Random Rat Deaths??

I've had 2 sm. rats die within the past month or so from unknown reasons. I have around 30 rats that I keep on pine in my basement which stays around 75*F. I'm starting to think it's the pine bedding. I've been using the same brand of pine since I started about 6 months ago. Both of the rats that died, were born here, and I have some of their siblings.

Every rat site that I've visited says Pine is dangerous towards rats...But I don't get how people like Ralph Davis and many people here use Pine and have great production.

I'm thinking about switching completely to Aspen or Equine Fresh

Any opinions/suggestions are appreciated

I'm completely against the use of pine shavings. Pine pellets are what I use since the harmful phenols and caustic chemicals are baked out. They hardly smell like pine at all. Nursing females get half aspen to nest in.

I'd just keep an eye on those deaths, I haven't lost any rats from unknown reasons beyond the pinkie stage, and I had some crappy rats to start with.

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Originally Posted by ShawnT

I've had 2 sm. rats die within the past month or so from unknown reasons. I have around 30 rats that I keep on pine in my basement which stays around 75*F. I'm starting to think it's the pine bedding. I've been using the same brand of pine since I started about 6 months ago. Both of the rats that died, were born here, and I have some of their siblings.

Every rat site that I've visited says Pine is dangerous towards rats...But I don't get how people like Ralph Davis and many people here use Pine and have great production.

I'm thinking about switching completely to Aspen or Equine Fresh

Any opinions/suggestions are appreciated

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is your basement finished or unfinished ?

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Originally Posted by mikeamy2007

is your basement finished or unfinished ?

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unfinished

If you're going to use pine try to make sure it's a very low dust pine.

These rats were born at your home but were the parent stock from pet stores? Pet store rats tend to be very inbred or indiscriminately bred so you'll get more sudden deaths until you widen up that genetic pool a bit. I used to have rats drop for no reason quite a bit when we first started out but it's a rare occurrence now. Still happens here or there but not like it used to back when we were working with a lot of pet store purchased rats and their offspring.

Yes, the parents were from my local pet shop....So do you suggest picking a new pet shop and grabbing a few mediums or getting some at the new Reptile show to add some new blood in?