Questions about breeding females

I have two females that I thought were well on there way to producing this year. They have both locked several times and I thought they were building. All of the sudden they are SLAMMING rats like they just laid. One was still locking with a male last week and one shows little interest in the male. They are both in th 2700 gram range. Should I just write them off for this year.

Keep pairing..female go through a "Give me your cooking" phase when breeding. They are putting as much nutrition in their body as they can to lay viable eggs and not totally depleting their entire body's reserves. Feed them and keep pairing them. Might even palpate them to make sure that they have follicles.. I've got females that never miss a meal and then when they stop eating I know to look for an OVY.

I gave up years ago trying to palpate them. I never can figure out what I'm feeling. Actually been keeping my eye out for an ultrasound machine.

I'd keep feeding them until they ovy. Feed them well while they want it.

We have ultrasound. It's the first year I've used it, though, so I'm still learning. It seems that as they start to really pound the food, the follicle growth rate increases. This seems to be in the 15-25mm range. Still haven't had an ovy, but we should be close. The one closest has 26mm follicles. She only has 4, and she's a smaller girl (1100 grams), so I don't know what to guess as far as what size they'll be when she ovulates. Time will tell.

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Originally Posted by ClarkT

The one closest has 26mm follicles. She only has 4, and she's a smaller girl (1100 grams), so I don't know what to guess as far as what size they'll be when she ovulates. Time will tell.

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They tend ovulate at about 44mm, although as small as she is they might be a bit smaller when she does ovy.

What model ultrasound are you guys using? I weighed both of these girls today. One was 2756 and the other is 2901. I was told once it is easier to palpate smaller girls but I'm always scared I'll apply to much pressure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ClarkT

I'd keep feeding them until they ovy. Feed them well while they want it.

We have ultrasound. It's the first year I've used it, though, so I'm still learning. It seems that as they start to really pound the food, the follicle growth rate increases. This seems to be in the 15-25mm range. Still haven't had an ovy, but we should be close. The one closest has 26mm follicles. She only has 4, and she's a smaller girl (1100 grams), so I don't know what to guess as far as what size they'll be when she ovulates. Time will tell.

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becareful once they hit around 26mm they will usually have follicle growth that is very fast. I was checking them every 2 weeks and one of my females went from 4/1 @ 27mm to 5/1 now 40+mm and my other females when they hit the mid 20's had just about the same results. what I run my temps at compare to your temps could have a slight effect on the timing. keep a close eye on them and good luck :)