Should I just give up?

I started breeding my rats in February. For a while everything was going fine except for a few females that didn't have that much luck with their litters. At this point though, the only thing breeding regularly and with any sort of success is my mice.

I have them on a dog food from Southern States and they are fed baby foods, fresh foods, and rodent lab block when I can get it. They are housed on wood pellet bedding and wood shavings (not sure what kind but it was marketed for small pets). I do not overcrowd and cages are cleaned on a regular basis and they always have access to clean food and water. The room fluctuates between high 70s and mid 80s, mostly being around 85.

Every single litter in the past 3 months has been a disaster. Eaten, dying, killed and left to rot, etc. Almost none survive. I was able to hold back 5 from one litter as future breeders (the litter was 14, only 5 survived) and Yoshi's litters have all died except for 3 babies that did survive to weaning. Yoshi was pulled from breeding but was pregnant. She just had her litter today and all the babies were left with their sacs still on their faces, their cords either not chewed off or chewed half-a**. I was able to clean up two and put them in with another female, but even her litter isn't looking good.

Its like these females just don't care. They stop feeding them and the babies starve, one by one. I was thinking of selling them as feeders and using the money to buy brand new adult females. Of course, I'm still going to try and breed the bad female's offspring just to see if they are any better (I doubt it) but I am just so frustrated.

Something is not right for them to act that way. First litters can sometimes go bad due to inexperienced mothers. Mothers will get rid of the young if they know that they will not thrive or if it will cause hardship for the mother. Some will just be not good mothers.
To me though it sounds like something is def not right. Something is wrong with their living arrangements, be it food, water or population.


How do you have them housed?
a. What type of home
b.What size home
c.How many living together
d.How many of what sex living together
How are they feed?
How are they watered?

If your husbandry and setup are good (offering maximum security) than the problems is with your rats, in this case you need to find some quality rats to help you build a colony.

A good colony takes time to build when you first get started, you need healthy stocks to start with and be very selective when holding back animals.

If you breed for food stay away from blue, blazed, mask as much as possible.

Also the food, Could be too low quality not giving the rats enough nutrients to want to breed and or nurse babies. There for once given birth are in complete stress end up eating the babies to recover nutrients.

Try switching to a rodent lab block for a few months as see how things change.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

If you breed for food stay away from blue, blazed, mask as much as possible.

---

Realy? Why whats wrong with them? We have always had them among our stock.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TessadasExotics

Realy? Why whats wrong with them? We have always had them among our stock.

---

Sometimes they do not breed well or at all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TessadasExotics

Realy? Why whats wrong with them? We have always had them among our stock.

---

I think it's because the snakes will become attracted to that particular color/scheme and may stop feeding on the albino's we normally use for feedings? Please correct me if I am wrong.

You need to switch your diet to a rodent diet like Mazuri or LabDiet, they have worked very well for me in the past and seem to aid in building a healthy colony.

From my readings in the past

Switch to a quality food like the Mazuri, and not the dog food

Try and get the temps down a bit as well, Ive seen 70-80 recommended

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 2kdime

From my readings in the past

Switch to a quality food like the Mazuri, and not the dog food

Try and get the temps down a bit as well, Ive seen 70-80 recommended

---

Yes temps play alot as well. My mice/rats are kept at 78-81 and do very well.

I had them on Mazuri but the only supply of it I can get is from a store that couldn't get it in for 5 weeks so I switched to the dog food. I want to switch back to the mazuri though. I'm just worried I won't have a steady supply. They kept telling me every week they'd have it in the following week. Took me over a month to get them to order it in. :(

The temps I cannot bring down. The AC just doesn't work as well up there. I've been watching the thermometer I have in there and for the past week its been hanging around 82 or so, dipping to high 70s at night.

I'm thinking of starting over with brand new rats and just selling all the ones I have, except for those I'm keeping as pets. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TessadasExotics

Realy? Why whats wrong with them? We have always had them among our stock.

---

blues are just generally weaker and prone to more ailments than other colored rats. High whites and blazes can be carriers of a disease called megacolon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by valleysnakeguy

I think it's because the snakes will become attracted to that particular color/scheme and may stop feeding on the albino's we normally use for feedings? Please correct me if I am wrong.

