Male Rats

Hey, I have a question about male rats. How long do you breed them before you retire them?

Typically a year or maybe a little more. Depending on thier health

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Typically a year or maybe a little more. Depending on thier health

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Ok thanks

I've used male rats well into their 2nd year if they remain healthy and able to father good litters. Really depends on the male rat and his overall health. I always have a few good old boys hanging around taking a turn in the breeding tubs but most of our male rats are younger. The oldest male I ever had breed was a good 2.5 years of age if not more. Just before he passed away he managed to father two very nice litters. Died in the saddle one might say. :D

I have one male that is 2+ years old. He is still pretty virile :) He is healthy and robust though.. I figure that a little mating is not that much of a stress. I only keep him with 1-2 females at once. The females that he is breeding just become built-in cagemates for him :) I am raising one of his sons now though, because I wold like him to live out his days in a calmer environment; just with one female at a time, as I don't want him alone, but also can't just put him with a retired female, as they'd breed..