Rats are NOT breeding.

Skits · 04-24-12, 11:30 PM

I've had my rats since March 10th I believe, and they still haven't bred?

I'm not sure if I should let them be and wait, or if I should get another male or female?

They live in a decent sized rabbit cage, aspen wood chips, are fed a mix of rat and hamster food. They do have a hammock and a house though, I thought maybe thats getting in the way of them doing their business but I feel bad taking it out. Suggestions?

exwizard · 04-25-12, 01:57 AM

it starts off slow but as soon as the first litter happens the others are quickly to follow.

KORBIN5895 · 04-25-12, 06:18 AM

How old are they?

Snakefood · 04-25-12, 08:03 AM

^^^^ very important, if the female is close to or over 18 mos, she has probably already gone thru menopause.

Skits · 04-25-12, 10:02 AM

They are both still young. Not sure how old but a few months old for sure.

Snakefood · 04-25-12, 10:08 AM

well when I have problem (0 litter count in 2 mos!!) I replace the male first. If it's his problem, your females should be preggers within 25 days of being put together with a different male (IME)

BTW, in my colonies, so far the male was the problem (infertile) in about 90% of the cases.

Skits · 04-25-12, 10:39 AM

Alright so I'll wait another week and take out the male if nothing happens. I'll have to rehome him because I don't have the guts to kill him.

Snakefood · 04-25-12, 01:11 PM

sorry, correction. Females should be visibly preggers or given birth within 25 days of being put with a male. (5 day estrus cycle, 19-21 day pregnancy)

Gungirl · 04-25-12, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skits

Alright so I'll wait another week and take out the male if nothing happens. I'll have to rehome him because I don't have the guts to kill him.

So you don't have the guts to cull your male but you want to breed? Do you feed live? or if not how will you cull the rats to feed your snakes?

Kingsnakechris · 04-25-12, 05:30 PM

How many snakes do you have? You could possibly try multiple male/female pairs but if you only have a few snakes it might e a problem if they all end up breeding.. I don't have a colony but just thinking of ways that could help.

exwizard · 04-25-12, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

So you don't have the guts to cull your male but you want to breed? Do you feed live? or if not how will you cull the rats to feed your snakes?

Im curious to know the answer to this.

hellosugaree · 04-25-12, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skits

Alright so I'll wait another week and take out the male if nothing happens. I'll have to rehome him because I don't have the guts to kill him.

Aren't you breeding them for food? Then feed him to something. Consider it rehoming him to a snake's belly. You're going to have a lot of rats very quickly once they start breeding if you aren't able to kill them. I understand though. I always feel bad killing stuff. It never really gets easy even if you do it all the time.

KORBIN5895 · 04-25-12, 08:26 PM

I can pm you the best method I have found.

Skits · 04-25-12, 08:40 PM

It's that I bought him for breeding intentions, and I would feel horrible killing him just because he isn't impregnating the female. Maybe also because I bonded to him and named him. It's a weird way to think of it. I'm just capable of killing the babies, but not adults for some dumb reason.

I have 8 snakes currently, but am planning on getting more in the next couple months so I might just get another breeding pair. I have a few animals that would also take rats so I wouldn't mind having extras.

And I don't feed live either, I don't think I'd mind feeding live (ironically) if they were to die quickly, but just not after I've sort of bonded with them. Maybe if he bites me one day I'll feel differently haha

And I'm planning on gassing them, I had made a thread about it a while back.

Snakefood · 04-26-12, 10:25 AM

I occasionally bond with a breeder, it has happened twice in my breeding carreer, both with female rats.

For the occassional one I bond with, After they are taken out of breeding rotation, they come inside as a "pet" for the rest of thier natural lives. With a big breeder colony, you don't have time to bond with very many!! But you do with some!!

I have 2 females about to be taken out of rotation, one is being culled and "Kaluha" is coming inside as a pet until she expires naturally!! I can't help it, I love her!!