Breeder rat food questions

Hello everyone. i am new here but have been doing some reading here and at other boards. I just saw beck's feed reciepe. I have questions about it and otehr feeds.

Ok.
1) i thought you wanted a food with a protein content higher tan 20% if you are breeding... I am using a dog food that is 23 % is that bad?

2) How are you all feeding beck's reciepe to your rats. I hate putting food directly in the cage as they just mess it up or throw shavings oin it. I place the dog food on the top of the wire cage?? How do you all feed her reciepe with out wasting it.


Thanks for your help

Chris

Hi.. protein levels much higher than 20% cause them to become scabby. The diets that they use in the laboratories which are ideal are 18% protein for breeding. Stick with the high quality dog foods that are 20% protein or lower if possible. I've used a recipe similar to Becky's for a long time and it works wonderfully.

I use lab style cages which have a food hopper built into the wire lid so that the food does not touch the bedding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

I use lab style cages which have a food hopper built into the wire lid so that the food does not touch the bedding.

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Thank you very much for your fast reply. I am feeding dog food that cost 40 bucks for 50 pounds.. but i guess the protein content is too high as it is 24%..

About the built in feeders you have.. Can you take a picture of them so i can make some. If its not too much trouble...

thanks for your help
Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Hi.. protein levels much higher than 20% cause them to become scabby. The diets that they use in the laboratories which are ideal are 18% protein for breeding. Stick with the high quality dog foods that are 20% protein or lower if possible. I've used a recipe similar to Becky's for a long time and it works wonderfully.

I use lab style cages which have a food hopper built into the wire lid so that the food does not touch the bedding.

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The food hopper prevents oats and split peas and lentils, etc small parts of the food from falling through?

Nah that stuff falls through, but the rats eat it up like candy so I just put a fresh scoop in every day or so.

As for dog food, look for varieties that say 'lite' or 'senior'. these often have lower protein levels. I know Nutro Lite has 15% protein.

I use these cages http://www.bigappleherp.com/bigapple...roducts/110100

Check with the local feed store. You can find most can get rodent food. I use Flint River Mills 10 bucks for 50 pounds. And Mazuri is like 17 for 50 lbs. Much cheaper than the dog food your are using. Todd

How long does it take for rat pink to grow to small rat status? Also how long will they take to get to be a pup? I'm thinking about breeding rat's.I am currently feeding 3 small rat's , a rat pup and a rat pinkie.Would I be alright with a pair of rat's or would I need two. Shelby need your help info.

emilio - your questions are already answered in our new FAQs found at the top of the feeder forums.

A pair of rats would give you on average 10-15 babies each month if the male and female are kept together all the time.

Thanx didn't notice that.

Thanks for the great replies and the picture. I am going to build some feeders into my bins that look like that. I guess i will just use some 1/2" wire and take out some of the cross sections and make that V section..


I am going to make that reciepe that is posted here. Its nice to know that my food bill for these guys will go down.

Again thank you for your help