Originally Posted by Argentra
I've just started my small group of 2.2 rats and I intend to give the females each their own tub. One male with one female until the girls look nice and round, then the two boys go into their 'bachelor tub' and the girls have their new litters to keep them company. Once litters are weaned, the girls get a week or so to rest together and then they restart.That's the plan, at least, I'll let you know how it goes.
Watch the females health. If the male only has one female to breed with he isn't going to stop bothering her. This can lead to sickness and death and obviously a lot of stress. That is why people use groups of 1.5 or 1.4 etc etc. I personally would never have a 1.1 going, 1.2 minimum.
I have a group of 1.5 going right now, but I do it a little differently then most people. I rotate my females around depending on how many babies im going to need. Once I can tell a female is prego I move ALL soon to birth mothers in the same cage. Rats are very good are nursing other young and sharing babies. They may compete for piles, but I havn't lost a baby to cannibalism yet.
At the moment I have 3 females raising babies in one container(96 qt sterilite). Then I have my male with 2 females getting them pregnant. Then I can continue rotating if I want or sometimes Ill leave the male by himself for a few weeks to give females a rest.
Its been giving me great results.
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