Max temperatures for rat breeding

[Aryia]

Oregon is starting to warm up, though according to weather reports this is the warmest it'll get. The thermometer registered at 84 degF at the highest point, I believed the highest it got outside was 95 degF which is kind of unusual for the area. The rat room is a very small room and I usually leave the door open for some air flow. Would ~85 degF for 2 months of the year be detrimental to the rat colony? Or would it just mean production will slow a little during these two months?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Ideal temps for maximum production seems to be in the 70's

Anything in the mid to high 80's and the production will start dropping.

My temps vary from 45 to 86 and there is no issue aside from a little drop in production in very high and very low temps.

In other words your colony will be fine.

[satomi325]

Heat makes males sterile.

But like Deborah mentioned, you should be fine as long as it stays in the 80s.
You could also give them frozen water bottles and chilled tiles to lie on. I will put them in cages and tubs once it gets 85+.
My rats have been exposed to 90s and kept breeding. However, I cycled frozen water bottles, bowls of cool water, and provided frozen veggies to keep them cool.

Also, keep air moving. Stagnant air makes heat much worse. A fan will help a lot.

[Aryia]

Thanks! Will do. Started raining here the day after I posted it.. hopefully it was just one random really hot day.