breeding rats, y no babys?

[Sleepy_FF]

Originally Posted by BrentS

thanks for the input.
Were in the process of moving to a new house. But, this weekend I plan on doing some rehousing and putting just one female and one male together. I think I might go buy some totes, for additional space.

brent, you so gave me an idea. DARN YOU. ideas and me are a bad combo.

[Ratsicles]

Originally Posted by Sleepy_FF

hmmmmmm...... well, i do want the multi level. where do i get coated hardware cloth? and what kind of fabric should i cover it with? canvas? the bookcase will have to do for NOW... i jsut really want to be able to let my rats have a large space with many levels to run around in.

what about using wood covered with fiberglass shower surround? would that work? or linoleum or something along those lines? (heck... might be fun to use real tiles. why not?)

me breeders are pets, and of course, i want my pets to be pampered, and spoiled to all heck, so any and all suggestions you might have would be appreciated. i want something with good ventilation, easy to clean, something that will last

I have seen that as well. I wish I could remember where the site was with all the "pet" cages. Shower surround and linoleum will eventually wear and be eaten through ... there is no set amount of time they will last. However they will have to be glued down and the glue would be harmful if they got into it.

Real tiles have some pluses and minuses. They would have to be sealed so that they wouldnt soak up urine, depending on how much sealer you use and what type of tile you use it could also make them extremely slick. They would be really hard to replace if it was required. Pluses are that they could be easily cooled or heated to combat temps. Also they will help to keep their nails filed down.

Here is one onlines supplier of coated wire... click on pvc coated wire on left had side.

Bryan

[Ratsicles]

Originally Posted by BrentS

thanks for the input.
Were in the process of moving to a new house. But, this weekend I plan on doing some rehousing and putting just one female and one male together. I think I might go buy some totes, for additional space.

Brent ... what is your main aim in breeding rats? If its to keep your costs down then going 1:1 is the wrong direction. 1 male can easily "service" 5-10 females. I normally keep 1:5 ... If I have a male with specific charateristics I want to propogate then Ill use that one male on up to 25 females.

I have found that multiple males housed with females result in 1 of 2 things. Either they go to war and kill each other, or one decides to be lazy and do nothing but eat, crap, and lay there.

If you are breeding for pets then you are going to want to remove the male when the female shows signs of pregnancy (pet rats are normally given much more time between litters). So that he doesnt impregnate her within an hour of giving birth.

If you are actually wanting to invest some money into a setup and are somewhat handy build one of these.



youll be into it about $50 and itll have room to house 1:3 or 1:4 in each tub.

Instructions are here I've modified it slightly since then .. making it taller and adding in one more level. But those instructions will build you a stack with 4 tubs.

Bryan

[BrentS]

Originally Posted by Ratsicles

Brent ... what is your main aim in breeding rats? If its to keep your costs down then going 1:1 is the wrong direction. 1 male can easily "service" 5-10 females. I normally keep 1:5 ... If I have a male with specific charateristics I want to propogate then Ill use that one male on up to 25 females.
I have found that multiple males housed with females result in 1 of 2 things. Either they go to war and kill each other, or one decides to be lazy and do nothing but eat, crap, and lay there.
If you are breeding for pets then you are going to want to remove the male when the female shows signs of pregnancy (pet rats are normally given much more time between litters). So that he doesnt impregnate her within an hour of giving birth.
If you are actually wanting to invest some money into a setup and are somewhat handy build one of these.

youll be into it about $50 and itll have room to house 1:3 or 1:4 in each tub.
Instructions are here I've modified it slightly since then .. making it taller and adding in one more level. But those instructions will build you a stack with 4 tubs.
Bryan

thanks for the info and the link. I'm going to get a big tote and put 1 male and 3 females (if not more, depending on the size fo the totat) into it. I'll see if that helps. I like the rack system and great instruction. I might have to build one. I have to build a new burm cage this summer anywase.

[BrentS]

Originally Posted by Ratsicles

I totally agree with Adrya. Its hard enough to keep 1 female and her litter in a 10g. It is very unlikely that the rats would breed in enclosures that small. The rats seem to know when there isnt enough room for a litter ... so they wont even breed and wase their resources.
Here are some examples of cages Ive made for around $15 or less.
72 qt rubbermaid snap topper. $8 for tub and lid $5 for hardware cloth, flat aluminum, and rivets.

Just the lid.

My first effort ... an IRIS tub ... cant remember the dimensions. $4 for tub and lid $4 for sheet metal, hardware cloth, and rivets.

This one was $20 for the tub and lid (right after christmas) $7 for hardware cloth, flat aluminum, and rivets. This is 52"L X 21"W X 14"T.

I use hanging bottles for these so that there are no puncture holes for the rodents to chew through.
Bryan

were did you get the metal sheet (wire mesh), and rivets at? I bought a big tub and drilled a bunch of wholes in the top. But, that isn't working to well at all. I want to do the lid like you did but couldn't find the rivets or the wire mesh at home depot.

[Ratsicles]

The wire mesh is called hardware cloth ... Home depot employees never seem to know they have it. Its in the fencing section. They type I use is 1/2" for rats.

The flat aluminmum is next to where they have the signs (for sale, for rent, etc). I use 1/16" thick and 1" wide. Its about $6 for an 8' piece.

The rivets are in the tool section. I use 1/8" rivets that are extra long. They also have washers for the rivets. I highly recommend using the washers as well. They make it extremely hard to rip out the rivets. Also get a 1/8" drill bit.

Of everything the flat aluminum is the hardest to find. If you know of a store that caters to metal workers you can get it there (plus they will know what you are talking about), its also usually cheaper. Im setting up a website called rodentracks that will go into a bit more detail. Once up ill get a link to doing these lids (I've got 3 more here ready to build so I can do step by step with pics).

Bryan

[BrentS]

Thanks for the info from everyone. I'll have to stop at home depot again.

I checked the cages last night and one of my females has had babies!!! I removed all the cage mates, to leave her alone.

I'm in the process of building a co2 chamber for the rats. So, I can euthanize and freeze some of them. I have the co2 tank and the tub, just need to get the co2 tank tested and filled. I figure if i'm going to euthanize a lot of rats at once, the co2 chamber is the best and most humane way to go.