---

Because those colors have alot of Genetic problems. Megacolon, for example, and can be bad breeders.

I do not think snakes see in color as it is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TessadasExotics

Realy? Why whats wrong with them? We have always had them among our stock.

---

Blue in general make very poor breeder especially if your goal is to breed for food you will want to stay away from them.

Blaze, mask etc are more pron to megacolon which again not something you want in your colony or want to take a chance on, it does not mean all blaze rats have megacolon but since they are more pron to it I would not recommend those to start establishing a new colony.

Best thing is to stay with solid colors, and/or hooded rats.

you have two main problems:

you keep switching food

you are impatient.

Do a 1.3 and let them alone other than feeding and cleaning.

Interesting. We have never had a problem with blue or blazed rats. I do know that blue is not as good as normal colored animals. We own a blue doberman which has Color mutant alopecia, so we know all about that. We breed some blues as well as other fancies, so that we can also get rid of any extras easyer. We also feel that albinos are far less superior than normals.

You guys crack me up.

There is nothing wrong with blue rats.

My blue dumbos are awesome animals.

I have talked with my sister, and she is having the same issue. She feeds her rats Mazuri 6F (we are both going to the store to get some today) and fresh foods. She does not overcrowd and gives the females breaks inbetween litters. Even still, hers are on their 3rd and 4th litters and still, over half of the babies don't survive. We got our rats from the same places around town. So we are thinking of getting rid of the rats we know are not producing well and selling them off as feeders and getting new rats from a better source.

And as far as the blues go, ours do not produce well at all. Her blue berkshire, Blue, has had 2 litters and almost none of them have survived. I think maybe a few did, but I'm not sure. I know she was pretty upset about it. My blue hooded just had her 4th litter. Every single litter with her has been a disaster. Out of 4 litters (close to 60 babies) only 3 survived to weaning age. The rest were eaten, killed, died from not being fed, were fed off when they got so weak. I will not breed my blue hooded girl ever again. She will be kept as a pet. I'm going to try her daughter (a beige hooded dumbo) but we will see if this bad mothering instinct gets passed down.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by valleysnakeguy

I think it's because the snakes will become attracted to that particular color/scheme and may stop feeding on the albino's we normally use for feedings? Please correct me if I am wrong.

---

You're wrong. :)

A rat is a rat - my snakes could care less what color they are.

It's because blue's (in general) are HORRIBLE breeders, I tried working with them. The females will often die while in labor, or they'll just drop dead. They're very inbred because they are a desired coloration and pet store sell them for more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I'm going to try her daughter (a beige hooded dumbo) but we will see if this bad mothering instinct gets passed down.

---

I wouldn't if you have bad stock holding back their offsprings is not gonna solve your problems (see what I wrote about being selective when holding back offsprings)

Holdback offsprings from females

with good temperment

that are good nurturing mother

that have a good production

Start from scratch and get your stock from somewhere else, preferably a local breeder that has a well established colony if you can do that.

I have a few dozen blue females (het dumbo) that will be popping out blue dumbos for me pretty soon.

Blue is just the color. The gene associated with color has NOTHING to do with reproductive capacity.

Blue rats, if bred appropriately, have no more problems than any other colors.

By this time next year my entire colony will be blue dumbos.

I don't anticipate ANY problems.

When you breed a bad rat to a bad rat (no matter what color) you will have problems. When you breed a good rat to a good rat you get good babies.

I've been breeding rats for some years now. I've only come across this sort of problem about 3 times due to the mother rat being a horrible breeder and mother all around or she was just a nutcase to begin with. Those rats do not late long with me since I will not have "bad blood" in my rat colony. I do 1.3 and rotate the females to give them time off. I also feed Harlan Tek lab blocked that are the 18%. All of my rats are handled from when they are babies and I make it a must to have every one of those rats respect. Nothing worse then having a mother rat chomp down on you when you are trying to spot clean her cage. Also I do switch blood lines up about every 6-8 months I'll add in another male or a few females and retire some of my old breeders. I too try not to inbred them since that only causes issues down the road.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomfromtheshade

I have a few dozen blue females (het dumbo) that will be popping out blue dumbos for me pretty soon.

Blue is just the color. The gene associated with color has NOTHING to do with reproductive capacity.

