I've looked into that, and while it would be cheaper, my human housemates would never go for a freezer full of rats. I can get away with stashing one still in it's baggie and box and the grocerie bag i walked out of the store with. But only if I stick it behind the ice bin. Buying a deep freeze is out of the question at the moment, but I will be getting one eventually. Im thinking a handfull of rats in bins kept under my bed or in my closet would solve most of my problems.
So what the general consensus seems to be is 3 females and 1 male. I can feed the some babies off as I need to while some grow bigger. If its anything like gardening I should be able to keep things in balance. I still have questions about rat husbandry- but I will continue reading on in the forum. Thank you all!!