is inbreeding a problem?

Yes, inbreeding the same line of rats for too many generations (more than 10 or so) will definitely cause issues. If you do not introduce new blood (by way of new breeder males) into your collection every year or so, you WILL get babies that are very small, deformed, weak and females that will produce smaller litters or none at all.

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Originally Posted by mykee

Yes, inbreeding the same line of rats for too many generations (more than 10 or so) will definitely cause issues. If you do not introduce new blood (by way of new breeder males) into your collection every year or so, you WILL get babies that are very small, deformed, weak and females that will produce smaller litters or none at all.

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This will only happen if you haphazardly breed animals. If you select your breeding stock carefully you can avoid these problems.

Being "choosey" can only get you so far. Inbreeding is inbreeding is inbreeding...
"Good stock" is not exempt from inbreeding issues. Not even good royal stock.

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Originally Posted by tomfromtheshade

Inbreeding will solidify traits in animals. If you're using good animals it solidifies the good traits. If you're using bad animals it solidifies the bad traits. That is all. Inbreeding can actually HELP to lock in good traits. As long as your stock is good you won't have a problem with it. Furthermore, it is actually advised if you have exceptionally good animals.

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I disagree.

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Originally Posted by mykee

Being "choosey" can only get you so far. Inbreeding is inbreeding is inbreeding...
"Good stock" is not exempt from inbreeding issues. Not even good royal stock.

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unless you are traveling good distances to get your breeders, you mostly likely are using related pairs. The relation might be distant but they are related. Many breeders cover areas of over 200 mile radius.

In order to make it a better test subject, the norwegian rat was selectively bred in a lab. They selected for healthy, genetic disorder free individuals. This means the probability that inbreeding will result in unhealthy animals is minimal. I don't know for a fact but I'm pretty sure these lab subjects are the origin of our feeders.

well I finally got the rats yesterday I had to go Pensacola, Florida to get them now I can only wait. Does any one have any tips for handling them? I want to keep them friendly so they will be easier to remove from the cage.

If you change them weekly they will get used to that and makes it easy to handle them. Just remember to be slow when changing so you don't spook them. Inbreeding is okay to get you started but try to mix it up if you can cause there is a difference in the number of babies you will get. Good luck.....

Will I need to remove the male once the female gives birth or will they be alright together? I'm using a fish tank by the way I think it's a 20 gallon but I'm not sure, will that be fine for raising them to 6 weeks before I kill them off?