Breeding Rats

I'm interested in breeding rats for my four snakes ( two corn snakes and two carpet pythons). in the past I have tried to breed rats (on 2 -3 occasions) and only one time was it a success.

Can someone please tell me all the steps I need to properly breed rats?

I heard there was a type of a food i should buy call mazuria or something like?

what size tank do i need to keep them in?

one male to how many females is a good number?

can i keep the babies with the mother until i need them for a certain size? or can i take them whenever i want?

Most of the time when I tried to breed them it was with petco rats that always seem to be in good health but they just never produced any babies for me.

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Originally Posted by JungleCarpet81

I'm interested in breeding rats for my four snakes ( two corn snakes and two carpet pythons). in the past I have tried to breed rats (on 2 -3 occasions) and only one time was it a success.

Can someone please tell me all the steps I need to properly breed rats?

I heard there was a type of a food i should buy call mazuria or something like?

what size tank do i need to keep them in?

one male to how many females is a good number?

can i keep the babies with the mother until i need them for a certain size? or can i take them whenever i want?

Most of the time when I tried to breed them it was with petco rats that always seem to be in good health but they just never produced any babies for me.

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Rats do best at a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio. Petstore rats are usually sold at about 6 weeks of age which means it could be a month or even a few months before they will be ready to breed. Males can breed as early as a month old, but its not recomended. Though for snake food it dosent matter much. The babies can be taken from the mother at 3 1/2 weeks, but best to leave in until 5 1/2. Rats cycles are every three to five days, but can differ from rat to rat depending on how old. Rats can usually be bred up to three times. The food dosent matter as long as you supply plenty of protien for the mothers. (Mazuri is a good brand of food that is specifically for breeding rats) Rats can be kept in anywhere from plastic tubs (not recommended but easy to clean, just needs to be cleaned more often) to large wire cages that can be two stories high. (which is is rediculous) well idk hope that helped. xD

I bred for a few months, but had to stop because I didn't have much time due to school. I had 1.4 and 3 of the 4 have me 13-16 babies each. I used plastic caging, but if you have any edges to which they can chew they will. You can use plastic cages, they work well just shop around for the right one. Everyone will have their own opinion of food, but high protein is good plus veggies like carrots and cauliflower. Aspen bedding is recommended, but you can use different bedding. You can put in cereal boxes and egg cartridge for them to hide in. They are cool to watch and play with but be ready for cleaning tubs once to twice a week.

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I did the same thing as you when I first started. I tried 2 different times before I actually got it to work. The first time I tried I got rats from Petco (1 male and 2 female mediums). I had them together in an aquarium in my basement for about 5months and nothing happened. The second time same thing.

So when it finally got to the point that I needed to breed rats I went and built a small rack that had only 3 tubs in it. I put the rack in my snake room so that it would be warm and I purchased another 1.2 group but this time from a breeder at a reptile show. After one month I had one litter and one pregnant. So my suggestion is to get a proper enclosure (a rack or an aquarium with places to hide work the best I have found) buy rats from a breeder and make sure they are warm. To cold and they dont breed well.

As for the food I have used many different types but I found a complete diet block works the best for me. I have used Mazuri, Kent, and even Kaytee with success.

The babies can be fed off at any time you need them. Of course if you want bigger rats they need to stay with mom until weaned.

I hope this helps. :D