Blue rats, if bred appropriately, have no more problems than any other colors.

By this time next year my entire colony will be blue dumbos.

I don't anticipate ANY problems.

When you breed a bad rat to a bad rat (no matter what color) you will have problems. When you breed a good rat to a good rat you get good babies.

---

I could not say it any better!!! I have all colors, hairless, rex's, dumbo's, etc All of them are great. Those who say hairless mom's don't produce milk or good babies are very wrong. A few of my best mothers who the biggest and best litters are hairless. Also I have some blue's who are about the same. A color is just a color. Inbreeding though will cause problems.

Thank you all for your help in this. I'm going to keep the blue and her beige hood daughter as pets and the rest of the rats will be sold off soon. What really sucks is a little while ago, a agouti berk female popped out this gorgeous silvery looking male. We still have no clue as to what color he was. And what do you know, her last 2 remaining babies out of this litter ( the rest all died because she stopped feeding them) are an albino and ANOTHER SILVERY MALE! I'm half tempted to try and raise him myself. Just to keep as a pet. He won't make it till tomorrow like this. Its so sad to see them starve to death.

So soon I'll be on the hunt for more rats. I'm going to go ahead and put up an ad looking for good rats.

I didnt know weather could effect them unless you were in the low 50's. But I guess we can all agree, no one like's to DO IT in the cold. Really petsmart rats are not bad. I have blues and all never had a problem. Mom dumbo rex just weaned her first litter from a hairless reg eared male. The babys amazing. But dont give up at all man. I noticed that the rats that look like they belong at a new york subway or something are really some good breeders.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boa5

I didnt know weather could effect them unless you were in the low 50's. But I guess we can all agree, no one like's to DO IT in the cold. Really petsmart rats are not bad. I have blues and all never had a problem. Mom dumbo rex just weaned her first litter from a hairless reg eared male. The babys amazing. But dont give up at all man. I noticed that the rats that look like they belong at a new york subway or something are really some good breeders.

---

rats are fine in the cold unless their water freezes.

Its is all in setup.

People make it too complex with their rotations and multiple racks

Mostly they cause their own headaches by stressing their animals too much.

Get them to live and breed THEN start with fancy ideas to tweak it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Sometimes they do not breed well or at all.

---

never had this problem ..... ever

it also would have to be something with your setup with that many failures. unless i missed it, you never answered the questions asked in the first several posts?

How do you have them housed?
Some are housed in a rack and some in tanks. The only ones breeding are housed in the rack, 1.1 per tub. I did at one time have 2 females in one tub but they argued over the babies so badly, I had to separate one into a tank. All of the other rats are growing up to be breeders and they are housed in tanks.

a. What type of home
Rack or tanks. Wood pellet bedding with a layer of aspen for comfort.

b.What size home
Rack has large Van Ness litter pans and the tanks are either 10g or 20g long tanks. No more than 2 rats per 10g tank and the tanks are cleaned every few days.

c.How many living together
No more than 2 per enclosure. Though currently, due to money issues I was not able to make another enclosure so I have 5 females in a 20g long. These are still smaller rats and are not breeding. I clean that cage once every few days to keep the ammonia down and keep the rats clean.


d.How many of what sex living together
1.1 or 0.2 normally. though I do have a 0.5 right now in a 20 long tank due to not having their separate enclosures made yet.


How are they feed?

Southern States brand dog food with fresh foods such as pasta, oatmeal, fruits, and veggies provided every day.

How are they watered?
16oz water bottles. They are dumped out and refilled once daily.

Not sure how your having such a hard time. I bred a bunch a few times when feeders were getting scarce by me but not once did I run into a problem like this. Not saying its anything you did, but you should correct everything that you can to ensure its not you.

Step one: Make a rack that can accommodate the biggest mason tubs you can find at home depot/lowes. Not sure of the dimensions just make sure its the size up from the normal ones, and there are lot of DIY's out there. I really don't like the litter pans, the big mason tubs are nice and provide ample running room, as well as standing room.

Step two: Provide best possible food available. I only use dog food with mice doesn't seem to effect them at all so I continue to use this. Although when they are nursing I provide lab blocks for additional nourishment.

