Feeder Rats

I've been buying all my feeder rats from a local reptile shop. I don't have extra cash (or space) to buy months of food at once, even though it would save on costs in the end, so I usually pick up about 10 or so of each size I need when I need them. The problem is, the rats aren't cheap.

I have a friend that breeds her own feeder rats and sells them, and has pretty good prices on her rats. I've been staying away from her rats because she told me she feeds them hog food (at least, I think that's what she said). Now, I know nothing about keeping or breeding rats, but this didn't sound right to me. Why not feed rats rat food. She said the hog food is a lot cheaper, and (it was a while ago and my memory isn't great) that the hog food is similar to rat food. I guess I'm wondering if what she's doing is okay? If I decide to purchase rats from her, will this cause any problems for my snakes? Can feeder rats be fed this type of diet?

Thanks!

You sure she didn't say dog food?

I'm betting she said dog food I know people who use that an their rats are healthy. When I run outta rat food an need to make it a couple days I use dog food too

I have heard of this before as well. I believe it is lactating Sow Chow that is used. It supposedly comes in a lab block form.

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Originally Posted by joebad976

I have heard of this before as well. I believe it is lactating Sow Chow that is used. It supposedly comes in a lab block form.

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My cousin has lots of that stuff on his farm I didn't know rats did good with that stuff?? Huh learn something everyday

Hog food is used by many and they seem successful with it. If they look good and don't smell bad, go for it.

Hog food is ok for rats. Its not exactly Harlan or Mazuri, but its a second best. And way better than dog food.

Dog food is awful for them. It makes them greasy and smell more. Not healthy at all.

What you put in your rats, you're putting into your snakes ....

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Dog food is awful for them. It makes them greasy and smell more. Not healthy at all.

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As long as they are getting good protein you shouldnt have any problems.
I have yet to see any greasy rats :rofl::rofl::rofl:

I feed Purina Large Breed and they also get a lot of leftovers;)

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Originally Posted by satomi325

What you put in your rats, you're putting into your snakes ....

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This is exactly why I was concerned. She used to feed dog food but I suppose she has done more research since then because she now doesn't feed them that.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! It definitely makes me happy that the hog food is okay. Not only are her prices a lot better, she's a lot closer to me than the reptile shop so it saves on gas too!

Rat food is what I use. It's a giant bag that's got all the nutrition a rat needs plus it helps keep their teeth ground down!!!! Dog food is def good for emergency situations but not something I would feed them on a regular basis.


0.3 Normals (Coilette, Athena and Mary Jane)
1.0 Pastel (De Sol)
1.0 Spider (Zeus)
1.0 Mojave (Prometheus)

0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Stella)
0.1 BCI (Kiyoko)

I pay 23 dollars for a 50 pound bag of Mazuri 6f and that lasts me almost 3 months. Granted I have less than 20 adult rats at a time but the cost of the food isn't that high for me. I don't imagine dog food or hog food to be much cheaper.


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Maybe if you feed the feeders nursing sow food, they'll turn your snakes into little piggies!