Vanilla extract

I was wondering who use's the vanilla extract to kill some of the urine odor with your colonies? And how efective it really is?

I use it. For the females there is so change really, I think its because they don't have strong urine smells. As for the males, it does help a little. Not saying it will make the smell go away but it does help some.

Anybody else got any ideas? I'm going to have to try pine again I remember it held the smell a little better. I just have to make sure there's plenty of ventilation.

They shouldn't smell regardless of what bedding they are on. If you are feeding them a good diet supplemented with high quality lab blocks, and have plenty of fresh water in water bottles, then they shouldn't have a smell.

Make sure they aren't crowded and have plenty of room to move about. Ventilation is key but don't have it drafty.

Boys may have a musky odor, but females don't smell like anything to me(bedding maybe, and fried chicken occassionally). Have you taken some of their feces to a vet to have it checked for parasites? That can make their feces have a bad odor and be runny.

We did several tests... put them on vanilla.... take them off vanilla, put them on vanilla, take them off vanilla...

We had over 1500 rats IN our house at one point, so we could make note of differences fairly easily.. vanilla definitely helped...

We use pine bedding, the smaller/more absorbant kind helpds better.

Then finally we would put a handful of baking soda down under the pine.... at one point I thought it was causing some deaths but after additional trials we didnt lose any babies or adults, and it seems like it was a freak coincidence.... it is dusty so you want to make sure you put a good amount of bedding on top, and hope they dont kick it around much, but it helps a lot.

Their poop is always solid I feed them carrots and dog food I have not used the lab blocks I'm definitely going to try now. I also give them fruits and leftovers once in a awhile. Becky where can I get these lab blocks? And again thank you guy's.

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Originally Posted by emilio

Their poop is always solid I feed them carrots and dog food I have not used the lab blocks I'm definitely going to try now. I also give them fruits and leftovers once in a awhile. Becky where can I get these lab blocks? And again thank you guy's.

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I feed my rats lab blocks and plenty of water, and Im not sure how they wouldn't smell to some extent.... If I could change bedding every 3 days it would probably be pretty good, but not really possible for me :(


Dog food, what percent protein is in it? You want to aim for below 20%

It's right at 20% when I first started I was useing one with 16% they use to leave alot of it. I'm thinking it's cause it was a whole bunch of different color's. Do you have a link to somewhere I can see or buy the lab blocks?

Nope. Local feed/pet stores should have it... I dont know of any place where it is affordable to buy it online, heavy stuff to ship.


Do you have any kind of feed/bigger pet store nearby? Not like petco or the like...

Yeah I think I know where to go thanks again. I'll let everyone know if things get better.

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Originally Posted by emilio

It's right at 20% when I first started I was useing one with 16% they use to leave alot of it. I'm thinking it's cause it was a whole bunch of different color's. Do you have a link to somewhere I can see or buy the lab blocks?

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Emilio,i buy my lab block at a farm supply store.Try and find one that supplies food for chickens and such and ask them if they can order it for you.Some might allready have it on hand.

Emilio, Here are some feed stores that should be near Miami.

OK Feed Store
22801 SW 177th Ave, Homestead, FL
(305) 246-3333 - 23 mi SW

Okeechobee Feed & Supplies
9355 NW South River Dr, Medley, FL
(305) 882-1575 - 10 mi NW

Florida's Finest
22801 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL
(305) 246-3333 - 23 mi SW

Robbie's Feed & Supply
22300 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL
(305) 247-1256 - 23 mi SW

Finish Line Feeds
145 SW 3rd Ave, Dania, FL
(954) 920-1414 - 19 mi N

Stanley Penn Hay & Grain
97 SW 3rd Ave, Dania, FL
(954) 927-3364 - 19 mi N

Grifs Western
6211 SW 45th St, Davie, FL
(954) 587-9000 - 1 review - 20 mi N

Country Western Store The
7550 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL
(954) 434-8081 - 20 mi N

Davie Feed & Farm Supply Inc
5150 S Flamingo Rd, Cooper City, FL
(954) 680-6808 - 21 mi N

Town & Country Supply Inc
7040 SW 21st Street Pl, Davie, FL
(954) 436-8111 - 22 mi N

Hey, What amount of V-Extract do you add & to how much water??? :rat:

Too many carrots can lead to an orange, diarrhea mess that also smells.

What kind of dog food? If it is any of the off-brand grocery store types, it's junk and get it out of there. You want a high-quality dog food and you want it to make up about 25% of their mix. Nutro Senior is good, Wellness Senior, etc. No crap food, or you will get smelly crap(literally).

Make my mix that I wrote about. It will save you ALOT of money and will be alot healthy for your rats and your snakes. What you feed your rats ultimately is what you are feeding your snakes, and if it is junk you might as well be feeding the snakes Ol' Roy.

Find a Purina dealer at a feed store(you will see the red and white checkerboard if they sell Purina). Get Mazuri Rodent 6F or 9F, they come in 50lb bags and the rats do wonderfully on them.

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Hey, What amount of V-Extract do you add & to how much water??? :rat:

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not much :)


thats all the more help i can be :)


just a small squirt in a bottle

You guy's are awesome!!!!! Jamie you rock!!!

emilio where are you in Fl?

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Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

not much :)


thats all the more help i can be :)


just a small squirt in a bottle

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Sweet.... Thanks!:D I'll give it a shot... literally! AAAgghhhh I crack myself up!:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Laooda

I crack myself up!:rolleyes:

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This also has worked for me with excellent results :clap:

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Originally Posted by cueball

This also has worked for me with excellent results :clap:

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Vanilla.... or cracking your self up!?!? :D :rat:

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Originally Posted by TheAudOne

emilio where are you in Fl?

