Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok so i already asked this a while back but i just want to ask again because i am going to be making preperations to start my breeding colony soon. I want to know everything there is to know about breeding rats.. First off am i best off using lab cages or should i buld a rack (anyone have plans for a good rack?). I know people like to wait i think 10 weeks before begining to breed there females about what size are tey usually at this tim (small med lg jumbo ect ect.). I want to have a small colony at first so but still have it so that i always have rats when i need them is the best way to do this to breed one female then wait a week or two and breed another? i will soon be feeding anywhere from 6-10 snakes id say (ball pythons.)
What do i feed these rats? How old about should they be when i buy them? I know some people buy them young and raise them so they are docil this is why i am asking. Any help is greatly appreciated and if you do have plans or would rather talk to me directly my email is bigstinkrebel@yahoo.com.
Thank You All
B Sleeper

I don't know too much about breeding rats, i do mice. but as so food, lab block. PetSmart has some rodent food blocks those will work. Just remember to give the preggy females a little extra calcium so it doesn't get sucked from their bones. And as for me, I get my breeders from pet stores, fancy mice. I get ones that look diffrent so I can keep better track of which one gave me what little at what time. And I'll be able to remember which one I wanted to keep as a furture breeder you know?
and for breeding rack, apex rodents has some good priced ones to rats. I got one for mice and i like it ^_^
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

I checked apex but did not find any racks on there site could you possibly send me a link please?
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B Sleeper

1.0 Chocolate Lab
0.1 ?? Normal Ball python (yet different)
1.0 04 Het Albino
1.1 06 Het Albino
1.1 06 Het Pied
1.0 06 Pastel
0.? 07 Pos Het Albino (Momma has not laid the eggs yet)

on their site they have some for rats for sale. here's a pic of my thing that got from apex to give you an idea of what they may look like. Also you can make 'em yourself with the right tools, (sissors and a nail gun maybe). Anyways... hope it helps. If it all comes down to it you can hit up a pet shop and buy a rats cage....

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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)