Which rats to breed?

[RichsBallPythons]

It depends, how big are your balls? Fancy rats can grow very large, and will likely outgrow your balls quickly. If your snakes will take f/t, breeding your own and freezing them when they reach size would be a viable option.

BTW, Feeder rats = fancy rats = dumbo rats (dumbo is a "morph," just a different style of ear) and they can all be mixed. Be careful to choose healthy looking and clean rats.

If I were you, I'd definitely go with a 1.2 of ASF rats instead of fancies, since those won't outgrow your snake. You could post up on Craigslist or here seeking ASFs to get your starter colony.

If you only have 2 snakes id advise away form ASF. Ball pythons imprint way too much on one thing far too often. And they can breed way more than a beginner could handle if your not wanting Many. Also with ASF you cant separate the male and reintroduce him like mice/rats. The females kill the Male ASF.

Your common rat(Norway Rat) grow to be large as males(600g) and females about (250g). I would get 1.2 going of the rats to breed and you should be set if the male is good. Be sure when ever starting always get weaned rats so you can grow them out to be healthy.

All my females i keep back i let grow for 3-4 months before i breed them.