So I took the leap and decided to breed my own rats as a side project. I only have one ball python myself but I have many friends with hungry snakes so I gave it a shot while my ball python isn't hungry (for some strange reason I have yet to understand) I figured I could save me and some people i know some $ with the idea.
So anyway, I went out and bought a dedicated, non-food female to breed with my "was going to be food but got a pardon" rat. She is a rather large rat, and dad is a medium sized (but getting bigger) albino rat.
I just got my first litter today. Apparently sometime this morning she had birth. I went in to do my usual checks and tidy up the cage, and found blood drops all over the place, opened up her hide and 2 babies under her. For some reason, I was expecting more. But then again, I don't know if she managed to have more after I left from work, and haven't had a chance to check. However she was up and wandering around the cage and tending to the young already. She also never got really large as I expected.
So is this uncommon for a first time litter? Or is there steps I can take to increase litter size next time? I use mazuri food, and supplement with crackers (my rats will kill each other over a ritz cracker lol), oatmeal, sunflower seeds, e.t.c.
Is stress also a factor in litter size? I try to handle daily as I want them to be comfortable with me handling them when I need to clean enclosures, feed, and tidy the enclosure. I try my best to maintain odor control by changing bedding weekly and washing down the whole deal every 2 weeks.
Any advise is appreciated