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Hello all, I'm about to recieve a group of rats that I'd like to breed for my growing collection of snakes and had a question. My wife would prefer I not keep them in the house (because of the odor) and was wondering if it was possible to build a hutch (similar to a rabbit hutch) and keep them outdoors. They would not be in a separate building, just the hutch (which would obviously require measures to protect them from the elements.) Does anybody feel this is possible (or advisable) or would I be best to not even try this idea. Any help (and tips) for such a project would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Scott Sullivan.
My website (still under construction)

all it would take is 1 wild rat gettin into the collection, and you would have worms, mites, ticks, all sorts of internal and external parasites which would get right into your collection.

If you clean every 5 days, rats are almost ODORLESS. Use a bedding like rabbit pellets (alf alfa) or something like carefresh.

best of luck

dan

Thank you for the quick reply. Other rodents getting into the hutch was not something I had considered. The post below your mentions building a small shed to house them and I think that may be an option. To be honest with you I can't imagine other rats being where I live, but I may be wrong. I was more concerned with cats, racoons and other wild native animals in my area. I live in Massachusetts so the temps are usually pretty reasonable, but can get pretty high during mid-summer. Thanks again for your input, Scott.

Scot

I do something like that now. I built a shed between my garage and a block wall. It's a little more complicated than a hutch. It has 4 walls, a door (no wild animals can get in), shelves, electric and now a water system. The problem I'm having is keeping the temps down in the summer. I live in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. It was in the 90's here today and yesterday. I set up a fan that comes on at 78F and blows the hot air at the top out. So far I'm undecided if this is going to work out. If I cant keep the temps lower than an occassional 80F, I think I'll kill everybody off and start up again in the fall. I have enough in the freezer, maybe.

DeMak

Thank you, I am going to consider a similar set up for myself. I live in Massachusetts so the temps usually aren't too bad but during mid-summer they can get up there. If you have any suggestions for making this a successful plan, feel free to voice them. I'm going to put some thought into this and try to make it work. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your thoughts, Scott.

Rats are extremely intolerant of either heat or cold, and are also extremely intolerant of dampness and/or very high humidity.

Besides the risk of them becoming infected by parasites, viruses, etc., from wild species that may contact them, you have to consider how you are going to keep them dry, and maintain them at tolerable temperatures.

Building a shed to house them is your best bet, and you need to make it vermin-proof. You should set up a heating system for the winter, and a cooling system for the summer. Personally, I much prefer to keep them indoors. As you've already been told: if their cages are cleaned regularly, and kept dry, they're almost completely odorless.

>>Hello all, I'm about to recieve a group of rats that I'd like to breed for my growing collection of snakes and had a question. My wife would prefer I not keep them in the house (because of the odor) and was wondering if it was possible to build a hutch (similar to a rabbit hutch) and keep them outdoors. They would not be in a separate building, just the hutch (which would obviously require measures to protect them from the elements.) Does anybody feel this is possible (or advisable) or would I be best to not even try this idea. Any help (and tips) for such a project would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Scott Sullivan.
>>My website (still under construction)

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tricia