Rats to hot

[ironpython]

Its been in the upper nineties here and I keep my racks in the garage with a fan but I have lost some pinkies and one older breeder male. I don't have the extra money for an A/C unit right now and I'm getting worried about them.

1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,

[Capray]

Move them to the basement of your house if possible. They really need proper circulation and temps, it can cause all sorts of problems. Half of them are probably damaged by now..

[Sita]

Move them ASAP! Anything above 90 degrees is when you're going to start seeing issues, they like the same temps we do; would YOU like to be in 90 degree weather without relief?

If you absolutely can't move them or get an A/C unit, then be prepared for more deaths, in addition to them not reproducing for many months.

You can try freezing water in 2 liter bottles or gallon jugs, and keeping those in the cages with them to help cool. You'll need to switch them out every few hours to be sure it's always cold though. Make sure they ALWAYS have water available; I'd change water at least twice a day with it so hot, to try to keep cooler water available.

[ironpython]

I froze water in deli cups and they love it. Its cooler now and they seem good but I'm seeing about a small window unit
but just in case my body has an air conditioned shed with space for my two racks and he lives close.
1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,

[satomi325]

My friend has an outdoor rat shed that isn't insulated. It gets 90-100 here in the summer. His rats survive fine. Just make sure there is plenty of water, frozen water bottles, and constant air movement. Air movement makes a huge huge difference. Stagnant air is gross and much hotter.

Even misting along the racks will help cool air temps.

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[PitOnTheProwl]

Extended temps over 90 degrees will slow production and most of the males will go sterile anyway.
I insulated and a/c my shed and keep it between 75 to 80 year round. he only problem is with Texas summers I had to close it up pretty tight to keep the cool air in so the ammonia builds up a little faster

[ironpython]

Well it cooled off and I got a window unit and I don't see any problems with the rats matter of fact got three litters born this week.

1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,

[CD CONSTRICTORS]

Plenty of warm spells here in FL have not affected my colony. They are in my facility with no A/C, but plenty of airflow. I freeze water in large plastic containers and place it in the 5 gallon watering system a few times a day. Water keeps them cool and 6 of the 10 females I bred a few weeks back had litters the last few days averaging 12-13 per each litter. 4 more are due to have babies in a few days.

[ironpython]

Mine are doing good now. I froze some deli cups and they would lay on them but they also chew on them. I have a window unit in case it gets to hot. They're having babies still so I guess everything is all right.

1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,