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Post by brittany on Jun 10, 2010 0:16:01 GMT -5
So.... If some of you have read my switching thread, Bella ate some of her first mouse today. I think she was avoiding the fur. I am going to start breeding rats (they're less stinky and smarter)....
Of course I won't be feeding my brats live fully grown rats! I am going to start with pinky rats from my first litter, and slowly move up to furries. Any one's that happen to get to big before I can feed them off, I will bring to my job and they will either be sold as food or pets =).
I was thinking of starting with a ten gallon tank, but for full grown rats, that might be too small. So I might buy some strong plastic tubs, and do the side ventilation. It will save me money, be easier to clean, and will be more convenient...
I do have some questions though...
Should I get like 3 females and one male? That's usually what we do with mice at my job.
Whats the best way to be able to make side colonies off of my original one? Would it be to get the females from different blood lines, as well as the male?
Is there a how to somewhere that shows how to do the side ventilation?
Thanks for your time!
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Post by brittany on Jun 12, 2010 9:42:43 GMT -5
So far my colony is tiny....
Current Number of Breedable Females: 2 Current Number of Breedable Males: 1 Number Litters Produced: 0 Number of Offspring Produced: 0 Current List of Cages: 1 big plastic tub with top ventilation, side ventilation wouldn't work on this one =/, and another tub to place the male in when the females are showing =).
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Post by goingpostal on Jun 12, 2010 16:35:31 GMT -5
Most don't do side vents as they will just throw bedding out the holes and make a giant mess, as far as side colonies, I just hold back the most attractive females and males and try not to breed brother to sister although I'm sure it's happened by now, I try to pick up a new male or two whenever I head out of town to add some new blood though. You can inbreed for a long time without issues from what I understand, most big breeders do. If you have freezer space just euth the ones you can't use before they get too large and hang onto them for later.
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Post by brittany on Jun 14, 2010 12:58:28 GMT -5
Update... I now have 1 male and 1 female. I heard screeching one night and I knew it was a rat, I got up and turned the light on, Sassy was pacing back and fourth trying to find something at the top of her cage. I have no idea where that poor rat went. I just hope it doesn't hurt my babies nor does it die and stink up the house lol.
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Post by brittany on Jun 14, 2010 19:21:45 GMT -5
Ok I'm back to 2 females and 1 male =). I found her... That's the great things about rats, they are easier to find! I got a regular "aquarium" cage for them with a screened top... It seems much easier to work with...
I do have a question though. Are full grown males testicles pretty big? I think all three of them are babies. The boy's testicles aren't really sticking out too much like I remember my old pet rats had. So I'm thinking they aren't mature enough to have babies? He's not even humping them but maybe it's happening at night more so.
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Post by horse656 on Jun 15, 2010 16:18:38 GMT -5
yea, rats and mice are nocurtnal animals, so they'll "do it" at night. if there isn't much of a bump, then generally they aren't old enough. well... at least with my mice.
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Post by brittany on Jun 15, 2010 22:33:58 GMT -5
I got these rats from a privately owned pet store who sold me a pregnant hamster a few years ago.... That being said:
One of the female rats (Both are hooded, the male is albino) hasn't been showing herself lately, she's pretty much taken over the igloo! I didn't think twice about it, but then I figured I'd check on her. She looks to be pregnant! I had her get out of the igloo and she stood on her back feet and there is a slightly noticeable roundness to her sides.... Her figure seems a bit more round then her sisters so I'm hoping she preggo!! Wish me luck! I will be getting another nursing cage for her tomorrow =).
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Post by horse656 on Jun 16, 2010 6:42:23 GMT -5
if you feel around her stomach you might be able to feel the babies(small balls), if she is pregnant. i've only done mice, so i don't know if it will works with rats, but i don't see why it wouldn't.
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Post by brittany on Jun 16, 2010 12:19:22 GMT -5
I couldn't feel any little balls, but she's skittish and it was quite hard. I'm just HOPING there are little pups in there though!
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Post by brittany on Jun 16, 2010 12:21:06 GMT -5
Current Number of Breedable Females: 2 Current Number of Breedable Males: 1 Possible Litters: 1 Number Litters Produced: 0 Number of Offspring Produced: 0 Current List of Cages: 1 ten gallon breeding tank, and two big plastic tubs for raising the pups.
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Post by brittany on Jun 16, 2010 23:52:36 GMT -5
The possibly preggo female seems to have cleaned around her nipples.... I think babies are headed my way!
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Post by brittany on Jun 17, 2010 13:11:49 GMT -5
It's so frustrating waiting for these babies to come! I'm not a patient person lol. Any way, I have a question.
I read somewhere that you can leave the male with the female after she gives birth (rats only) and he might even help warm their bodies up but in most cases wont eat them if they are his. Is this true?
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Post by horse656 on Jun 17, 2010 13:54:20 GMT -5
you can leave the male in with the female with mice to, they help as well. i'm not sure about rats, but i think so.
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Post by brittany on Jun 17, 2010 13:57:24 GMT -5
I think she might be a first time mother so there's that chance of her killing the litter, would it be best to put her in a cage alone in this case to make her first litter a little less stressful?
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Post by brittany on Jun 18, 2010 14:31:49 GMT -5
She is going to pop any day now, I wake up to a bigger nest and belly everyday! I just hope this is her maternal habits and not normal, and I'm also hoping it isn't just a tumor! LOL. Thanks horse for all of your help!
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