Breeding rats on small scale.

[bailey]

I have 2 snakes and a beardie. I'm a hobbyist not a breeder.(YET). We've had our rats for about 7 months. The same 3 we started with. The mothers and father are producing large litters still and taking wonderful care of their babies. The parents have never been aggressive or bitten us or hurt their babies. We feed them a healthy diet of dog food, the same prepared salad as what I give my beardie plus more fruit and cheese as treats. I was just reading that some breeders only let their males breed 3 times and then they feed them. Mine have been living in harmony and producing at a great rate for our need. Now for the questions. I assume the original breeders are related. We bought the 3 of them together at a reptile show. We've got a real nice litter of 3 month olds seperated from eachother. I was reading where some people inbreed without deformities. Can I take the litter I have and make them breeders? I think it's 2 males 2 females. We have friends that live near us that are helping us raise them for their reptiles. Just hobby no business really. Can anyone direct me to a site about keeping and breeding at small scale? Also can I breed the one I'm keeping as a pet and remove the male after I'm sure she's conceived? Will this change her personality as a pet? Thanks for any help.