pet store mice

Now that Baby is eating regularly...or almost regularly, I'm paying $1.29 ea. for two adult mice every 7-10 days..but spending about $4 in the gas to drive to the feed store. I'm looking to eventually change her to either F/T, or breeding my own rat pups. Because I tried juvie rats too many times, we now have a Scabbers rat pet, and a Peekaboo rat pet. Soon, I'm hoping Peek will be big enough to breed, and I can raise Baby food in-house.

The only kicker is having to buy the tub, CO & tubing in order to gas them. I wouldn't be able to whack 'em worth beans if I go F/T. But first things, I have to get a good diet established.

I've changed the bedding to the Aspen for the rats, and tried to get away from the special "rat" food from the pet store, but Scabbers is getting a rough coat and the scabs again.....seems I've heard here it's from too much protein. When I took him to the vet, he said fresh fruits & veggies...no commercial feed, but in moving, I don't have the fresh stuff right now. I've started them on the rodent blocks of feed and hoping that will help cut down on the sore spots he's got. I also read here about the bread soaked in oil to help their coats, so I'm going to start doing that too.

Whooops! Think I'll end now. :oops: < But any feed ideas would be appreciated! >

BTW: I kept some of the mice when Baby first wouldn't eat, and they stunk (stank??) to high heaven :mad: in just a couple of days, but the rat tanks don't start to have any odor until about 7-10 days. So RATS, definitely!

In a recent forum here, I was trying to remember that protein rash name...Scabs. Thank You.

:confused: I really don't think that is what it is, it's just what our male rat has.....Hmmm DD is a HUGE fan of Harry P, so of course when instead of Baby food he became a pet, he got named Scabbers Rat.

Any one else have any additional ideas of what might help me improve his coat and get rid of the small sores/scabs all over?? I haven't seen/found fleas :worry: but he had gotten rid of the sore spots for a while, now their baaaaaaack. PPTHTHTHTHT :P

Thanks!

RuLyn

It is an overload of protein. Get a vitamin supplement for his water and cut down on any food that has extra protein in it.

I feed mine one scoop of high quality dog food (Nutro brand Lite variets is great.. only 14% protein vs 22% in most dog foods) and one scoop of cereal mix.. the mix contains:

puffed rice/wheat
cheerios
raw oats
tri color pasta

No scabbies.. you may want to check real closely for lice though, they're quite a bit smaller than fleas. If you find any, you can buy a mite/louse spray meant for birds to use.

My 2 snakes refuse to eat thawed mice, I tried and tired. As soon as they see a live one coming they start slithering around like crazy. I just decided to feed live. One thing I do is I never put a live one straight in, unless I put the mice in a bag and give him a few circles to make him dizzy. That way when I put him in he is dazed and by then its too late.

I hate to start another debate, but, what exactly was your answer for why you would switch a snake already on FT to live? Silly if you ask my opinion (or even if you don't). What is the upside?