Your largest litter at one time, from one rat?

Hey everyone!

My rats are in cycle, and I'm onto litter no.5 this week. However, my first litter was 14 babies!!

I'm not sure if that is a record, but I'm just blown away. Her sister is due any day now, and I feel so bad for her, as she is just huge!
My second litter was 6, but 2 were not fed, and I think she didn't care for them, and I found one in the middle of my bin just bleeding (not sure if she pulled it out to save her life or what) and I think another was eaten...unclear. (my ratio is 3:10) as I cycle my males.

My question is, what has been your highest litter from one rat?

So far my largest was/is 12. I have heard of litters of 18 though... 14 is a hefty litter! :)

it was her first too. my friend was breeding rats for $, and she never had more than 3. I tell her my usual average is 10, and she gets mad at me. Maybe it is due to plenty of supply of food, and fresh water??

Yeah sounds like she has got to figure something out. Shes gotta be doing something wrong. My average is 9 per litter right now but I have only had 3 drop and the moms are new...

I honestly have to many to keep track of litter sizes. But I am constantly blown away by how many babies can be produced in one week! I don't separate my pregnant females. They are always together and all of the mothers feed all of the babies. But I can clean the tubs and think I have a handle on the numbers, feed and water until the next weeks cleaning day and HOLY MOLY where did all of those babies come from!

I think it was Snakesrkewl who had like 32 in one litter? I could be wrong with the member and number of pups, but it was up there.
And I've heard of people getting 20+ pups at a time.

8-12 is the average.
For me personally, 11-15 is average.

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I agree. I find it easier, and safer with all the moms in there together. I think my friends problem, was the mom was all by herself. Usually the mom would kill (lay on) all her babies.

I currently have 5 cages, three tubs, and one glass. Once I go back to work (and kids are in daycare). I will built a double rack. Left side pregnant, right side, in breeding. I'll have another spot for all the weaned babies which will be food for the snakes. If I produce any more American Blues, those will be sold to cover cost of rat chow and bedding (which thankfully, I found amazing prices for).

I have 2 more moms ready to go any day. Amazing how fast they produce, and the numbers they can provide.

Tfpets, any pics of your set up?

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Originally Posted by satomi325

I think it was Snakesrkewl who had like 32 in one litter? I could be wrong with the member and number of pups, but it was up there.
And I've heard of people getting 20+ pups at a time.

8-12 is the average.
For me personally, 11-15 is average.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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I'm guessing with a super jumbo rat? I couldn't see a young rat popping out that many...........lol......or....?

32...wow!

I have one that kicks out around 18-22, but on average 10-15.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by satomi325

I think it was Snakesrkewl who had like 32 in one litter? I could be wrong with the member and number of pups, but it was up there.
And I've heard of people getting 20+ pups at a time.

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I have not had any litters that large, but have had 3 litters of 19 and two of those lost one pup.

Rich of richsballpythons is the one who says he got 32...

Yeah, Rich has had some huge litters.
Mine average 10 to 15:D

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.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

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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:

question, I hope this is ok. I just took the recently dead rat, and fed it to my very underfed bp instead of throwing it out. she took it right away.

Just got a litter of 23 babies but looks like the mom wants nothing to do with them :( so i moved some to a mom that had a small litter about a week ago and tomorrow if i still dont see any milk band on the babies ill see if one of my other moms with rat pups will take them.

Largest was 16, normally it is 8-12.

I have a girl that gives me 15+ every time. Her biggest litter was 23.