Hi Everyone,

I just recently started getting my supplies and rats for breeding. I have a four tub rat rack, and an extra 20 gallon tank for some small extra rats I have currently. Obviously, I will be getting more bins and what not as things go.

I need advice as to whether my set up is a good way to continue; I've only had the rats for a couple weeks, and over the last few days, I have started to hear some sneezing, so that is what is bringing me here!

Each of my tubs' substrate is pelleted newspaper; I was under the impression that this bedding was better to avoid some dust and "stuff" that can irritate the rats. I have shredded newspaper in each drawer just to give them some material to nest in, and I throw some papertowel tubes and cardboard boxes in as well to give them a little something. Each tub has a large water bottle, these are filled with fresh water daily. All tubs have a small conduit box that has been rigged up to be a feeder for the rats (it actually works really well!) and all of the tubs are fed Mazuri Rodent Breeder (6f).

Tub 1: One large dumbo male, three females (couple dumbos, a Norwegian)
Tub 2: One large brown noregian male, two brown norwegian females.
Tub 3: One male, four females (smaller male and smaller females)
Tub 4: One male, four females (smaller male and smaller females)

I have the rat rack (and my mice tanks) in my detached, un-insulated shed. It's a very small shed that I just use for storage, has one window that lets in ambient light. Temperature is cool, around 60-65 degrees.

I guess my question is, is it too cold in the room? I know sometimes the temperature dips lower than that. I have had NO issues with my mice; I've witnessed breeding, had births. I have witnessed no breeding with the rats, I believe I have one pregnant female but she came to me pregnant.

I'm curious what you all think; could I not be providing enough light? Is it too cold? I'm probably going to work on insulating it tomorrow, but I'm curious if there is anything else that I should change to try to keep the rats from getting sick, or is it too late if they're already sneezing?

Thanks for ANY advice, seriously very appreciated!

Thanks,