hog feed assessment

So i have been using hog feed for maybe 5-6 months now.I have regular rats and also asf rats. I pick it up from TSC, the name on the bag is producers pride. 15% min protein.
So far it has been ok. Good things are that its cheaper, easier for the little guys to eat it, easy to get. Bad things, They go through a lot of it in a little amount of time, asfs dust it no matter the amount i give them. Need to build a hopper (helps to save food, or at least i've noticed it does). Its burning out my breeders, I've been observing low litter sizes from 7 month old rats. My average was around 13-14 not its about 6-7 with maybe half being eaten. Ive lost a couple breeders that have been eaten.

Emailed the guy who i bought my original rats from and he has had the same exact experience. He orders rodent block in bulk now though.

Im going back to paying the couple extra bucks for rodent diet. Not impressed at all with the hog feed at all. Im probably going to start over with new breeders slowly swapping the current ones for fresh ones raised on block food.

I will update with what i observe. Just thought i would share this with anyone with the same problem or thinking of switching to hog feed.:)

make an insert tray out of 1/8" for the hog feed....use a 1:1 diet of hog feed and rodent block. It will cut your food costs.

problem with most hog feeds are low fat content...

females need the fat when they are pregnant.

are there any problems using the 1/8 with the domestic rats?
I've got 1/4 hoppers right now. When i switched over to the hog feed i mixed the blocks in with the hog feed and they never really touched the blocks.
I might give your way a try again. Not sure at this point though, I do like the ease of just dumping the blocks right on top without having to go into the tubs and pour the food in the hoppers.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

just make a little insert that goes on top of your existing 1/4" out of 1/8"...

They will get it.

yes mine seem to be attracted to hog feed more than 6f also.

BUT....my experience with various feeds...(sand valley and zeigler) resulted in the same as your with solely hog feed.

6f has produced so well for me, i won't dream of walking completely away from it.

My rats also get any table scraps that are edible...not much goes to waste here anymore...

if the rats won't eat it..then the meal worms will...:D

im not sure on how i would make an insert to work with what i have right now
this is what i have for a hopper right now
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/o...9/DSC01603.jpg
the back part thats against the tub is open. The mesh is just bent around to make an inch tab in the back on each side

Im going be using kent 19% rodent diet again. Maybe try mixing it with hog feed though. My rats dont get much table scraps. If they make it past me my dogs get it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Picture011.jpg

when you fill them they lay flat.

oooh ok, gotcha. Thats not a bad idea, ill have to give it a shot. Thats 1/8 you said? in the pic it kinda looks like 1/4. Thank you for the help!

yep sorry 1/4"

I have been using hog feed maybe same amount now as well, I feed blue seal pig and sow grower i beleive it is and doggie bag dog food-as was said the hog feed lowere in fat. Pretty much all of mine have been doing great. I did lose a couple s but the rest have been fine so may be unrelated. My litter numbers still about same. I did lose 3 pregnant hairless though and was a bit concerned about that but not sure if pregnancy related or food relate-it was there first litters and I obtained them as s so didnt know there history. They definitely go through the hog feed quick though. I just couldnt afford to feed mazuri anymore-can get 100# of food now less than 50# of mazuri was

Ive switched back to the lab block alone and it takes them a lot longer to get through the same amount of food. I was filling those hoppers twice a week, Just to copare i would fill that hopper up then dump it onto the top. I now fill it once every 5-6 days. The asfs don't dust as much food because they have to work to get a chunk small enough to get down into the tub. They do shred the crap out of the bedding now though.

I'm going to stick with lab blocks now, the 3 extra bucks per 50# bag is totally worth it

saves me $5 bag....

I guess it all depends how many bags you feed per month, I am guessing I breed more than most do.

Using Doggie bag and Hog feed cut my cost by 1/3 compared to Mazuri-to give you an idea of my breeding-I put just over 200 rats in the freezer last week

i use kent 19% rodent diet
16$ a bag, im sure if i was to calculate it out it would show im saving money going with the more expensive food.
Sounds like you guys breed more than i do though, ive got 3 groups of 1.5, just enough for myself and a couple customers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lamina1982

Using Doggie bag and Hog feed cut my cost by 1/3 compared to Mazuri-to give you an idea of my breeding-I put just over 200 rats in the freezer last week

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My average customer takes 100-150 per week...I have many customers and still a surplus. Currently 24 racks in the out building, six inside the house

and that doesn't include the pygmy mice, spiny mice, asf, or gerbils.

Wow thats a lot, I actually had to cut my breeding as trouble finding buyers in my area for some reason-and I sell way cheaper than stores and online. Any tips for better building up clientel?Thanks

I sell $1-2-3 rats...nothing is more than $3. I focus on weans and smalls.

I deliver to most places locally which they like since i am hands on and stand by what I sell...

I have a good variety and supply.

I will on occasion trade in lieu of payment (times are tough for everyone right now)

pretty much it.

Get in the door with price and wow them with being a good person who cares about what you do.

and personal note....I don't work on IOU's..

If they want product, I get payment in some way by the time I leave.

If you want to ruin a friendship or a relationship, have an IOU hanging between you.

Thanks for the info