It's very possible to get a small amount the first time breeding, it all depends on the age and size of the rat itself, but also the female. I've had a small rat maybe the size of a XL give me 10+ babies while a XXL gave me around five. I wouldn't sweat it to much.. Just remember leaving a male and female(s) together will usually give a constant supply a babies, it also shortens the females lives and usually they give you less babies every breeding.
Also, it is very possible she had a large litter and the male ate some.. It all comes down to the males, if you notice a male doing it, cull them immediately.I rarely have ay problems in my colony's, I even have 1 with 2 males that gives me no problems.
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