Rats to Snakes!

I have a few questions, I'm looking to set up a small skill operation of breeding rats.
I'm looking to only produce up to Mediums - with large a possible within the first year of starting.

Number one question is, How long should I wait in between litters to reintroduce the male? I don't want to stress the female rats out by breeding them too fast. I want happy rats.

How many Mediums, Small, and weaned can a single rat produce in a month?

How do people kill them in this business? I'm guessing Co2? or is there a better way of killing them?

Also, how do you Sex a rat? Is it self explanatory?

I can't answer your other questions... but as far as sexing is concerned...

For weaned juveniles and adults, it is very easy, just look for big balls on the males.

For babies it is a little trickier, but still possible. Basically you'll be looking at the ano-genital spacing, and once they start growing fur you can look for nipples on the females.

Perhaps not the best picture, but here you can see there's a little bit more distance between the anus and genitals on the male, where the female's are almost right on top of each other.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...comparison.jpg

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Originally Posted by Newbie Ball

I have a few questions, I'm looking to set up a small skill operation of breeding rats.
I'm looking to only produce up to Mediums - with large a possible within the first year of starting.

Number one question is, How long should I wait in between litters to reintroduce the male? I don't want to stress the female rats out by breeding them too fast. I want happy rats.

I wait 4-5 weeks to wean and 3-4 weeks after weaning for mom to rest :)

How many Mediums, Small, and weaned can a single rat produce in a month?

I produce 10-20 rats a month it take 5-8 weeks to grow out to smalls

How do people kill them in this business? I'm guessing Co2? or is there a better way of killing them?

CO2 is in my opnion the best way to euthanize rats in quanity

Also, how do you Sex a rat? Is it self explanatory?

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