Rat Questions- Please Help

[Jenn]

You should never keep a rat in an enclosure by itself. Rats are very social animals. They NEED company in order to be happy and healthy. It's very sad to see a single rat in an enclosure.

[SatanicIntention]

Unless they are rearing a litter, then it is preferred that they be by themselves.

[littleindiangirl]

Unless they are rearing a litter, then it is preferred that they be by themselves.

?? Should rat's be by themselves? I've never thought you'd say that... typo maybe?

[SatanicIntention]

I said that wrong..

Unless they are rearing a litter, then yes, they should be with other rats of the same sex(or opposite sex if breeding).

SORRY!

I do have some that prefer to be with 1 or 2 specific buddies, rather than in the main cages, or completely by themselves. I used to have a hairless boy who got stressed being with other rats and wouldn't eat. He got very depressed. Once I separated him out, he perked up and went on to be a fat and happy, sweet boy.

[Chris Rossi]

SO could I make a rack that holds 5 Jumbo Doskocil Litter Pans. Could I have 2.4, both Males in one tub. Then 2 Females in one tub then the other 2 Females in the other tub and the last 2 tubs be for the babies? WOuld that work?

[MarkS]

Here are some pics of a maternity rack that I made about 2-3 years ago. Each tub will hold three or 4 adult rats, I usually have 1-2 females with litters in each tub, but I've had small breeding groups in them before and they work fine as long as I move the prego moms out.

Front


Side


Back


These use Jumbo cat litter pans as tubs and I've never had a rat chew their way out of these.

Mark

[littleindiangirl]

I meant to ask this before Mark, where's the ventilation with the dog food covering the whole screen?

I made this same exact one, but I put in a wood divider for the food and water near the front of the tub. I meant to ask if you had done that later or just kept the dog food over the whole mesh?

[Hellix2494]

what kind of dog food do you use???

[MarkS]

where's the ventilation with the dog food covering the whole screen?

Thats right after I fill it, usually it's about half that within a few days, but it's never been a problem. The dog food is round and has plenty of air space around it and it doesn't appear to impede airflow.

The dog food is called sprout, it's the store brand from Mills Fleet Farms. (18% protein in the blue bag)

[Chris Rossi]

SO if I use Jumbo cat litter pans I can house 4 females together?