Step 3: I would try to keep the temps at more in the mid 70's. I never go above this because I notice they tend to get lazy at high temps and lay around rather then what there good at...multiplying!

Like I said, I have never had any issues breeding rats once. Never went anywhere and got "special" rats that are good breeders. Simply go to petco and buy the smallest rats you can find, raise them on good food and keep them stress free and all you gotta do is add a male, thats it. I also believe providing the proper amount of running space is important for their psychological development as well as breeding instinct. All of which I said I think impact their production A LOT. I've have definitely have lost some babies(2 from a littler sometimes none), but thats normal. Half? I would say thats peculiar. I think why yours are dying are because of their food supply, and maybe bad mothers taking care of the litter. I would really try to locate a good food supply, turn the temps down a bit, and again more room for them once their in 1:3. Have you tried farm food supply? I thought there wasn't any near me but one day I called around to all the local farm feed stores and I found one 10 min away lol. Keep looking, and good luck with everything!

ALSO!!

Three females to one male has never done me wrong, and whenever I do this I end up with A LOT of babies really fast.

PS: Rats NEVER get dog food, just something I always stuck by and has always worked.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

PS: Rats NEVER get dog food, just something I always stuck by and has always worked.

---

certain dog foods work fine.

Sure you could, but I won't :)

I was about to make the same exact post as the author of this one did. Ive been breeding rats for a while, and these last 8-10 litters is just making me want to pull my hair out. My temps range between 78-84, I feed my rats Dog Food as well (23% Protein), and when a female gives birth, I use scrambled eggs to help with their protein intake. I also use fresh fruits/veggies. I have mine housed in a rat rack made from Mason Tubs bought from Home Depot, and have plumbing system vice water bottles. I have no idea what Im doing wrong, but its getting really annoying.

Any advice? Anyone? Please help me. =(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chuckels

I was about to make the same exact post as the author of this one did. Ive been breeding rats for a while, and these last 8-10 litters is just making me want to pull my hair out. My temps range between 78-84, I feed my rats Dog Food as well (23% Protein), and when a female gives birth, I use scrambled eggs to help with their protein intake. I also use fresh fruits/veggies. I have mine housed in a rat rack made from Mason Tubs bought from Home Depot, and have plumbing system vice water bottles. I have no idea what Im doing wrong, but its getting really annoying.

Any advice? Anyone? Please help me. =(

---

sounds like you are over loading them with fat and protein for starters

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chuckels

I was about to make the same exact post as the author of this one did. Ive been breeding rats for a while, and these last 8-10 litters is just making me want to pull my hair out. My temps range between 78-84, I feed my rats Dog Food as well (23% Protein), and when a female gives birth, I use scrambled eggs to help with their protein intake. I also use fresh fruits/veggies. I have mine housed in a rat rack made from Mason Tubs bought from Home Depot, and have plumbing system vice water bottles. I have no idea what Im doing wrong, but its getting really annoying.

Any advice? Anyone? Please help me. =(

---

Yet another post of someone having issues...and what a coincidence your using dog food...

I really don't care for dog food as a staple food source. I see a lot of people on here stating this problem and they always are using dog food...I don't think its a coincidence. Some people have great luck with it, most don't. I think maybe its ok if they are not breeding, but for some reason nursing mothers don't do well with it when they have kits. I don't breed rats regularly but whenever I do I have great success and barely lose any babies,( some but nothing out of the ordinary) and they always produce fast. Whenever I bred rats I don't let the room go above 80(average temp of 78), keep them in nothing smaller then large mason tubs, and nothing else by mazuri 6f. Whatever is in this stuff works! I have pet rats still and feed them nothing but this and they are as healthy as can be. When I was breeding females didn't seem to have problems keeping them alive. Biggest problem I ran into was them fighting over the litters. Breeding rats shouldn't be THAT hard and if your having a hard time then your doing something wrong.

I have a hard time getting any Mazuri 6F around here unless I spend a lot of money to have it shipped to my door. The pet store that has been ordering it in for me is just pissing me off. First, they took a long time to get the first bag in and thankfully gave me a discount on it since I waited so long. Then they ordered the 2nd bag in too early and when I explained I didn't need it that soon after just getting the first bag, they sold it to my sister. I had told them when I'd need the next bag and when I called to ask if it was in, they said they had not ordered it yet. It took 5 weeks! So I had to switch to dog food as an emergency food. It was either that or spend boat loads of cash on small 2lb bags of Mazuri from work.

