My first pair of rats.

[nchapa]

So I decided to start breeding my own rats. the male is a dumbo, female is a hooded. I dont need to many rats as I have 2 small boas but I figured I'd break even on the money, and gain a wealth of experience doing it myself. I plan on adding a couple of more boids to my collection next year, so I might as well start with the trial and error now. Oh and my kids wanted some pet hamsters, instead they will each get to raise a baby rat when they are born .

Quick question, besides seeing the rats mating, how do you know if they have?

[Redneck_Crow]

You will know because you have a male rat and a female rat.

Trust me on this--rats aren't celibate when there is an alternative.

[nchapa]

You will know because you have a male rat and a female rat.

Trust me on this--rats aren't celibate when there is an alternative.

lol, thanks. Just wanted to make sure since this is my first time attempting to breed rats.

[jackiechan]

Cool. So you just put the 2 together in a container and play the waiting game?

[youbeyouibei]

Pretty much that's all it takes is putting them together, supplying adequate food/water and then waiting 28 days or so and BAM!, babies, lol! Good luck with your first try at things and hope they produce for you.

[snakesRkewl]

Gestation periods for rats are about 23 days and they go into heat every 4-5 days so within a month you'll at least have a preggo momma rat