Quote Originally Posted by Blubb View Post
So, I have thought about breeding my own rats to feed my ball pythons, but I don't really know how I should start the whole process. I have a couple of questions too. Hope I will get some help (:

1) how many cages should I start out with?
2) will 1.4 be good in the breeding cages?
3) do males fight with each other even if the cage is free from females?
4) after how many litters should I stop breeding a female?
5) do females accept other litters than their own in the same cage?
6) about how long does it take for a rat to grow about 100grams?

Help please, I am just a beginner ^^
1. The amount of tubs just depends on your amount of breeders. At the least I would have a breeder female rat for every snake I have so say I have 16 snakes I would need 16 breeder females which would mean 4 breeder tubs with 1.4.

2. 1.4 seems like the best ratio for me and others usually do the same

3. I've never had males fight though I usually only have grow-out males together, not full grown breeder males. They may compete if you have 2.4 or something.

4. I don't keep track on females and how many times they breed but I retire them after their litter size begins decreasing enough so I get the most utility out of them.

5. It's probably best to have a separate rack with maternity tubs where you'll keep a mom and her litter. I pull the moms when they look pregnant. If they give birth in the breeding tub they're very likely to get trampled and die. Also the mom will have a hard time caring for them in that situation.

6. I don't weigh my feeders, I just go by size so I can't help there.

Hope this helps.