Mice and Racks

2x4 rack with kitty litter tubs and 1/4" hardware cloth.
There is your mouse rack.

Would it be better to breed mice or rats? I know people typically start them on mouse hoppers but would rat fuzzies work as well? I think I would prefer rats as I can feed extras to my BPs, instead of feeding them multiple mice. I'm just not sure how difficult it is to get them (Hatchlings) on rats from the start.

I know for Boas we don't feed them fuzzies to start because the belief is the fat content makes them hard to digest. I am not sure if that is the same for Balls. With boas as a Juvie if you feed a Rat there is more of a chance for regurgitation.

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Originally Posted by TopazEye

Would it be better to breed mice or rats? I know people typically start them on mouse hoppers but would rat fuzzies work as well? I think I would prefer rats as I can feed extras to my BPs, instead of feeding them multiple mice. I'm just not sure how difficult it is to get them (Hatchlings) on rats from the start.

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You will get better feeding response starting hatchlings on mice than rats, they are just more enticing and as a breeder you want to get them started ASAP. You success rate of hatchlings taking food first time offered will be higher.

I start everything on mice hoppers now and everything switches very easily to rats after the first 3 meals sometimes less.

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Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles

You will get better feeding response starting hatchlings on mice than rats, they are just more enticing and as a breeder you want to get them started ASAP. You success rate of hatchlings taking food first time offered will be higher.

I start everything on mice hoppers now and everything switches very easily to rats after the first 3 meals sometimes less.

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When you start them on rats are they live or F/T?

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Originally Posted by TopazEye

When you start them on rats are they live or F/T?

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Live transition should always be done one step at the time for higher chances of success so you either go from live mice to live rats to f/t rats or live mice to f/t mice to f/t rats.

In my experience #1 is easier.

What would be a good ratio to start with for mice? I'm thinking two tubs of 1:2? Or would one tub with 1:3 be better? And one thing I havent been able to find much information on is if the male should be taken out of the cage or not. I've read that male rats can stay in if they are not aggresive but I would assume that mice are diffrent.

Also, how long should hatchlings be in a 6qt rack?

I am wondering wether I should build a hatchling rack using this method https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...shelving-unit) using 28 qt tubs/ 6qt tubs but instead of doing lid-less just keep the lids on? Basically it would be a modified shelf with heat tape at that point. I think it would be cheaper to do this kind of combo rack rather than buying a commercial rack. I would probably do a 4 shelf adult rack this way as well.

One more question on here. Can mice be kept in concrete mixing tubs like the ones used in rat racks? I dont see why not, but I haven't been able to find any information on it.