Interesting article I've never kept any data on raising rats I just know what has worked for us.

We have always kept trios 1 male with 2 sometimes 3 females but usually they are related females. They share litter care I have little or no mortality with any of the pups and I have had weaned hoppers in with newborn pinkys. All of the dads have been good fathers and play with the older pups, groom them etc.

Here's the real kicker. When I have left over fuzzy mice, yes MICE from purchasing them for feeders I can throw them in with my rat moms and they drag them right into their nests and raise them right along with their rat pups.

Nothing scientific, no data but it works for us.

BTW I hate breeding mice. But rats are pretty cool.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
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