I posted the following on the 17th of last month:
"I am in Florida and the heat IS unbearable, and still early in the summer. My rats are outside, under cover and last week I lost about 6 adult females due to the heat, I am sure. I felt terrible about the situation and bought a 20" fan (at home depot, $34.00), not industrial but not a dinky weak one. This fan is REALLY strong and on the weakest setting ventilates ALL the tubs in my 21 tub freedom breeder. Since I began using the fan I have not lost any animals and they seem much happier ... also, as a byproduct, the smell seems more under control, for some reason."
As an update I'd like to report that in spite of temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's our rats are doing great. Have not lost any more adults to the heat and production is DEFFINITELY up, so, there is hope in this heat ... VENTILATION is the magic word!
