So how "easy" is it really?

I know breeding rats is somewhat financially smart compared to buying rats (Unless you get them from a breeder for a cheap price), but how difficult is it?

I know you need the space, I know you need the proper type of set ups (Rat racks and what not) and I know you need the proper dietary needs (Can somebody fill me in on what they think is the best for the food please?) and the patience and time to actually care for them.

Could somebody tell me how to set up and use a CO2 chamber? I get HOW to use it, but I don't know how to "catch" and what to do with the left over CO2.

Anything else you think that is important that I forgot, please feel free to inform me on. :)

Alright, I think its easy as pie. But when people take short cuts, or some people just don't have the proper resources available to them. issues always seem to occur. This seems to be a BIG reason.

I think if you want to have success the following should be a REQUIREMENT

1. MAZURI 6F!! No dog food! Some have luck some don't therefore I don't use it. Thats enough proof in the pudding for me. Whenever I use 6f I had nothing but great results.

2. Proper enclosure! Large mortar tubs are best. They give them lots of room to roam around, and be as stress free as possible. I don't think cat litter pans are sufficient for allowing mothers to move around and do their "thing" so to speak. 1.3 in each Make sure you have a nice watering system, and keep them clean by cleaning them out once a week. Don't keep it too warm. I think 78-82 is a sweet spot. Anything higher they get lazy from what I observed.

I honestly never had a problem getting what I needed when I needed it when stuck by this. If theres one thing you do just use 6f. Nursing mothers seem to benefit from it more then compared to dog food.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

Alright, I think its easy as pie. But when people take short cuts, or some people just don't have the proper resources available to them. issues always seem to occur. This seems to be a BIG reason.

I think if you want to have success the following should be a REQUIREMENT

1. MAZURI 6F!! No dog food! Some have luck some don't therefore I don't use it. Thats enough proof in the pudding for me. Whenever I use 6f I had nothing but great results.

2. Proper enclosure! Large mortar tubs are best. They give them lots of room to roam around, and be as stress free as possible. I don't think cat litter pans are sufficient for allowing mothers to move around and do their "thing" so to speak. 1.3 in each Make sure you have a nice watering system, and keep them clean by cleaning them out once a week. Don't keep it too warm. I think 78-82 is a sweet spot. Anything higher they get lazy from what I observed.

I honestly never had a problem getting what I needed when I needed it when stuck by this. If theres one thing you do just use 6f. Nursing mothers seem to benefit from it more then compared to dog food.

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X2:banana::gj::banana::gj::banana:

This is how I c02 my rats

Dry ice: Located at welding supply stores, party supply stores, and sometimes other grocers will have some in the back you can buy.

15qt tub

Juice bottle

Aquarium tubing

Drill

Drill small hole in tub and in cap of juice bottle. Insert aquarium tubing into holes (so the tube goes from the juice bottle to the tub. Crush up some of the ice so its like a powder and funnell it into the juice bottle. Add rats to container, secure lid. Add warm water to ice. c02 gas will begin to rapidly go from the bottle to the tub causing all o2 to rise up and out out of the tub causing the rats to suffocate. Not the best because of how quick c02 enters the tub. Causes panic and stress while the animal expires. There are more "humane" ways, but I find this to be fine. They die within 1 min if that. And personally I'm sure when a bp coils a rat they panic as well so no harm in my eyes. Good luck!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

A slower, steady supply of CO2 will be much more humane and I think is more effective than a rapid dose. No reason to really rush the process. It may take another minute or two, but just go tend to another thing during the process, and with keeping herps and rats there is always something to do.

Also a less complicated way with less components you can just use a small container drill small holes in sides, lower to the bottom, add dry ice and set it in the container with the rats.

A slow dose will allow for a humane method of euthanization. They will basically just go to sleep opposed to choking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redstormlax12

A slower, steady supply of CO2 will be much more humane and I think is more effective than a rapid dose. No reason to really rush the process. It may take another minute or two, but just go tend to another thing during the process, and with keeping herps and rats there is always something to do.

Also a less complicated way with less components you can just use a small container drill small holes in sides, lower to the bottom, add dry ice and set it in the container with the rats.

A slow dose will allow for a humane method of euthanization. They will basically just go to sleep opposed to choking.

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This is actually the next method I intend on using. How long does it usually take for them to expire?