You don't need to start a new thread to ask the same questions. You can "bump" your other thread if you need to by adding a new post to it. You got good answers there also.Originally Posted by hype1108
I'll try to answer the best I can although my experience is with ASF rats which is very different.
1.) How many females to male per tub?
Didn't you say you want 1.5? This is ok. Or you can go with 1.3 or 1.2 it's up to you.
2.) What is the best feed to produce optimum breeding?
I use Mazuri 6F that I buy in bulk from the feed supply store close to me. They sell farm stuff - mostly for horses. But they special order the 6F for me for no additional charge.
3.) What is the best bedding for the best price?
Kiln-dried pine - also from the same feed supply store. $7.50 for a giant bag. Can't remember the exact size - but it's a really big one. By the way, if you decide to use pine, it has to be kiln-dried.
4.) How many small rat per tub? med? large?
I can't answer this one. My guess is 20 small, 12, medium, 6 large.
5.) How often should i clean to keep smells down? Is there anything else i can do to keep the odor down?
Weekly is best. The way I do it, I keep one tub empty - cleaned with fresh bedding at all times. During cleaning day, I move one bin of rats to the empty tub and clean that tub. Then I put the next bin of rats to that clean one... and so on and so forth until I finish all 21 tubs with the 21st tub being clean with fresh bedding but empty.
Rats are generally not as bad smelling as mice so you don't need additives. You can put baking soda on the bottom under the bedding if you really need to. Put a tablespoon or two of baking soda to an empty tub, spread it so that the entire bottom is "chalked" in white then dump the extra.
Good luck.
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