Rat food prices

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

So does it make a big difference for breeders?

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Too high of protein is detrimental to rats. 6f is more of a maintanence diet, while 9f is for actively breeding animals. (though my rats did perfectly well on 6f raising and breeding)

I switched my foods recently. I feed 18% to my nursing and recovering females, 16% to animals in breeder tubs. Just my preference.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Too high of protein is detrimental to rats. 6f is more of a maintanence diet, while 9f is for actively breeding animals. (though my rats did perfectly well on 6f raising and breeding)

I switched my foods recently. I feed 18% to my nursing and recovering females, 16% to animals in breeder tubs. Just my preference.

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Not according to Mazuri. They say 6F is designed for feeding rats and mice maintained in a breeding colony and intended for use as food for other species (reptiles).

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Not according to Mazuri. They say 6F is designed for feeding rats and mice maintained in a breeding colony and intended for use as food for other species (reptiles).

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Could be, been a while since I've read the labels. Like I said, I raised all my animals on 6F, they did very well on it.

However now, I've just started offering 18% to the nursing girls, I would like to see if it affects how quickly they maintain and gain weight after a litter.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Could be, been a while since I've read the labels. Like I said, I raised all my animals on 6F, they did very well on it.

However now, I've just started offereing 18% to the nursing girls, I would like to see if it affects how quickly they maintain and gain weight after a litter.

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Let us know how it goes. I just wanted to clear up so people who are feeding 6F wouldn't be concerned that it isn't right. I just switched to 6F when I found the new feed store that gets me my Mazuri for half the price of the old place. The old place was selling me 5663 which I believe is a lesser quality but I don't know. 23% protein.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Let us know how it goes. I just wanted to clear up so people who are feeding 6F wouldn't be concerned that it isn't right. I just switched to 6F when I found the new feed store that gets me my Mazuri for half the price of the old place. The old place was selling me 5663 which I believe is a lesser quality but I don't know. 23% protein.

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No problemo ;). I would like to see a difference with the 18%, although I'm being slow with writing things down. I'm feeding them Harlan 2018 during nursing and afterwards to cut down on how much time I leave them to regain weight after a litter.

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Originally Posted by cassandra

I'm paying 26ish (I can't remember exactly) for 50lbs of Mazuri 6F...but the same feed store carries ginormous bags of pine shavings (Drynest 4cf) for 8 bucks...and it's not too far a detour on my commute to work, so doubleplus good gas savings...

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By the way, I was overestimating. I paying $23.50 for 50lbs.

I'm paying $18 for a 40lb bag of Sand Valley rodent food. I use to pay $11 for it 6 months ago. Crazy!

I use pig food from Southern States. A 50 lb bags runs 12.45 a bag.

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Originally Posted by dadspets

I use pig food from Southern States. A 50 lb bags runs 12.45 a bag.

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I also use this. Seems to work for several people I know

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Originally Posted by dadspets

I use pig food from Southern States. A 50 lb bags runs 12.45 a bag.

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What brand do you use? I was interested in doing this but I read some flack about it. On the other hand, I am always open to experimentation. What's the protein content of the stuff you use?