Rat Breeding

[Rogue628]

I've not had much luck with finding what I need around here for rabbit breeding so I'm seriously considering breeding rats. The positive is I should be able to feed all my animals rats. Even my king takes pinkies and tiny fuzzies. I say should be able to because I'd really prefer to put my burms on rabbits now because I'm already feeding multiple rats (large and jumbos) to these girls.

Currently, I have one pin eater, 3 small/medium rat eaters and all the big girls eat large and jumbos.

For my collection I need some basic info. Like, how many males/females would I need to start with, a good inexpensive way to keep them, what to feed them to ensure my animals are getting a good food source, how to breed, separating, etc. I don't mind having a little more than I'm going to need, but I want to make sure when I start, I'll eventually be able to provide what they need, without having to make a trip to the pet store every couple of weeks or so. We all know how expensive pet store feeders are. It's outrageous!

Space may or may not be an issue, depending on how many I would need. My main concern is being able to have a constant supply of large/jumbos to feed my big girls. I'm still looking for rabbits for my big girls, but I think rats are going to be a better solution for a while than rabbits.

Any information is greatly appreciated! Thanks :)

[infernalis]

I keep several females to 1-2 males per colony, that way I have an almost never ending supply of litters being born.

for food, I buy hamster/gerbil feed and mix it with feed blocks.

For housing, Big aquariums with screen tops.

We used cages once, but babies can squeeze out through the bars and escape.

[Aaron_S]

Don't use aquariums. They stink. Rack system works. You may need a bigger system or less animals per tub due to the fact you want massive rats for feeding.

You could also look into breeding rabbits. Even if they over produce you can sell the surplus to other big snake keepers to help care for the rabbits.

[ZStone]

Ive looked into this option as well. I do not have as many snakes as most here (mainly because my other half lol) but it would be a great way for me to stock up on F/T the CO2 euthanasia chambers are really easy and cheap to build too. Also a watering system is pretty cheap easy to build and saves from having to refill all those water bottles all the time. I'm currently in the process of moving but should have everything going within the next month or so. Good luck with yours btw there is a few you tube videos on the subject that might help or give you some ideas anyway

[Gungirl]

I would breed rabbits instead of rats seeing as you need more large/jumbo vs little ones. Rabbits you can also set up outside and don't need to smell in the house.

[Rogue628]

True. But I'm having a difficult time locating all I need without paying an arm and leg for hutches, rabbits, etc. I check CL almost daily but this little town doesn't have much to offer. The very few times I've found anything it's already gone by the time I call about them. How rabbits and supplies manage to get sold within an hour of posting I have no idea when other animals typically stay posted for days, and probably not getting sold/rehomed.

Plus I have several other animals who are on rats that will never eat rabbits. And I can use the rats for food for the bigger girls while I get my rabbit population up.

They're not coming inside. They're all probably going into the garage, which has been converted into a sort of hang out place. There's carpet, heat, an a/c..... it's not being used much anymore.

I'd want eventually be able to supply all my snakes' food and any others I purchase, rehome, or rescue in the future.

[Aaron_S]

Rogue, I'd look up some DIY rabbit hutches then. Probably the easiest way to get it on a budget. Also, check into feed stores for livestock. They'll probably sell bedding in large quantities at a lower rate than any pet stores.

[imr18]

I keep 1 males and 4 females rats for 1 colony. I use plastic container as a pic below.
1 females can produce 5-8 pinkies.
For food you can check this website SRR-Feeding Your Rats-Lab Blocks, Homemade Rat Food, Seed Mixes, Vegetables, Treats (http://www.spoiledratten.com/feedingcontent.html)
I only feeding rats with ratblock twice a day.

http://i.imgur.com/kX7Q7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iwzzA.jpg

I'm sorry if my English not properly :D

[MABELZXB]

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[beardeds4life]

I agree building a rabbit hutch is incredibly easy. If they overpopulate just house them separately and breed them only when you want more. Freeze the excess babies. I think you would need a minimum of 4 cages. 1 for the male 1 for a few females 1 for growing up males and 1 for growing up females.