Rat breeding...

[Irbz_27]

So I've just recently started breeding some rats, doesn't seem like my first attempt is gonna be very successful... 2 litters and quite a few haven't made it through the first week. Using shredded paper as a bedding for them. Changing that tomorrow as I think that's caused a few fatalities once it's wet. The female rats are about 10 mths old and have never bred... Anyone got any tips to be successful? I'd even be happy if most of them just made it to fuzzy size at least. That would suffice for a couple of hungry beasts!

[caleb96]

Hey mate, when i have a rat breeding for the first time some dont make it through if its only there first litter each dont be worried but even i have some of my rats now hat have had 6 litters and then there 7 some din't make it through it alwaysbwill happen try get some wood shavings or hay from the pet shop for substrate then just add a little bit of shredded paper for nesting

[Irbz_27]

Yeah figured being first litter that could happen. As I said I'm gonna change bedding tomorrow, probably to straw... What's your preference? Cheers for the advice

[caleb96]

Yeah iv heard straw works alright i use wood shavings because i can get it cheap so thats what i use but use whats easy for you but nothing to dusty straw should be fine

[Venomous_RBB]

I use newspaper in mine, they rip it up and make their own nest, I too lose some, especially first go around, all of my females, when they first had pups, half of the females ended up losing pups, the other half did surprisingly well for their first litter.

[ingie]

Shavings are great for absorbing moisture, with a bit of straw or newspaper for making a nest
A good female should be able to produce a good sized litter (around 12 is ideal)and raise them all without drama. If I was you I would get different rats to start breeding with. The best option would be to go to a local feeder breeder and get some rats from their proven breeding stock. Reproductive success is largely genetic (so long as the rats receive a good diet), and starting out with an old mum who looses most of her babies sounds like an uphill battle.

[slim6y]

Is there any information on the 'dioxins' in paper?

I'd say at a very young age - rats would be quite susceptible to poisoning in this manner.

Shredded paper, newspaper etc etc - most contain dioxins to some degree.

Newsprint also contains a whole host of other chemicals that could be consumed by the mother and passed through in the milk.

I'd only use newspaper or shredded paper in enclosures where there is NO risk of the paper being consumed by the animals being kept in there.

There was an article I read years ago about the dioxins in newsprint and animals that were eating it - results were fairly damning!

[solar 17]

Everything Ingie said is true (IMO) but some other factors "maybe" have an influence, their diet is one and you can argue this one till the cows come home and there are lots of success stories, but l very firmly believe 2 different sorts of kibble (dry food) works a treat personally l use Biomare and switch the other around between cat and dog food....another point to debate is the male in or out personally unless there is a specific reason the male stays in, as the mother comes on season immediately after giving birth and then every 96 hours after that until she falls pregnant again now l will say it how l see it a big percentage of females appear to become frustrated (sexually) and often turn into total bitches and often take it out on their young (fatally) in some cases.....cheers baden

[Wild~Touch]

I agree with solar 17

Another point: 10 month old female rats breeding for the first time may not be ideal.

Rats have a very short life span (normally) and you could liken your female rats agewise

to 50 year old human females being 1st time mothers

Cheers
Sandee

[Irbz_27]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Will take all these factors on board


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[JAS101]

i use a mix of shavings and cross shredded paper , then for nesting i use just shredded paper .
you have to remember the placement of the rats can have an impact or death rates too . on cold days i run a wood fire , and on hot days i run the air con in the rat shed .

[wokka]

If your paper is becoming WET then you have a problem. What watereres are you using? Babies will freeze if wet on a cold night so you first guess is very likely correct.

[geniix]

Do any of you guys separate the females when they give birth? Or leave them in their groups to nurse together?

[Blake182]

what is a nother way to keep the rats cool when it is hot??

[caleb96]

Fans get ya self a couple and set them up around your rat setup