Hey I'm getting ready to build some racks and was wondering if anybody kept their rats outdoors during the winter. They'll be inside an uninsulated shed. I understand that production might be slow, but I was also wondering what was the lowest temp they could go to and still be healthy and not freeze. I'm in Northern California. Thanks in advance, Nick

Hey I'm getting ready to build some racks and was wondering if anybody kept their rats outdoors during the winter. They'll be inside an uninsulated shed. I understand that production might be slow, but I was also wondering what was the lowest temp they could go to and still be healthy and not freeze. I'm in Northern California. Thanks in advance, Nick

I had problems when it got below about 40F.... I have two oil filed heaters in the garage that is insulated that keep it around 60F most of the time. If cold weather comes through, it doesn't seem to drop below 52F.... they keep breeding, so I'm happy. It's not a high out put by any means.... but it means you have healthy breeders ready to take over come the warm up into spring.

I keep my rats in my unheated garage. It never gets below freezing out there but I have noticed that all breeeding seems to stop when the temps dropped below 40 degrees.

Ours are going into a shed this spring and we live in the Midwest. Skylights for light and heat may help as well. Just a thought.

I've got my rats in my old darkroom, temps stay about 50-55 and they breed GREAT in there. No problems with them getting sick or anything.

Ours are going into a shed this spring and we live in the Midwest. Skylights for light and heat may help as well. Just a thought.

Ours will be living it up with A/C also, rats always go to shit in the heat here...

for what its worth..........I keep my rats in an unheated garage. I'm in Florida so yes, we really don't have winter here but it has been getting pretty cold. Needless to say, my mom/birthing racks are completely full. I figured the breeding would slow down but they are eating, drinking, and breeding like its going out of style. I would be worried more about the extreme heat then the cold......

Jon, what do you do in the suummer?

Jon, what do you do in the suummer?

I have a portable AC unit that I run on a timer so it comes on about 10 in the morning and goes off around 5 or 6. It keeps the extreme temps down during the hot parts of the day. Helps with the smell too.......

i think once they get so cold they stop breeding but its to cold here for that

I have a portable AC unit that I run on a timer so it comes on about 10 in the morning and goes off around 5 or 6. It keeps the extreme temps down during the hot parts of the day. Helps with the smell too.......
Thanks!

I live in South Florida. I know of two guys whose rats for all intensive purposes are outside. I think it can be done, but production might suffer in the summer time.

Keep an eye out for wild rats and mice. They'll bring in pests, eat your food, and can pass on illnesses that can spread like wildfire.

If you must, I think 40 is too cold, especially if you just stick them out there, they haven't had the time or need to grow a winter coat. (honestly not sure if they can in short amount of time) An oil filled heater to keep it in the 60's is really best.

Rats like to be kept between 65-85. Once at either spectrum, you will get rats overheating, or stopping production to save their own skins.

Thanks everyone, for all the helpful info-this was a question I had myself...:rockon:

This year has been my first to keep the rats outside. They're in an uninsulated shed with no heat or a/c unit at this time. Temps have gotten down to 34 overnight at the lowest while they've been out there, the average temp has been more like 40-50 night time and 55-70 day time but they are still making babies and doing well. Don't underestimate body warmth, hahaha. They make nice nests and cuddle when they're getting too cool. I think the summer heat will be more of a concern than the 'winter" temps we get down here.

This year has been my first to keep the rats outside. They're in an uninsulated shed with no heat or a/c unit at this time. Temps have gotten down to 34 overnight at the lowest while they've been out there, the average temp has been more like 40-50 night time and 55-70 day time but they are still making babies and doing well. Don't underestimate body warmth, hahaha. They make nice nests and cuddle when they're getting too cool. I think the summer heat will be more of a concern than the 'winter" temps we get down here.


Yeah the guy I know who breeds large quantities of rodents near us says the 'barns' are run on 'rodent power' for heat. Not sure if he adds heaters when the temps here really drop, will have to ask him.