Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks for the input. I am building a very small outbuilding (probably only 8x8) to build up my rodent colonies. So is the concensus that I can up both mice AND rat racks in there? I would like to build the design that Dan generously posted for the rats. on the other wall I'll have some mice racks.
also, quick question for Dan regarding the rack system you posted - how many rats should I look to get to fully stock this system. I will probably just be pulling out babies and fuzzies so I'll probably not need raise up racks right now and can simply stock the whole thing with breeders. How many per bin do you recommend? 1.?
Thank you all very much,
Mike

I run 1.2 rats per rack, but if you are going with those cement mixing tubs I think you can go 1.3 or 1.4. Regarding raising mice and rats in the same room, no problem. The biggest problem I have run into with mice is security. I think that if they feel stressed, they kill the babies and get sick.

good luck
Denver Tom

in the rack i posted pics of.. i run my rats in groups of 1.3 with no problems at all.

10 tubs of 1.3 would equal out to 10.30 to stock the whole rack from top to bottom with future breeders.

best of luck

dan

What's your opinion on breeders who rotate a male throughout the females cages. I'm asking because I have a friend who does this. JUst wondering if keeping down to only a few males would keep cost and especially smell.
Thanks,
Mike

you CAN.. and it does work.. but you will have weird production rates sometimes..

some months you will get TONS of babies cuz the males are doing a good job.. other months he might be lazy and you get 1 outta 3 females to produce..

i prefer to leave my males in at all times.. he helps raise the babies.. and overall is a productive member of the colonly

dan

np