I want to get started in breeding rats but i have a few quick questions. First let me say that i'm looking for the most hands off approach possible. I plan on getting a massive rubbermaid, putting in a 1 male/5 female group. Now, i would like to be able to just leave that group alone, leave the male rat in there after the births, etc. because i have read that the male baby rats will get alone with the father only if raised with him there, and generally i get the impression that the male rat is a caring father, etc, PLUS i like that i can just leave him in there because it's less work feeding other enclosures, etc (i plan on having a lot). The only thing is, I have read that the female rats can get pregnant soon after they give birth, then they get another litter before properly raising their first. This sounds bad. So basically: can i just leave a 1.5 group together forever, taking out the pups as they are weaned, or will I have to mess with male seperation? Thanks
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
take male rat out or leave him in?
Replies (2)
>>I want to get started in breeding rats but i have a few quick questions. First let me say that i'm looking for the most hands off approach possible. I plan on getting a massive rubbermaid, putting in a 1 male/5 female group. Now, i would like to be able to just leave that group alone, leave the male rat in there after the births, etc. because i have read that the male baby rats will get alone with the father only if raised with him there, and generally i get the impression that the male rat is a caring father, etc, PLUS i like that i can just leave him in there because it's less work feeding other enclosures, etc (i plan on having a lot). The only thing is, I have read that the female rats can get pregnant soon after they give birth, then they get another litter before properly raising their first. This sounds bad. So basically: can i just leave a 1.5 group together forever, taking out the pups as they are weaned, or will I have to mess with male seperation? Thanks
You can do it either way with rats. Reintroduce him to the group on a cleaning day and when there aren't tiny pups and he should be fine. I have always move my males around and rarely have trouble. Then it is with individuals. Young males likely won't be a problem for you either.
-----
Sonya
Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron
:
