Considering Breeding Rats Again

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Originally Posted by Marrissa

Too add to what Satomi said, if you're breeding on a small scale that 50 pound bag lasts a long time. I put mine in big baggies in the freezer. I don't think I'm finishing that bag off for a long time. Some people say their rat mommas look very skinny while their nursing when they use dog food. My mommas still look nice and healthy. Gotta give them the proper nutrition to make good babies for your snakes. Even if they're feeders or feeder breeders, nutrition is still important. I find that will all pets, it's a big upfront cost and then a small (ok horse's aren't a small cost) maintenance cost from then on. Buy/make the tubs, buy a bag of food, water bottles, and a large bag of bedding and you'll be good for a while.

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My feeders were never thin when on dog food. The babies were always fat and full of milk. I went through a 40lb bag that I paid $8.50 for about once a month-month and half. When I had 35 rats.

I get my Mazuri at the reptile show for $25 for a 50 pound bag. You get what you pay for... healthier feeders... healthier snake. Plain and simple. And just because they're food doesn't mean they deserve less than any other animals you own.

I never met they deserved less. I just know what is reasonable in my case. I can't treat rats to the best possible stuff out there. I get them the best that I can. And I've never had health problems. With my feeders or snakes.


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Just as not everybody can afford to feed their dogs blue buffalo


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No need to be defensive. You asked how to minimize the smell, and people are telling you exactly how you can do that. You don't necessarily have to feed Mazuri - there are plenty of rat feeds out there. Got a feed store nearby? Go talk to them and see what they can order in for you. It doesn't have to be expensive, either. My rat feed is $15 a bag. Granted, I live a couple miles from the mill, but I'm just pointing out that if one is motivated and puts in the effort, deals can be found.

If you can find any way to keep them in the basement, do. A few rats out in your shed are probably going to freeze to death in the winter unless you add supplemental heat, or die of heat issues in the summer unless you add some air conditioning. Uninsulated sheds are mighty unreliable when it comes to holding temperatures. Rats are most comfortable at temperatures we're comfortable at, and anything outside those temps - summer, winter, etc - is going to slow or halt your production.

Best advice you can get is to feed them good food, don't overcrowd them, clean cages often, and add a dehumidifier to the space they're kept in to minimize ammonia. For one snake, you really don't need more than 3 rats. One male, two females.

Google "DIY Carbon Scrubber" that will take care of the smell...

I use Kent's rodent chow. $17/ 50#. It lasts me a very long time. I also use equine pellatized bedding and have minimal odor. My rats are currently housed in my sons Bedroom. Will eventually be in their own building outside


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