I C02ed some of my rats (3 of them) and I'm going to be calling the pet store that was supposed to order in my Mazuri (the finally got it in and I told them I was having issues with my paychecks and as soon as I got it sorted out, I'd come by and get it, but they sold it to someone else, so now I have to order another bag!)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I have a hard time getting any Mazuri 6F around here unless I spend a lot of money to have it shipped to my door. The pet store that has been ordering it in for me is just pissing me off. First, they took a long time to get the first bag in and thankfully gave me a discount on it since I waited so long. Then they ordered the 2nd bag in too early and when I explained I didn't need it that soon after just getting the first bag, they sold it to my sister. I had told them when I'd need the next bag and when I called to ask if it was in, they said they had not ordered it yet. It took 5 weeks! So I had to switch to dog food as an emergency food. It was either that or spend boat loads of cash on small 2lb bags of Mazuri from work.

I C02ed some of my rats (3 of them) and I'm going to be calling the pet store that was supposed to order in my Mazuri (the finally got it in and I told them I was having issues with my paychecks and as soon as I got it sorted out, I'd come by and get it, but they sold it to someone else, so now I have to order another bag!)

---

Jeez!! What a run around!!

Where do live?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

Yet another post of someone having issues...and what a coincidence your using dog food...

I really don't care for dog food as a staple food source. I see a lot of people on here stating this problem and they always are using dog food...I don't think its a coincidence. Some people have great luck with it, most don't. I think maybe its ok if they are not breeding, but for some reason nursing mothers don't do well with it when they have kits. I don't breed rats regularly but whenever I do I have great success and barely lose any babies,( some but nothing out of the ordinary) and they always produce fast. Whenever I bred rats I don't let the room go above 80(average temp of 78), keep them in nothing smaller then large mason tubs, and nothing else by mazuri 6f. Whatever is in this stuff works! I have pet rats still and feed them nothing but this and they are as healthy as can be. When I was breeding females didn't seem to have problems keeping them alive. Biggest problem I ran into was them fighting over the litters. Breeding rats shouldn't be THAT hard and if your having a hard time then your doing something wrong.

---

I have never had issues before using dog food. I'm pretty positive its my rats. Im getting rid of my current stock and starting fresh. I also bought a bag of Mazuri 6F (50lb) to see how it works. If it works like you say then thanks for the tip, if not, thanks for the constructive criticism.

Trey

I use kent and mazuri 9F or 6F which ever i decide to grab at farm store.

I live in Richmond, Va. I order my Mazuri through Fin and Feather (they are the only place I have found that can order in the 50lb bags)

According to Mazuri's dealer locator there are two places you can go and one is 10 miles away. Sounds like your in business!

https://www.mazuri.com/Home.asp?Products=2&Opening=4

I use Mazuri 6F rodent breeder formula.:gj:
My hooded average 12 a litter, 24 breeding females,:banana:
my asf's average 17 a litter, 120 breeding females.:rolleye2:
wont use anything else.:colbert:

Sorry to hear you're having so much trouble. My wife and I have been breeding rats on and off for a few years, though in the past year with our snake collection growing we're breeding a lot more. I have three racks comprising 6 breeding tubs with a 1.4 ratio, and 20 birthing large tubs (MacCourt 26x26x6's). This results in mostly 1:1 female/litter to a tub, but a few veteran & new mom's double up.

They're housed on pine pellet bedding covered in aspen shavings; this really keeps the ammonia down because the pellets absorb urine and the shaved aspen is nice bedding to nest in. I currently feed Rat Diet (Lab Diet) 5012 but I'm considering Mazuri 6F as a replacement due to the high protein content and some skin problems I see pop up with the 5012 necessitating the addition of fats to their diet. They also get (and adore) dandelion greens from our yard and any of our organic kitchen scraps; egg shells, watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, greens, etc.

Some of the new mothers have no concept of being a mom. I like to keep a veteran mom in with new ones, because the veteran will adopt an abandoned litter frequently, and the new mom gets a lesson in nursing. Additionally, they tend to communally pile babies and one mother will nurse giving the other a break. Maybe a silly notion, but it makes me feel better about them!

