Breeding Feeder Rats

[carlson]

An yes males can be housed with two or more girls. Don't house two males and girls together after sexual maturity the boys will fight to breed. You can keep males together with no girls tho most time it works fine I had five boys in a tank for a bit an they were fine one was a jerk too everyone for a min then it stopped.

[digizure]

I was just thinking and I think 18 female rats is too many. I should be good with six females and that would give me an average of 60 every three months? Or am I missing something here?

[carlson]

Nothing says a momma will give litters that big the girl I keep the male in with has litters of 5-6 so every month she has one cuz I keep boy in. How many snakes you have 18? It takes time to grow them out different sizes too

[digizure]

That's true. I was thinking of acquiring another 5 tub rack but now it seems like I need three more. I think I'll try and get another rack and slowly go from there. There is a store nearby where I can buy feeder rats so I can always buy some if I do not have enough. Maybe within six months, I'll have a better system.

[carlson]

Just slowly add an figure out what works for you that's way I do

[digizure]

Thanks for your advice.

[carlson]

No problem man we all start out somewhere with lots of questions

[sorraia]

Is there any particular reason you think you can't sell them as pets if they are inbred? Most rats out there are inbred or linebred to one degree or another. Your average pet owner may or may not care either, depending on their outlook. Someone who would just as soon buy a rat from a pet store is probably not going to care about the family history if you don't bother telling them. Someone who is looking for something more "specialty" may want more information and may or may not want to buy rats from if you are breeding for food any ways. But inbreeding in and of itself isn't going to necessarily turn people away, especially if you are able to explain why it is done and how it is helpful. I bred pet rats for 10 years, did do linebreeding and inbreeding, and rarely came across anyone who had a problem with it.

[satomi325]

For how many rats you need:
General rule of thumb is 1 female rat per snake you have. And you can just have whatever males you want. You may have to add or subtract rats accordingly.

Personally, I breed 2 female rats every 2 weeks to give me 2 weeks worth of food. And breeding every 2 weeks gives me a steady supply of the same size feeders when they're up to size.
I don't want to harem breed because that will give me too much food. You just have to try out a system that works for you.

And you can house the male with the females.

Though I did have one freak accident where I had grow outs in my male breeders' tub. I thought all of the grow outs were male. But one turned out female and all the males were taking turns breeding with her. It was the only time I have ever seen the boys not fight over mating rights.

[carlson]

For how many rats you need:
General rule of thumb is 1 female rat per snake you have. And you can just have whatever males you want. You may have to add or subtract rats accordingly.

Personally, I breed 2 female rats every 2 weeks to give me 2 weeks worth of food. And breeding every 2 weeks gives me a steady supply of the same size feeders when they're up to size.
I don't want to harem breed because that will give me too much food. You just have to try out a system that works for you.

And you can house the male with the females.

Though I did have one freak accident where I had grow outs in my male breeders' tub. I thought all of the grow outs were male. But one turned out female and all the males were taking turns breeding with her. It was the only time I have ever seen the boys not fight over mating rights.

^^^^ this guy great for info just an FYI for the OP haha.
That's nuts the boys didn't fight over her the picture forming in my mind involves velvet ropes and a snake acting as bouncer/door man