Are 80+ degree temps too high for my rats to breed in?

I have a small colony of rats. 1 male & 4 females. The 2 solid white females have had 1 litter each with my male, but that was back in March. Now they won't breed again. The other 2 females are still virgins. They're all old enough too. But since the temps have risen, they seem to have stopped. I have them in a small bedroom without any a/c. It gets into the 80's. Is that too warm? Thanks!

It's doable but the higher the temps the lower the production and over 90's you will run into serious issues.

Optimum temps are in the 70's for maximum production.

My room temps varies from 48 to 86 depending on the time of the year.

I guess I could move them. It's just that my house is so small. Do you think a fan would suffice?

P.S. I love your avi! :rofl:

Sorry to kind of hijack here, but this is along the same lines. What then is the minimum temperature to still get decent production? And more on topic, I haven't ever had a problem with mine, but it usually doesn't pass the mid 80s in my basement.

I started losing litters when it hit 88, no adult losses, just babies under a week old.

I keep it at about 85-86 during the summer with no issues, just make sure there's tons of airflow and the cages are super clean. I also kept frozen tiles on top of each tub to cool it down.

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Originally Posted by Kat_Dog

I started losing litters when it hit 88, no adult losses, just babies under a week old.

I keep it at about 85-86 during the summer with no issues, just make sure there's tons of airflow and the cages are super clean. I also kept frozen tiles on top of each tub to cool it down.

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Good idea with the frozen tiles. I'll try that. Thanks!

You can try a fan but you would still only be moving hot air.

I keep my shed in the mid 70s during our summers and in winter I try not to let it get below 40.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You can try a fan but you would still only be moving hot air.

I keep my shed in the mid 70s during our summers and in winter I try not to let it get below 40.

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You running a/c in the shed bro?

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Originally Posted by Tsanford

You running a/c in the shed bro?

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And heat. ;)

Much over 85F and males can become sterile and production drops drastically.

77F- 80F max on AC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9cagBq7Jdk

For now I've opened the window and have a fan blowing out it. It has cooled a bit, but I'm doubtful it will work in the summer. I'll probably have to run a/c then.

80 is a bit high. I usually don't like to go higher than 75. And even then you can tell they get a bit hot.