Great question but so hard to answer, because breeding rats, or any rodents, can be highly unpredictable at times. It's ALWAYS better to have too many feeders than not enough, & you can freeze or sell the surplus. You might check with a local pet store- if they'd be interested in your surplus, if (or when) it comes to that, but right when you start off breeding rodents, they can take a while to get going reliably. It's like waiting for water to boil...
You can tip the balance in your favor for rat productivity by feeding them QUALITY food, not just the balanced rat chow, but consider supplementing their diet with things like raw kale for vitamins & minerals, & nuts for added protein. That's what I ALWAYS did when I bred rats. In fact, giving treats to your rats will also keep them socialized for when you need to clean & handle them (& steal babies, lol). Caution, even friendly rats may defend their babies with their teeth, so do be cautious, or use tongs, or distractions. Rats are smart & have their own personalities.
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