Thanks Jo! I knew I could count on you giving a very helpful response.

I'm not worried about the expenditure starting out as I know it will pay off in the long run.

As far as those tubs, will I have to worry about them chewing out of them? I can place airholes in the lid tops that way they have no easy way of chewing, but I figure the spot where the water comes in will be susceptible to attack.

I currently have 1 male and 1 female. I bought them from the local pet co and wasnt too impressed with the health/quality of them, but that could just be my narrow view on it. Should I try to purchase another 9 females and 1 male from there? Or are there often local breeders I can pick some up from?

As far as feeding goes... how do you go about controlling feed into a large tub with 40-50 growing rats? Is it just that some will get more than others, or that it will balance out over time?

Is the most cost effective bedding a large back of aspen or something similar? I was using care fresh but that was low-volume.

Another thing, will I need a few extra tubs to transfer them into as i clean out the big tubs weekly? Im guessing the best way to take c are of a tub with dozens of rats in it is just completely remove all the bedding as soon as it needs it.


What kind of racks do you use? the plastic snap together stand ones?

Thanks again!