Your largest litter at one time, from one rat?

I always have two girls in together to help average out the workload. Typically around 20-30 per pair depending on the moms. I try to pair new moms with moms that have done this a few times, so their babies have a better chance of survival, and new mom gets some help learning how to be a mom.

once my rats get into the 35-80 gram range, my snakes will be haaaaaaapy. (currently on filler food with the mice I'm breeding) which are producing so much faster atm.

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

I always have two girls in together to help average out the workload. Typically around 20-30 per pair depending on the moms. I try to pair new moms with moms that have done this a few times, so their babies have a better chance of survival, and new mom gets some help learning how to be a mom.

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I'm making sure I have at least 2 mom's together as well. Which I think helps with the success rate. I have had only the one mom so far, and now all her daughters are having their own litters. :D

Today is cleaning day so I will get some pics up later! My setup is just a 4 concrete mixing tub rack. Typically 1.5 adults per tub.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/IMAG0823.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...IMAG0827-1.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/IMAG0834.jpg

My biggest was 14

I had two litters of 20 from two separate mothers. They were related though, mother and daughter. Both times, 1 baby died early on so they raised 19 with no help from me or other mothers (I housed them alone). My average was probably 12-14.

There was also one time I got a new female from a pet store. She was pretty young, but apparently old enough to have babies. She had one GIANT baby; I was shocked she even survived, it was so big. like about 1/4 her size. I raised him up to be a breeder, and he turned out to be average sized. After that, her litters were normal (size and number). I guess she just hadn't mated enough times the first time around to fertilize all the eggs. :)

My average is usually around 10-15 as well. Moms are in groups 1.3 so they have a little help.


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Originally Posted by Tfpets

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/IMAG0823.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...IMAG0827-1.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/IMAG0834.jpg

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Thanks for sharing. That's exactly what I plan on building. These cages I have and trying to maintain them all is becoming 1-2 hour job alone. Plus, I know I'm wasting food, as it doesn't sit like it does in your pics. I have lots of water bottles, so that works too, and running lines can be a lot of work.

I average 11-13, but have had a litter of 15.

My two big mommas had their babies tonight, I'm sure at the exact same time. I see one dead one off to the side. I'll wait for mom to ease down a bit, find some tongs to grab it...both litters look huge!! :banana: