I use small lab tubs from Big Apple with 1.2's. The litters are bigger, more consistent, healthier and grow faster. A male can do a much better job with less females.

I have found that a 1.2 colony produces as many babies as a 1.3 or 1.4.

Less females = bigger litters, more litters and faster growth.
More females = smaller litters, less litters and slower growth.

Never add males or females to existing colonies! They will almost always fight and possibly kill and/or eat babies.

I always kill off colonies that go "bad".

For food, after trying it all and comparing the breeding results, growth rates of the mice and growth rates of my snakes, I have settled on a mix of Purina and or Harlan block and Volmann rat & mouse sprinkled on top of the block. The Volkmann is seeds, grains, fruits, etc.

Good luck.

Kevin

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