I've used male rats well into their 2nd year if they remain healthy and able to father good litters. Really depends on the male rat and his overall health. I always have a few good old boys hanging around taking a turn in the breeding tubs but most of our male rats are younger. The oldest male I ever had breed was a good 2.5 years of age if not more. Just before he passed away he managed to father two very nice litters. Died in the saddle one might say.
I have one male that is 2+ years old. He is still pretty virile He is healthy and robust though.. I figure that a little mating is not that much of a stress. I only keep him with 1-2 females at once. The females that he is breeding just become built-in cagemates for him I am raising one of his sons now though, because I wold like him to live out his days in a calmer environment; just with one female at a time, as I don't want him alone, but also can't just put him with a retired female, as they'd breed..
-Jen. Back in the hobby after a hiatus!
Ball pythons:
0.1 normal; 1.1 albino. 1.0 pied; 0.1 het pied; 1.0 banana.
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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog
He is healthy and robust though.. I figure that a little mating is not that much of a stress. I only keep him with 1-2 females at once. The females that he is breeding just become built-in cagemates for him