Considering switching to rats, but have a question!
When I got Kaa back in November - she was extremely underweight and in truth I have no clue exactly how old she is. She is at least 8-9months. Since then I have been diligently trying to get her weight up however she refused rat pups when I got her and would only eat mice. At the moment I have her on a 5 day feeding schedule and has begun taking 2 large mice per feeding for about a month and a half now.
I took her to the vet about two weeks ago for a check up and she's got a clean bill of health. She is only around 350g which I know is rather petite compared to most. However, thankfully she eats like a champ! I would like to switch to rats for the nutritious value and am hoping that she'll take one.
Any idea on what size rat I should try?
Re: Considering switching to rats, but have a question!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Inarikins
There isn't really a nutritional difference between rats and mice
Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have personally seen a major difference in growth rates between mousers and rat eaters (both on a 10-15% body weight diet). Our rat eaters usually grow at a much quicker rate and have better overall body mass. Mousers we've had are usually slower growing and tend to be a lot lankier. You can get all scientific and quote nutritional values done in some lab, but coming from first hand experience and seeing the real life results, those numbers don't mean much to me. Other than that, I'll second what you have said. Start small and scent. :gj:
AKedit: Tessa, check out Big Cheese Rodent Factory. They will have what you need.
Re: Considering switching to rats, but have a question!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AK907
Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have personally seen a major difference in growth rates between mousers and rat eaters (both on a 10-15% body weight diet). Our rat eaters usually grow at a much quicker rate and have better overall body mass. Mousers we've had are usually slower growing and tend to be a lot lankier. You can get all scientific and quote nutritional values done in some lab, but coming from first hand experience and seeing the real life results, those numbers don't mean much to me. Other than that, I'll second what you have said. Start small and scent. :gj:
I used to say that rats were better nutrition-wise and a bunch of people jumped down my throat about it, so... :/
But yeah, Tessa, a 90-100g F/T rat is wayyyyyyy too big. Call around and see if you can't find a place that has something smaller. You're going to probably want a large weaner or a small small. You could also try putting an ad out on Craigslist. Sometimes local herpers breed their own feeders but don't ever advertise. They might be willing to sell to you if you put an ad out. Or you could find somebody to split the costs of shipping with at least.
Re: Considering switching to rats, but have a question!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
AK907
Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have personally seen a major difference in growth rates between mousers and rat eaters (both on a 10-15% body weight diet). Our rat eaters usually grow at a much quicker rate and have better overall body mass. Mousers we've had are usually slower growing and tend to be a lot lankier.
Couldn't just be from rats being bigger overall (i.e., feeding more food)?
Re: Considering switching to rats, but have a question!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sam Rickim
Couldn't just be from rats being bigger overall (i.e., feeding more food)?
Not really you could have a rat and a mouse the exact same weight BUT the nutritional value IS different.
For the sake of everybody :
Nutritional Value of Mice
Energy
-Dry Mass -Protein -Fat -Ash -kcal/g
Pinkies -19.1% -64.2% -17% - 9.7% -4.87
Young Mice -18.2% -44.2% -30.1% -8.5% -6.65
Adult Mice -32.7% -55.8% -23.6% -11.8% -5.25
Nutritional Value of Rats
Energy
-Dry Mass -Protein -Fat -Ash -kcal/g
Rat Pups -20.8% -57.9% -23.7% -12.2% -5.3
Young Rats -30% -56.1% -27.5% -14.8% -5.55
Adult Rats -33.9% -61.8% -32.6% -9.8% -6.37
Chart taken from : http://www.leedspetshops.co.uk/index...age=page&id=69