>>I have been breeding pet store bought rat strains for over a year and my largest litter was from an old breeder at 13 which 2 made it out to maturity. My average litter size is 7 babies. Is there a strain of super producing rats like there are with mice, if so can someone please tell me the name of them and where to find them?



I personally don't think that 'super' rats are worth the money but then I have found various strains that do produce fine and work with that. I get at least 8 pups to maturity or the mom is gone. First time litters are sometimes discounted but after that the averages had better be good. I want a couple of sizes so I tend to cull down litters to get to larger pups faster. That said I have no troubles getting over a dozen.

If I were you I would go find some different rats. Get some small mediums and start from there. Don't get larges as they may be past their prime. Also, feed the heck out of your moms. I baby mine. The day they give birth they get cheerios, veges and yogurt...especially if it is a huge (high teens to 20s) litter. Make sure what you are feeding is high teens AT LEAST for protein and generally low twenties is better, with a decent fat %, like 6-10.
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Sonya

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