I keep mine in 1.2 or 1.3 groups. I don't want the hassle of moving the male around all the time, and with more males I have a more diverse gene pool so I can raise up replacement female breeders as needed. I leave males with the girls all the time. The males don't hurt the babies, and often you will see them grooming the babies and generally hanging out with them.

Lab style cages (or freedom breeder rack levels if you can afford it) are the most efficient way to cage them.

If you can get quality lab blocks, that is the simplest way to get them the proper nutrition. Harlan-Teklad is the best, but it's hard to find. Mazuri has some good formulas, but make sure to get one that doesn't have alfalfa in it (or at least make sure it's low on the list) and that has corn low down on the list. Check protein levels. It should be below 20%.

I can't get good lab blocks so I use a formula like Becky's (SatanicIntention) it's in the sticky at the top of this forum.

Provide water in a bottle.. make sure if it's the ball valve kind that it isn't leaking! Sometimes brand new ones from the pet store will leak. No fun..

There's lots of beddings you can use.. aspen, carefresh, yesterday's news litter, I use pine. Some people don't like to use it, but these are not pets and it doesn't harm them as food items for the snakes. Most of the big rat breeders use pine. In the end, it is up to you.

I hope this helps a bit.