The pine pellets work so well, that we rarely have to change litter more than once a week. Sometimes at 5-6 days, but rarely.

I don't know what exactly it is we're doing right but we've had very low pinkie losses. We produced 12/12 litters during January, when temperatures outside were -30F, in the semi-insulated garage, around 34F. +1 to the person who previously said; rats do well in cold temperature, you just need to keep their water system flowing.

PS - I have a blue rat, veteran mom. Hasn't lost a single baby in all four of her litters. She, and all of her offspring are the most docile, friendly rats we own. Just my two cents. :)

Well just as an update. I have not been breeding the rats due to trying to get the mites under control. I have checked with the store that orders my Mazuri in and they said they are closing down. So now I'm on the hunt for someone who can order Mazuri in. I checked the Tractor Supply store in my area and while Mazuri's site lists them as someone who carries it, the guy there said he couldn't find it, nor could he find it in the system. He did offer to email his Purina rep and see if its something they have to special order and he'll give me a call back (very helpful guy) as soon as he hears something back, probably by Monday.

So, if this store doesn't carry it, I'll have to find some sort of alternative. I know the reptile show has people who carry rat feed there, and while its not Mazuri (I recall it being Harland Tekland or something like that) its better than dog food. I might pick up a bag while I'm at the show.

As soon as the mites are taken care of, I'm going to try out the females I've been raising up. All of them are ready to breed, so its just a matter of putting a boy in with them. I'm also going to be making new enclosures so I can stop using glass tanks. I hate glass tanks.

Are you using pyrethrin spray to rid your house of mites?

i had a nasty outbreak of tropical rodent mites and that spray was invaluable in getting rid of those lil bitting ******. :P

Harland is def better than most dog food, lol, but if you do have to go to dog food make sure to get food with no dyes added.
I have bought basic no name blue bag dog food from IGA stores and it works, but man the poo stinks and they get diarrhea when you switch them, much like a dog when you switch their food.

Jay, if you have mites, you've got to seriously consider stopping breeding and starting over from scratch.

And yes, the blues most people refer to as being weak or ill lines are the English blues. Russian blues seem to have no problems, at least from the lines I have been working with.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomfromtheshade

I have a few dozen blue females (het dumbo) that will be popping out blue dumbos for me pretty soon.

Blue is just the color. The gene associated with color has NOTHING to do with reproductive capacity.

Blue rats, if bred appropriately, have no more problems than any other colors.

By this time next year my entire colony will be blue dumbos.

I don't anticipate ANY problems.

When you breed a bad rat to a bad rat (no matter what color) you will have problems. When you breed a good rat to a good rat you get good babies.

---

And no, it's not JUST a color, there is more to the colors in rodents and mammals than just a paint job. Take a look at high white animals, horses, dogs, cats. Often they are deaf (along with more serious diseases), this is due to several factors, one that contributes highly to delay in the migration of the cells that create pigment to the entire body.

Secondly, blame the rodent fancy/pet trade for the English blue problems. Eng. Blues were severely inbred to the point where hemorrhaging and other fatal diseases were rampant. We can still see much of this today, luckily, the Eng blue gene is recessive, and can be worked away from by careful out breeding. I personally have only seen trouble with the English blue color. Russian blues, not a problem! (And yes, they are very different colors, created by two very different genes)

Claiming that color has no other effect than to change the fur color is not correct. I'll step off my soap box now.

I've bred blue dumbos for some time now, American and Russian with no health issues period.
Good quality genetics makes for good quality babies.
Out-breeding now and then with more good quality genetics is important with any rat colony

How long should I wait after treating them with flea and mite spray to CO2 them and use them as feeders? I treated them about a week ago. I'm going to go ahead and start over. I just need to CO2 my colony, clean and sanitize all of the enclosures, make new ones, and get everything ready for new rats.

I got some Harlan Tekland food. 66lbs worth for $40. Thanks for all your help everyone! Starting over will give me a chance to start with good healthy stock.

I want to CO2 them as soon as possible so how long do I have to wait after putting the flea spray on them before CO2ing them? They will be intended as feeders.

Good question, I've never fed off rats after flea treatments :confused: