What subsrtate is best for rats??

Ok i'm kinda new to rat breeding i have been breeding rats for about 6 months now and i keep seeing different statements regarding bedding. Could i please get some input about what everybody uses and how long? I personally use kiln dried pine and have never had any problems my colony was started with 6 pet store rats (2.4) in 2 different tubs and now is (3.9) in (1.3) groups. I have only had 2 die unintentionally both pet store white rats i figure they were lab rats or something but otherwise everyone is healthy and happy and problem free. Thank you for any input. Hope everyone is having a great breeding season.

Vic

sorry title should be substrate

I've tried almost everything available on the market and ended up using nothing but kiln dried pine.
For the money you can't beat it IMO

pine for 20 years +

Kiln dried pine is best. Try to get a medium size thin fluffy flake with very low dust. That is ideal.

I am still trying multiple types of bedding but I picked up some Cozy N Fresh from the local Tractor Supply and so far I am very pleased with it. It is only $5.99 for 20lbs and has carbon added to help control the smell. I don't notice a smell at all. But the best part last night a new 32 oz water bottle was faulty and leaked until it flooded the 10 gallon tank, and there was 15 newborns with momma in it. Because the bedding is so absorbent there wasn't any liquid in the tank this morning. I had to change the bedding and water bottle but I think is saved my babies.

I am still trying to find out if it is safe so if anyone has any info on that let me know. Thanks

http://www.tractorsupply.com/pet-car...20-lb--2181014

Pine pellets:salute:

thanks for all of the input it seems kiln dried pine is the way to go. It's just nice get a consensus on it. Whats strange is some people in other threads say they have used cedar for years with no problems and i've heard it is ok in small quantities but can cause RI in rats. Oh well noone chimed in with that will have to wait and see. Thanks again for the input highly appreciate it.

I use pine pellets for adult rats. Birthing mothers get aspen shavings. When the babies are two weeks old they get switched to a combination of sani-chips all over and aspen shavings for the nest. Sani-chips only for the grow out tubs.

ASF's get pine pellets in the corners and sani-chips & aspen shavings. Mice do not get pellets, just sani-chips and aspen shavings.

Rats and ASF's give off no odor for up to two weeks. They go in the same corner so you can spot clean. Mice just stink.

When I use up my aspen shavings I am switching to pine shavings. The pine really helps with the smell.

We use Regal Downs FB (Fine Bedding). It is very absorbant and easy to clean, we have had very good luck with it. We have used it for the past 3-4 years. Before that we used corn cob. I loved the corn cob it was great and super easy to clean but much more expensive than the FB which is why we switched.

BEST would be something like carefresh or aspen excelsior. But it's so pricey.

Safest and most affordable, is definitely kiln dried (if you can get dust free, it's better) pine shavings or excelsior for horses. 45lbs for $5. . . :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

BEST would be something like carefresh or aspen excelsior. But it's so pricey.

Safest and most affordable, is definitely kiln dried (if you can get dust free, it's better) pine shavings or excelsior for horses. 45lbs for $5. . . :D

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Wow, I never heard of Excelsior but I'm hitting up some feed stores this week to hopefully find rat feed so I'll add that to the list!

Regards,

B

Kiln Dried Pine is the BEST.

Keep using it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

Wow, I never heard of Excelsior but I'm hitting up some feed stores this week to hopefully find rat feed so I'll add that to the list!

Regards,

B

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Excelsor is great. It's super compact, and fluffs up really well. It's worth the money, when i have it, and the critters love it! ;)

Kiln Dried Pine has been and always will be the best.

Excelsior aspen is awesome, I used it for a long time till I switched to kiln dried pine.
For the money kiln dried pine is as good as it gets IMO

I'm all over whatever I can get $5 for 45lbs :D

Regards,

B

I never look at the weight but i only pay 5 bucks for the bale of pine i get and it fills up the 30/35 gallon garbage can i use so its pretty cheap i get it at a farm supply store. Thanks for all the input i really do appreciate it.

Vic

I use a combination of pine pellets along with kiln dried pine shavings, I do a handful of pine pellets and then lightly cover the top of pellets with the shavings. I may be spending a little more and adding more work for myself but I have found it helps a lot with the smell and helps with hot temps in the summer months.