How many rats per tub?

Hey guys,

I am starting to get a solid rat colony going, and I am starting to get a little concerned about overcrowding. I have a 6 tub rack based on
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml

Currently, our production is still small scale (3.4 breeders with a couple more being held back), so we dont have the need for a maternity rack yet, but I think I may build one this summer. Anyway, the measurements on the tubs are 26x20x6. How many rats do you think is good to keep in each tub? Keep in mind that I am talking about breeding rats AND mom's with pups, and to some extent, grow-outs (our biggest mouth to feed isnt eating right now).

Thanks.

If you need some extra quick space, to free up the rack, make some sterilite tubs, 54 qt or larger, for the nursing mothers or grow ups.

We had 2 of those tubs going for maternity tubs while we still had the 6 tub rack going. We had 12 females and something like 4 males. (have a bunch of those tubs not in use anymore hanging out in the garage ;))

Per tub, if it's just small females, I can put like 5 or 6, 4 or 5 if they are large.

If it's breeders, 1.4 max for me. I don't like to do to many breeders in one tub.

In my opinion, you have a ways to go before you run out of room. Just stop holding back males like we did, and you'll be fine. :gj:

1.4!!! Whoah...yeah, we have way more room to go.

We have the 3 males from you right now, one accidental hold back that I am going to put down, and a self beige male from Ophelia's litter that we want to hold back. We held back too many females from our first litters, so I am trying to find people to either use them for feeders or take them as pets, otherwise I will just see if a petstore will take them.

Thanks again