best small-scale breeding setup

[pariahdog]

I'm looking into small-scale rat breeding for feeders (and fun since I enjoy the rats themselves). Just wondering which of these would the best option, or if there's anything better:

1) 2 tubs; 1.1 breeding pair in one, 0.2 in the other to keep each other company while they wait their "turn" to breed, so to speak. I'm trying to rotate females so they each get a break, and have enough rats that they're never alone. Pregnant female will be moved back into the female tub while the next one is rotated into the breeding tub.

2) 2 tubs; 3.0 "male" tub and 0.2 "female" tub. 1 male gets put in with the females until they're ready to pop, then transferred back to the bachelor tub. So the female tub is communal, and the males are never by themselves.

For reference, I intend to euth feeders around sexual maturity, which is a bit after weaning, so they should be safe to live in the designated gender tub, eliminating the need for a grow out tub. Is this feasible?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

First option, there should NEVER be such a thing as bachelor's tub once males are separated and introduced to females

You can ONLY keep males as adult IF they have been together since pups and have NEVER been separated and NEVER been introduced to females.

If you don't follow that simple rule they will fight, it will get ugly real fast until one male dies.

[pariahdog]

Alright no bachelors tub it is Thanks for the quick response

[artgecko]

I would still keep grow out tubs... Raising my first litters now and when each female has ~10-15 pups... That's a lot to split between tubs with adults present. You need to separate male pups out at 5 weeks or they can impregnate their mother, etc.

I have males that live together after breeding, but they come from pet lines and are not as aggressive. You have to be very careful about reintroductions though and not all males would be able to live together afterwards. Also, some females will eat the pups of other females, so you have to have a contingency plan if you see that taking place.

I would keep 2 spare tubs besides the tub you are using for breeding and the single ladies tub.. (so 4 tubs).. That way, you have 2 empty tubs that can be used for maternity (if a female doesn't do well with other females around) or for m/f grow out in the end.

Also plan on lots of bedding.... Since my females have had litters, I'm doing litter changes every 2 days in their bins. It's amazing how much waste they and the pups produce.

[Darkbird]

I would consider just building one of the mortar tub based racks. A single rack wouldn't take up much floor space, is easy to move around if you put it on casters, and will give you more than enough tubs to set up what you need, and leave you with an extra or two just in case. And I usually just keep pairs of females and cycle a male through each tub.

[pariahdog]

definitely going with more than the 2 tubs now. it seems like more of a hassle than it's worth to keep less than that lol.

I considered building a rack but I am 1) not handy at all, 2) looking to have more floorspace for the adults since they'll be pets in addition to feeder breeders.

[Tsanford]

Before I upgraded to racks, I was using diy screen top bins. I found this guide very helpful when I was getting started, it may help you too!

http://www.metalmonkeyexotics.com/blog/?page_id=331

[pariahdog]

Before I upgraded to racks, I was using diy screen top bins. I found this guide very helpful when I was getting started, it may help you too!

http://www.metalmonkeyexotics.com/blog/?page_id=331

this is super useful, thank you!!