearby so you can get bedding and rodent block in bulk and cheaper.

well you can keep a trio of BIG rats in a 10g so a 20L would be more than sufficient

BUILD A RACK


Even if its only three levels it is better than what you are planning in the end.

Gravity feeder
Potential for easy auto water.
easy to clean
easy to replace damaged tub.

A 34"L X 16"W X 13"H tub (90qt sterilite) can house a 1.4 breeding group fine. I've got a 1.2 group in one and they seem to have plenty of room for playing and stretching out to sleep. No babies yet, but I think it'll be fine.

With your group, I recommend putting your wood bedding in, then a heaping handful of shredded paper if possible. I find my females occasionally like to burrow under the bedding to sleep, and that will be a good thing to do if you aren't going to provide any sort of hide boxes for them. It also will give them a good nesting material.

I recommend against a gravity water thing. What if it malfunctions and you don't realize it? It will flood the bins and kill the rats and ruin the flooring of the room. Personally, I don't think it's hard to get 1-3 big water bottles, fill them, and check them once every day or two. I recommend glass bottles if they're inside the cage, but just make sure you keep an eye on rubber stoppers or any plastic; they love to chew.

Another thing: put the ventilation on the sides if you don't want to build an actual rack. That way you can stack the bins with ease. Easier than building a rack you may not need for a long time.

suzuki is right, a rack is the best way to go. i cant wait til i get more racks to go with the one ive got so far so i can get rid of all the terrible glass tanks

Thanks for the info guys. As I stated I do not want to build a rack for one colony. It's just a waste of money and time for me right now..

So I guess my tub would be good enough if I decide to add one more female. Perfect.

Thanks again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sarin

Thanks for the info guys. As I stated I do not want to build a rack for one colony. It's just a waste of money and time for me right now..

So I guess my tub would be good enough if I decide to add one more female. Perfect.

Thanks again.

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They will chew thru it..............TRUST me. It happened to me when I had a small colony. Same as you, 3 females and 1 male. If they are fine for the first month they are fooling you, they chew and when they do your screwed.
Only use a glass tank if your looking at getting just one enclosure for them. It will save you time, money and alot of annoyance and stress.

Thanks.. But I see a lot of people who use tubs. Some have chew outs, some do not. I am willing to take that risk. (Watch me get a chew out now!) They will not be in my home so I am not worried if I happen to have a few escapees. I plan on giving them as much to do as I possibly can to try to prevent this.

Would a 64 Quart tub work or would this be pushing it for 1.3? (26"x16"x 13"H)

Thanks again. I know I am stubborn but I just want to see how these tubs will work out for me.

I have had only one chew out in the last year plus using Sterilite tubs. I've just been to lazy to build a rack. One day I'll get on that.