Need help breeding rats

[fLako0aGuiiLaR]

Ok so my collection is growing fast and im thinking on getting more snakes,
right now im getting my rats from a local breeder but unfortunately he is moving out
of town and i dont like petstores.

Now im planning to breed my own rats i have everything i need already
the rack,watering system,food and tubs

the only thing im missing is the rats but i dont know what size rats should i get to start breeding,
should i get small rat, medium rats or large rats?

i want to produce healthy litters thats why i want to get the appropriate size rats.

hope you guys can help me

thank you

[fLako0aGuiiLaR]

Anyone?

[John1982]

the only thing im missing is the rats but i dont know what size rats should i get to start breeding,
should i get small rat, medium rats or large rats?

i want to produce healthy litters thats why i want to get the appropriate size rats.

Since you have a rack the size doesn't matter except for how soon you want to start producing. They can breed as young as 5 weeks but you will have small litters, if they even survive, and a lot of energy that should have gone towards growing the female out will instead go to the babies. I usually wait until my females are around 7 months but go more by the size of the female than her actual age. Try to get stock from healthy bloodlines that produce large litters. You may even want to get some females that are around 1 year old and have a litter under their belt already to increase your chances of a smooth pregnancy and rearing right from the get go.

[Marrissa]

I'd get small rats. If I'm getting from an outside source I prefer them just weaned (4/5 weeks old). The young ones seem to adjust better to their new home. I breed mine around 250g and retire around the 1yr mark when most females litter sizes tend to drop. I also rotate my male through the female tubs so that the females get a break between litters and weaning.

Look for a feeder breeder around your area and purchase females and males as needed. The rule of thumb is one female per snake you have. Males can cover quite a few females so depending on how many females you need, one male is probably plenty for now. Feeder breeders tend to have rats with good temperament (biters are usually snake food so good genes get passed on, personality is inheritable). They also tend to have larger litter sizes. Hold back ones from large litters also.

Hope this helps. as you go along you'll see what works for you and your group better.