Upping Protein and Fat?

Was thinking about putting some high protein dog food to up their protein/fat to reduce some cannibalism and just give some fast growth towards babies and healthier moms... sound good? Any other suggestions than dog food? Should I use cat food, dog food, or small animal (trail mix) food?

Is there any ingredient I should be watching out for? (bad for rats/mice or snakes)?

I was just going to put a small handful in every cleaning just for them to supplement the lab blocks.

They really shouldn't be cannibalizing as long as they have plenty of food and water. I'm not sure what kind of rodent block you are using, but I'm buying Kent rat food, $12 for a 50 pound bag and they don't get any dog food. I used to feed them some dog food, but they were getting fat. They are doing perfectly fine with just the rodent food.

If you really want to give them dog food, just get them one of the cheaper brands, that way it doesn't have too much protein. The cheaper dog foods are mostly grain. Cat food has a lot of protein so you want to stay away from that.

The other thing I was wondering is how you are feeding them. Are they eating it through hardwired cloth or are you just putting the food in the tub/tank with the rats? If you are putting it in the tub/tank they are peeing on it which means they aren't going to eat as much of it. And if you are feeding through hardwired cloth make sure it's wide enough.

17-20% protein is ideal. Any more than that, and kidney problems will develop over time.

If you are feeding a quality block, you don't need to supplement. I give a scoop of horse sweet feed to tubs that have pinks and pups on cleaning day, just to give them the extra vareity and molasses. But, I don't think it really helps anything but a sweet tooth....

High quality rodent block is designed for maintaining and breeding rodents. jasbus post is right on point.

Regards,

B

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

They really shouldn't be cannibalizing as long as they have plenty of food and water. I'm not sure what kind of rodent block you are using, but I'm buying Kent rat food, $12 for a 50 pound bag and they don't get any dog food. I used to feed them some dog food, but they were getting fat. They are doing perfectly fine with just the rodent food.

If you really want to give them dog food, just get them one of the cheaper brands, that way it doesn't have too much protein. The cheaper dog foods are mostly grain. Cat food has a lot of protein so you want to stay away from that.

The other thing I was wondering is how you are feeding them. Are they eating it through hardwired cloth or are you just putting the food in the tub/tank with the rats? If you are putting it in the tub/tank they are peeing on it which means they aren't going to eat as much of it. And if you are feeding through hardwired cloth make sure it's wide enough.

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i'm using native earth 18%, they are eating through 1/2 inch grid wire but i still seem to be getting deaths and cannibals

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Originally Posted by Python Lair

i'm using native earth 18%, they are eating through 1/2 inch grid wire but i still seem to be getting deaths and cannibals

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Then your rat stock might have issues. Lots of people feed 4018 and it is a great lab block. I feed the same and have healthy litter after litter with my females. Are you harem breeding? Lots of females in a tub together? Males left in? Give some more details because something has to be up unless your stock is really bad.

Regards,

B

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

Then your rat stock might have issues. Lots of people feed 4018 and it is a great lab block. I feed the same and have healthy litter after litter with my females. Are you harem breeding? Lots of females in a tub together? Males left in? Give some more details because something has to be up unless your stock is really bad.

Regards,

B

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i was harem breeding but i started to separate them due to the fact it seemed like the babies were getting trampled. I haven't had cannibals in a little while but i am still getting frequent deaths in babies even if they are almost weaning size. I have small deep bus tubs that are 1.3, but still separate the pregos and the moms hoping that they will be better off alone, should i just keep the with the group or take them out and have some pregnant/moms together away from the male?

Are you watching? is it a respiratory problem? any of ur rats having problems breathing? I know I ran into that problem at one point where I was losing at least a rat a day.... I culled the whole group, disinfected everything and started over and haven't had a problem since.

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Originally Posted by azmodane

Are you watching? is it a respiratory problem? any of ur rats having problems breathing? I know I ran into that problem at one point where I was losing at least a rat a day.... I culled the whole group, disinfected everything and started over and haven't had a problem since.

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it might actually be that... did see some stuffy noses, is there a way i can cure it rather than getting rid of everything??

I seperate my moms and only do .2 per tub max. If you have a lot of sneezing you might have an issue. I'm not sure on a cure because I haven't run into it. Hopefully some more of the rat experts will chime in.

Regards,

B