Thinking of starting a colony... I know a handful of things but not everything

[Oxylepy]

I want to start up a small colony, partially to feed my snakes and partially because I think I'd enjoy having rats (although I imagine I'll be leaving my house smelling of rat every day). I've seen the chickenwire feeding boxes that some people keep the food in and I'll be able to figure out how to build that before getting the rats. I have a drill and can easily set up the water bottle. I should have no problems swapping out bedding regularly and keeping them fed on lab blocks. I know they like dark areas and since they'd be in my room with my snakes (my bedroom) and on account of the fact that 5 days of the week I'm out of the house for almost the whole day that won't be a problem. I know they need hides to stay feeling comfortable, and I realize that as creatures with an advanced limbic system they need social interaction. I know that I'd probably try and get them at the reptile show in November. Finally i know that I want to keep only a few (1 male and 2-5 females)

What I don't know is if they can be kept in the same room as the snakes, if you can keep them in a colony (like asfs that I've seen) when breeding or if they need to be separated.

The amount of information on this forum seems too much to sift through, and there don't seem to be any specific care sheets for rats on here, and the stickies don't act in this respect either (we have Should I, How to Save Space, and Colours... but not How To care for/keep them) .

Also a stoner once told me about this activated carbon air filtration system that she claims will get rid of any smells (obviously she was using it for drugs) but I was wondering if anyone here might know if activated carbon can pull the scent of rodent urine out of the air, I was going to make a miniature version of it this weekend but I couldn't find an affordable miniature version (the smallest pieces of ductwork are the size I would want for the full filter, so I cant make a mini version to test it's effect with urine ~_~).

[BAD Morphs]

Yes many ppl keep their rats in the same room with there snakes and have no problems. Even a few feet away from eachother.

Some people do it differently by pulling out the prego females. I have done both and have since just left my prego's in the tub with the male and two other females and have yet to have a problem with the babies getting killed or anything. I keep my colonies to 1.3 and seems to work ot just fine. I don't use hides or anything. Here is how I have my rats set up.


I still use water bottles but am switching to the gravity water system. filling bottles everyday or every two days gets to be a pain in the butt.

I keep my rats in the basement and have a small window fan blowing out into the alley next to my house. The smell isn't ass bad as you might think if you saty after them. I mean you can smell them but it isn't a horrible smell and it doesn't travel anywhere but in the basement where they are kept.

I just started my clonies a few months ago so I am in no way an expert in rat breeding but if you have any other question I would be glad to try and help! Good luck!

[BigLu]

Make sure u start small....I made the mistake of starting with 3.15 colony and my population exploded within a couple months. I pretty much give them away to my friends and keeep my snakes and tegus more then happy. The odor was not so bad untill all the babies actually got bigger, the smell of nitrates in the morning is rather unpleasing. I clean every sunday, new substrate n wash tubs. It def. worth it, because i dont know how i would have been able to feed my collection this past couple months w/out my colony but at the same time its a lot of work to keep them odors down and the room clean.

[Oxylepy]

As for the substrate what do you guys use? I think the oils in pine are dangerous for snakes, but would the fumes from using pine be hazardous or would that be fine? I was thinking of keeping them on a combination of that super absorbent stuff mixed with pine shavings.

[BigLu]

aspen bedding

[Stewart_Reptiles]

As for the substrate what do you guys use? I think the oils in pine are dangerous for snakes, but would the fumes from using pine be hazardous or would that be fine? I was thinking of keeping them on a combination of that super absorbent stuff mixed with pine shavings.

To reduce smell I use Pine Pellets (Equine Pine, Equine Fresh), very absorbent and goes a long way.

Once the female is ready to give birth I offer wood shaving in addition to the equine pine.

Pellet type substrate is the best substrate I have evern used and would never go back to anything else.

[Oxylepy]

Oh and what about square footage for them? Assuming 1 male and 3-5 females? I was thinking of grabbing a 95 quart tub since they look like they have a decent depth and I would imagine would give them enough space for their litters up until they need to be pulled out.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Oh and what about square footage for them? Assuming 1 male and 3-5 females? I was thinking of grabbing a 95 quart tub since they look like they have a decent depth and I would imagine would give them enough space for their litters up until they need to be pulled out.

You will need several tubs once for breeding, one for the female to birth and nurse her youngs, and one to wean your young.

I use jumbo cat litter pan and a rack so I can't answer on stand alone tubs.

[Oxylepy]

Is it absolutely required to pull the females out with their litters? I was under the impression that they can be fine living together without having to pull any out.

Edit: Well I looked into it and it seems the male will breed with the females shortly after they give birth and that sounds like a bad idea. But can the females be kept together?

[BAD Morphs]

Depends on what you looking to do with your colony. Kepping the females in with the male the whole time yes, they can get pregnant that same day. If you need high production thats the way to go. But it is really hard on the females giving birth every three weeks and will put them out of commision faster. Some people remove prego's and give them time "off" before reintroducing them to the male again after they take the weaned babies from her. Females are ok to put together when they are prego they will nurse the young together and take turns nursing.