Wow, this is a touchy topic on the internet and with local rat breeders!

I have a 6 month old ball python, named Ulfric. He is a Yellow belly male, beautiful black, browns, and yellows! Close to 2ft, unsure of his weight at this time. ( I don't have a decent scale yet, I know, I know )

I know my snake collection will grow in time and the highest quality food is my goal for any of my animals (You should see my monthly dog food bill!!), so the time to hone my rat breeding skills is now!

I plan on starting with 2 females and a male of good lineage. I will be getting my buck from a seperate breeder as the does, to elimate the chance of inbred issues. I have quite an inquisitive mind, so all work will be carefully logged and kept in a journal.

I am looking for some feedback on the route I have purposed from the more experienced breeder. My plan, is to get a medium sized rubbermaid container with 3 smaller containers (Momma 1 & 2, with an estate for dad) inside. The tops of the main container and the 3 smaller will be cut and replaced with a wire mesh. My 3 small containers will also have an opening for the rats to come and go. For water I will be using hanging bottles. I have looked into the more eleborate watering systems and while tempting, for what I want to do at this stage, I feel is not practicle. The smaller containers will have some kind of rodent bedding, while I will be using recycled paper for the bottom of the main container. I plan on having 2 exercise wheels of proper sizing, to avoid skeletal deformaties.

I had a few querstions pertaining to this setup. Should my male be kept away completely from the females until the 2 week breeding period? Will my mommas figure out that they each have their own nesting area or will I need to segregate? Would it be better to have 3 seperate containers with no main container?

Quality is the goal over quantity, diet and exercise of my breeders will be my main focus. If I should run out of feed, I can always make trips to the ma&pa pet store to suppliment inbetween litters. I plan on keeping the breeders in rotation for a year and a half then retiring them to the craigslist adoptions page.

As I only have one snake at the moment, I had planned on feeding at the pinkies and hoppers stage. When Ulfric is bigger I will be using co2 and my freezer when the size is right.

Thoughs, questions, critisism?

I am in Vancouver, WA. Anyone know of breeders in the area? I'm not going to lie about what the rats will be used for.. but I won't be bringing it up either unless asked