Small-Animals - Breeding feeders

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BCIhandler26 Manderzratz Rebecca Wright Lovetheleo Lovetheleo Manderzratz Lovetheleo Manderzratz Lovetheleo

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#1863221

BCIhandler26
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Breeding feeders

I was thinking about keeping three adult rats two females and a male to breed for babies for my snakes...can i put three of them in a 29 gallon tank? Or is a 55 gallon better because its more room?

Should I use the 55 gallon tank and unplug the under tank heating mat or would the under tank heatin mat be good for the rats to keep them warm?

09/19/08 10:57am

#1863315

Manderzratz
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Message To: BCIhandler26 In reference to Message Id: 1863221

Breeding feeders

it will burn them. either tank could give respiratory issues and is too narrow. i personally hate tanks and for my (pet) rats, build my own cages. if you wanted to use a tank, it NEEDS to be changed out at least every other or third day if not daily and should be at least a 40 or 75. you have to give more levels too. maybe use something to attach hammocks.

09/19/08 01:08pm

#1863603

Rebecca Wright
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Message To: Manderzratz In reference to Message Id: 1863315

Breeding feeders

personally I wouldnt plan on keeping my rats in aquariums 24/7, I would at the very least give them a nice rattie home (like a wire cage) for when they arent breeding and I would recomend getting another male to be companion to the breeder when he isnt being bred.... the females should be fine together depending on the females.... but I would definately give them a way of getting above the aquarium if you plan to keep them in there that way they can at least get out of the smell if it gets too much for them.... otherwise i agree with the pp

09/19/08 07:22pm

#1863619

Lovetheleo
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Message To: Rebecca Wright In reference to Message Id: 1863603

Breeding feeders

i agree with both pp

you also cann house the male with the females b/c he will constatnly breed with them and it will shorten their liespan substantially

you should get 2 males so they have a friend and then several females and then rotate which ones are bred s they are not constantly pregnant

09/19/08 07:45pm

#1863625

Lovetheleo
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Message To: Lovetheleo In reference to Message Id: 1863619

Breeding feeders

opps forgot to add

my hamsters accidently bred(they were supposed to be all male grrr)

and she had the babies before i even knew she was pregnant and she was mated again so about a month after having the first babies she had another set

now this was only 2 litters and it took her months to put the weight back on and she still is not as fat as she used to be(she is getting older though) anyway just wanted to point out that my hammy only had one litter after another immagine if your rats are constantly having babies

which will happen if you house males and females

09/19/08 07:49pm

#1863697

Manderzratz
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Message To: Lovetheleo In reference to Message Id: 1863625

Breeding feeders

yes. i don’t breed my rats as they are pets only but rats (and all animals) should have time between litters. 4-6 weeks between litters is preferred.

09/19/08 08:48pm