Temperature for breeding rats...

[caughdl]

I have built two racks for breeding rats and mice and have them in my garage. I live in north Alabama so the temps here during the day are in the low 90s in our garage. I have two windows open in it and three fans blowing for circulation. At night it gets in the 70s in our garage. Are these temps going to keep my rats and mice from breeding? They are eating well and always have water. Plenty of circulation out there too. Opinions please?

Thanks
David

[bsash]

Nope, they will breed just fine. I live in New Jersey and keep mine in a shed in my back yard and they all breed. Just keep it above 65 degrees and below 90 degrees, or at least put a fan over them for the heat.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Are these temps going to keep my rats and mice from breeding?

Most likely

90 degrees is way too hot for your rodents try staying below 75 during the day if you can, the higher the temp the lowest the production and at this temp I am surprised you have not lost any breeder as of yet.

Ideally shoot for 65-75 temps this should give you an optimal production.

[RichsBallPythons]

My rodents are kept in with snakes at 80 and they breed great.

[caughdl]

Yeah I have not lost any yet and they actually seem fine and active. I have four fans blowing out there with two windows open.

[tomfromtheshade]

Cooler temperatures would be ideal, but rats breed in less than ideal conditions all the time.

The heat doesn't bother them nearly as much as the humidity, so as long as you have good air movement around your racks to keep the ammonia build up down you should be okay.

[PghBall]

My rats are kept down in the basement that holds an avg temp of 65-75 degrees depending on the time of year. They've been thriving.