>>We cycle breed, and I find I get the largest litters and feeders this way. We have everyone on a schedule of 3 weeks with the male, 4 weeks with pups, then 4 weeks resting.
>>
>>It can be cut down to 3 weeks of rest, but I like to keep my girls plump. I find I get some very healthy 3-4 week rats to feed off (consistently 65 grams at 3 weeks, 85 at 4 weeks) . I don't like to do continuous breeding. I weigh my animals, and they lose quite a bit of weight when nursing. Female rats in the wild rarely have multiple litters a year, their bodies aren't meant to handle that, but they will try to if in with a male. www.ratbehaivor.com



I have to say that I continuous breed and have the same or better stats and weights. So I really don't see the difference. Genetics affects all this more. The only reason continuous would be less productive is if you are under feeding.
Wild rats breed according to their environment. If rats in the wild have a reliable and healthy food source they reproduce like fleas. The limit for wild rats is food availability.

>>
>>Also, every female gets her own tub. I find that when they are by themselves, they aren't as stressed, and can devote more time to the care of the pups instead of stressing over another female being in her space.
>>


If they are decent moms they are gonna be fine with a group. The only time they are gonna stress is if the grouping is already not settled and bickering. First day of a new litter and they may hog the pups but after that they pile them up and communally nurse.

Personally after doing this for many years I think you do what works well for you and the rats will adapt and adjust.
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

[ Hide Replies ]

• Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - blueselaphe, Fri Dec 21 12:02:54 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Hol - ballfreak, Fri Dec 21 14:12:33 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - caz223, Fri Dec 21 15:13:45 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - blueselaphe, Fri Dec 21 16:07:24 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - Sonya, Sat Dec 22 22:18:47 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - Plindsey, Sat Dec 22 23:10:03 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - blueselaphe, Sun Dec 23 08:59:02 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - caz223, Sun Dec 23 11:54:34 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - Sonya, Sun Dec 23 12:39:03 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - blueselaphe, Sun Dec 23 15:52:45 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Holiday - Sonya, Sun Dec 23 18:31:16 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Hol - littleindiangirl, Mon Dec 24 15:39:10 2007
• RE: Muti-Issues Just in time for the Hol - Sonya, Wed Dec 26 21:31:04 2007
• To each his own... - littleindiangirl, Thu Dec 27 12:58:37 2007
• RE: To each his own... - littleindiangirl, Thu Dec 27 13:13:36 2007
• RE: Thanx - blueselaphe, Fri Dec 28 13:37:32 2007
• RE: Thanx - littleindiangirl, Fri Dec 28 21:19:30 2007
• RE: To each his own... - Sonya, Fri Dec 28 17:03:24 2007
• RE: To each his own... - blueselaphe, Fri Dec 28 19:17:48 2007