Question of morals...

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Originally Posted by Pork Chops N' Corn Bread

Since I think of almost all of my rats as producers and nothing more, anyone that doesn't help with production is usually retired. Keeping multiple retired breeders around serves no purpose to me

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I believe that my breeders do a lot for me and my snakes. Keeping them around after retired doesn't put a huge strain on my resources. The purpose it serves for me is respect.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I believe that my breeders do a lot for me and my snakes. Keeping them around after retired doesn't put a huge strain on my resources. The purpose it serves for me is respect.

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To each their own, neither way is wrong

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Originally Posted by Pork Chops N' Corn Bread

To each their own, neither way is wrong

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Nobody said either way was wrong. I gave my opinion.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I believe that my breeders do a lot for me and my snakes. Keeping them around after retired doesn't put a huge strain on my resources. The purpose it serves for me is respect.

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i feel the same way--kinda like, look at all the work they did making feeders and more breeders for me... i guess i feel like i owe them a nice life in retirement after all that. that and i just like them. :)

Retirement here if I did that would consist of no handling at all except for picking them out when i clean the tubs.

Well for me "retiring" doesn't mean feeding off....feeding off is feeding off. I think each person responsible for living creatures must make the decision that sits right with them. For me it's pretty rare to feed off an older rat that did a great job for me and has been basically hand tamed (and named) over the time it spent in our colony. That works for me, doesn't mean it's the right way or the only way...just my way. :)

what i've done is this:

i have two females who aren't the birthing very large litters... so i've paired them up with a female who births huge litters... this way, the two of them can care for the small and large litter together. i find the 'not-so-good' mothers are better when they are housed with a GREAT mother.

for me it's all about respect as well. they've given my snakes such a healthy food source that i can only thank them by spoiling them with good food and good friends until they die of old age. :hug:

Lol looks at the rats we keep figuring the money they have saved us over the last couple of years I don't mind keeping a few extra's around unless they bite me lol yes even rats tend to bite me thats forgiven if there good breeders if not well I don't mind feeding them off at all.

My youngest son, who is in charge of rat production (and apparently channeling St. Francis), has already designated a "retirement" section of the rack that we just built. We have just started, and everyone is still pretty young, but we discussed the issue, and he is firm. So, as it was spoken, so shall it be written, and as it is written, so shall it be.

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Originally Posted by McAdry

Lol looks at the rats we keep figuring the money they have saved us over the last couple of years I don't mind keeping a few extra's around unless they bite me lol yes even rats tend to bite me thats forgiven if there good breeders if not well I don't mind feeding them off at all.

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i'm with you on the biting--a bite from momma because i was messing with her babies or doing something that otherwise made her feel threatened is fine, i can understand that. but a nasty mom who chomps me hard at every opportunity starting about a week before she gives birth until every last baby is weaned (or fed off) and moved from her cage--sorry, but i just can't have that.