Things I wish I had known when I started out breeding rats...

[Rhasputin]

Waterbottles, you're supposed to use about 1/2 drops per 8 oz of PURE organic vanilla extract. If it's not real vanilla, it does no good. The more pure, the more organic, the more concentrated, the better!

[meowmeowkazoo]

Waterbottles, you're supposed to use about 1/2 drops per 8 oz of PURE organic vanilla extract. If it's not real vanilla, it does no good. The more pure, the more organic, the more concentrated, the better!

Ah, I was using imitation vanilla. I will pick up some organic stuff tomorrow. Thanks!

[Rhasputin]

Aha! That may be your problem.
It's not a complete and total change in scent, but it does help hide it.

[adamjeffery]

im not trying to start a debate on if you should or should not use dog food. i am just going to say that in my case i feed exclusively doggy bag dog food. i have never had a rat with a cyst ever, never had any sickness except when i had a flood, smell isnt the greatest but i cant say its any differant form when i used sunseed critter cubes.
i just had a female drop a litter of 24 babies. my average for a litter is 12-15. young females 8-10. i have had a few females drop still borns, but i breed non stop and my females dont get breaks. i retire females at 12-15 months old.

[Rhasputin]

AdamJefferey, could you show us photos of your rats?


Feeding doggy bag dog food, it like feeding a human being nothing but instant $0.10 ramen it's whole life. Sure it won't die quick from it, but it's absolutely not healthy.

[jasbus]

DB is crap, your rats will not do well on it for long...
I wouldn't feed DB to a mangy starved dog.

Find a quality rodent block, and you'll be surprised at how much better your rats are. And, despite what's said, it's not that much more expensive...

[Rhasputin]

If I was locked in a room with nothing to eat but DB dog food, I'd starve first.

[adamjeffery]

AdamJefferey, could you show us photos of your rats?


Feeding doggy bag dog food, it like feeding a human being nothing but instant $0.10 ramen it's whole life. Sure it won't die quick from it, but it's absolutely not healthy.

heres one i had on my phone from cleaning day a while back.
i see no problems with mine. all healthy and looking great. very muscular and great weight. not greasy ....been doing it this way for about a year and a half with this food.

[meowmeowkazoo]

Well, pictures or not I believe the general consensus to be that rodent block is much healthier for rats than dog food.

I'm sure it's entirely possible to raise rats on dog food and have no issues, but I believe they will be healthier, and in turn be better nutrition for your snake if they are fed a species appropriate diet.

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

That's the kicker...the nutritional value of the rodent is inevitably higher on an animal fed a diet specifically designed for a rodent. I too fed doggy bag dog food when I started breeding and didn't have much in the way of trouble but it's just common sense that there is a difference between rats surviving and rats being nutritionally optimum for your reptiles. Use this example: a human being who eats whatever he wants with no regard to nutritional value VS. A human being who eats food based on his exact nutritional needs and supplements with necessary vitamins and minerals. Which is healthier? The first guy will live but the second guy is likely to be healthier and live longer. Besides with rodent block being as cheap as 13.00 a bag for 50lbs why not feed the right stuff?