Re: When to start breeding feeders?
Ok I currently have 12 females and 4 males. I know that I need to pick up at least 4 or 5 more females but you would suggest a couple more males? I know tons of people who I could sell/trade the extra feeders to if I ever got to that point, but I need 25-30 smalls per week minimum. What ratio would you suggest?
LOL Jamie, if I figure anything out, I will let you know. :cool:
Re: When to start breeding feeders?
Quote:
Originally Posted by catawhat75
Ok I currently have 12 females and 4 males. I know that I need to pick up at least 4 or 5 more females but you would suggest a couple more males? I know tons of people who I could sell/trade the extra feeders to if I ever got to that point, but I need 25-30 smalls per week minimum. What ratio would you suggest?
LOL Jamie, if I figure anything out, I will let you know. :cool:
It sounds like your ratio is already very high. Assuming you have 2 females per tank/tube means you could be getting 8 litters per rotation (4 males X 2 per tub = 8) then move the males...but you could only move them 2 times before you are back to the original females. So I assume you are keeping the males in with the females longer and/or seperating the males while the females give birth and ween the youngins? (either way you have idol males).
So you need more females...you want to aim for a male to visit a particular female every 12 weeks (4 weeks to birth, 4 to ween and 4 to rest).
Here is how to maximize your breeding (with 4 males) = 4 tubs w/2 females male goes in for 4 weeks, move males to next 4 tubs for 4 weeks, move males to next 4 tubs for 4 weeks, then move males back to original tubs. So you need 12 tubs of 2 girls each = 24 females. BUT seperate the timing of the males into 2 sets (so 2 tubs then 2 weeks later put the other 2 males in the other tubs) this will spread out when the babies are born by 2 weeks.
This could mean 4 litters every 2 weeks = (assume 12 per litter)= 48 babies every 2 weeks.
This is what you need...then add more females (maybe 3 per tub to get you extras to sell):D
Re: When to start breeding feeders?
Awesome :D Thanks! I thought I had more males than I needed, my daughter keeps doing the "mom I really really like this one, please I promise I won't pick any more" dance. I told her 4 was it, no more! She can pick out as many females as she likes, lol. The males are seperated from the females, all rats right now but two are too small to breed. I like to get them young and raise them up so I know they are healthy and fed what I want them to be fed. In another 6 weeks or so all should be of breeding size female wise, I know the males are more than ready to go, lol. The local show is next weekend and I know of ONE person there I trust to have healthy rats, so hopefully I will pick up a couple breeding size females then.
Right now what I have is a two tier wooden rack system that is 3x2x1 for them to grow to size in once weaned, and 12 tubs. I also have a couple spare aquariums but I really don't think I will ever use those- ugh what a pain to keep anything clean in them.
I appreciate your insight- and sorry to hijack the thread :oops:
Re: When to start breeding feeders?
I keep my males with the females. I built a rack out of cement tubs. It has 8 trays with 1.4 rats. I pull a few each week and than have two trays for grow ups. There is always some reptile perosn that wants rats or freeze your extras. I usuallly start a few new trays every other month. So when some racks are on their way down in production. The others are just rampoing up.
Re: When to start breeding feeders?
Quote:
Originally Posted by smilin-buddha
I keep my males with the females. I built a rack out of cement tubs. It has 8 trays with 1.4 rats. I pull a few each week and than have two trays for grow ups. There is always some reptile perosn that wants rats or freeze your extras. I usuallly start a few new trays every other month. So when some racks are on their way down in production. The others are just rampoing up.
The concern with leaving the males with the females is that the females can get pregnant again as soon as they give birth...this doesn't given them enough time to regain lost weight and bone density that was lost given birth. Then add to that the need to nurse for another 4 weeks.
It is really unhealthy for the female and in my opinion cruel to them. It will shorten their lives and you will get lower quality feeders over time. My recommendation is to remove the males when it is time for the females to give birth.
Re: When to start breeding feeders?
Quote:
Originally Posted by catawhat75
I appreciate your insight- and sorry to hijack the thread :oops:
Glad I could help...if you have any other questions just shoot me a PM. :D
