Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone,
If i breed mice and rats and keep them in the garage
will they be fine in the winter months if i put lots of bedding in the cage? I live in MI,.

if it drops below 60F then you should have some other heat supply. They may survive colder temps, but it isn't likely they will breed much if it's cold for weeks.

You will need to have several mice or rats in a cage so they can stay together for body heat. Your winters are really cold and they may quit breeding. But, thats were I would keep them or better is a basement.

Winters in West Texas aren't too bad but we have some days that get down to the "teens" with a single digit wind chill. I keep my rats in the garage and when it drop below 55 Deg. F I use a 250 watt heat lamp and leave it on all the time. The lighting doesn't bother them at all. I have not seen a drop in production at all. When it gets really cold (in the single digits for wind chill - we get alot of high wind) I use (2) 250 watt heat lamps. They do great!!
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"New strategy R-2, Let the Wookie Win!!!"

If you cover your rack with a tarp.Then put your lights on the bottom the heat will rise and previde plenty of heat.If you put some red bricks on floor and face the lights down this will make a more steady heat and help to spread the heat more so you do not get hot spots. It works great for me and they never stopped breeding.This way keeps my rats at around 60 to 65 in my shed.good luck