Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some advice.

We have 21 tubs with 3 female rats each and 6 tubs with 4 females each. How would the experts here rotate males amongst these tubs to maximize production.

Thanks for your response!!!

Ben

I forgot to ask ... how many males would you use?

Ben

Simpliest method is just buy 27 males, one for each tub. For rotating, you want to ensure the female gets pregnant so keeping the male in with her for at least 5-10 days (rats cycle is every 5 days) and gestation is 20-23 days. Assuming the females don't cycle altogether, expect to keep the males in with the female for 10 days to be sure he gets at least one cycle with each female per tub. You probably have no problem with 5-10 males but you may need more later on, depending on how the females get pregnant. If they are all on the same day giving birth, bit tricker to get them pregnant in the 24 hour time they get get pregnant after getting birth.

I am not an expert with breeding multiple bins with only a few males, I typically have 1-2 colonies, each with their own male.

>>I need some advice.
>>
>>We have 21 tubs with 3 female rats each and 6 tubs with 4 females each. How would the experts here rotate males amongst these tubs to maximize production.

I think if it were me I would have 5 or 7 males. BUT that depends on how often you need litters and if you want to breed back females immediately. I don't breed back immediately very often so I can have a male per 3-5 groups of girls and be okay. Typically I leave a boy in for a week to ten days and then shift him on. I also rest my moms sometimes to raise litters and breed them back when pups wean.
If you want more continuous litters get ten boys and shift them back and forth between two tubs each.
When I was breeding rats only for pets I would take a pair and put them together for several hours to a day. Then back to their own cages. MOST of the time I could breed them fine this way and know exact due dates. Impractical for large production though.
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Sonya

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