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Miami Lakes:colbert2:

I'm on the other coast....we moved from Boca Raton to here....oh how I miss it over there.

Vanilla extract ... about one teaspoon per 8 ozs will cut the smell. I've done pretty extensive testing with additives to the water to cut the smell. Vanilla will cut the smell ... however ... ive found that they end up drinking more water when it is added. More vanilla water equals more urine and feces. Something I remember from school is that they body processes plain water differently than any other liquid (this includes flavored water). Its kinda like trying to slake your thirst with soda ... and you still end up having to drink water anyhow. Vinegar didnt have any appreciable difference with smell.

There is nothing wrong with housing rodents on pine IF it is a high quality pine. None of this $5 walmart stuff unless you are willing to sift it manually before using it. You want a pine that has been sifted multiple times and has been kiln dried. Look for a high grade pine that is designed to be used for horses (horses get RI's easily also). Average flake should be dime sized or larger.

Most dog food shouldnt even be fed to dogs ... it will keep them alive but thats about it. I have used Nutro Natural for Seniors with good results (this is what I feed my dog). The number one way to cut the smell, as mentioned, is good food and water. Alot of breeders swear by Mazuri ... Its a good food but I'm not a fan of it. Rodents cannot process corn or alfalfa ... most dog foods contain one or both of them (as does Mazuri). Unusable food is going to be discarded as feces. My personal preference is for Harlan 2018. This is the food I model my lab block after. Ive found 18-19% and 7-10% fat is best for rats. 16% protein and 5% fat is best for mice. Becky's mix is a good diet for someone breeding rodents as pets or for a small collection. I used a recipe similiar to that when I first started out.

The last thing that affects smell is their caging ... If using fish tanks you will need to make sure there is great air flow (fish tanks are designed to hold liquids, ammonia, and to have poor air exchange to reduce evaporation). While some people say you can go 2 weeks between cleanings I suggest at least weekly bedding changes ... even more often if in areas with high humidity.

Like the other Bryan I've housed hundreds of rats and mice in my house ... My wife hated the smell so I did alot of experimenting. Above is the results of those experiments.

Bryan

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

...but females don't smell like anything to me(bedding maybe, and fried chicken occassionally)...

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Teehee! Meaty bones is yummy nibbles!

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Originally Posted by Bdadawg

Vanilla extract ... about one teaspoon per 8 ozs will cut the smell. I've done pretty extensive testing with additives to the water to cut the smell. Vanilla will cut the smell ... however ... ive found that they end up drinking more water when it is added. More vanilla water equals more urine and feces. Something I remember from school is that they body processes plain water differently than any other liquid (this includes flavored water). Its kinda like trying to slake your thirst with soda ... and you still end up having to drink water anyhow. Vinegar didnt have any appreciable difference with smell.

There is nothing wrong with housing rodents on pine IF it is a high quality pine. None of this $5 walmart stuff unless you are willing to sift it manually before using it. You want a pine that has been sifted multiple times and has been kiln dried. Look for a high grade pine that is designed to be used for horses (horses get RI's easily also). Average flake should be dime sized or larger.

Most dog food shouldnt even be fed to dogs ... it will keep them alive but thats about it. I have used Nutro Natural for Seniors with good results (this is what I feed my dog). The number one way to cut the smell, as mentioned, is good food and water. Alot of breeders swear by Mazuri ... Its a good food but I'm not a fan of it. Rodents cannot process corn or alfalfa ... most dog foods contain one or both of them (as does Mazuri). Unusable food is going to be discarded as feces. My personal preference is for Harlan 2018. This is the food I model my lab block after. Ive found 18-19% and 7-10% fat is best for rats. 16% protein and 5% fat is best for mice. Becky's mix is a good diet for someone breeding rodents as pets or for a small collection. I used a recipe similiar to that when I first started out.

The last thing that affects smell is their caging ... If using fish tanks you will need to make sure there is great air flow (fish tanks are designed to hold liquids, ammonia, and to have poor air exchange to reduce evaporation). While some people say you can go 2 weeks between cleanings I suggest at least weekly bedding changes ... even more often if in areas with high humidity.

Like the other Bryan I've housed hundreds of rats and mice in my house ... My wife hated the smell so I did alot of experimenting. Above is the results of those experiments.

Bryan

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Thanks for the info I already got the vanilla now I'm going to switch dog foods. I'm also going to look for a lab block supplement.

Has anyone tried a product like this

"Marshall Pet Bi-Odor Ferret Waste Deodorizer"

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_Nav_248_sku_161926_R_8163_enemerch_1.aspx?cm_re=248-_-FeaturedProductListVertical1-_-161926



Seems like is would be a good product to reduce the smell...but since Ferrets were never intended to be fed to anything I don't know if it would be safe for feeders?

Just wanted to note on the thread that the vanilla has worked and the smell has gone down considerably. One more thing I'm doing is useing a little bit of baking soda under the aspen and it seem's to be working also.

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Originally Posted by Emilio

Just wanted to note on the thread that the vanilla has worked and the smell has gone down considerably. One more thing I'm doing is useing a little bit of baking soda under the aspen and it seem's to be working also.

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Dont put tooooooo much baking soda down there!! It could get pretty dusty! LOL! Where did you put your VE in? a seprate bowl or a few drops in the water?

A few drop's in the water , and yes I put only a little trust me I'm super careful with my rat's I treat them real good.

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Originally Posted by Emilio

A few drop's in the water , and yes I put only a little trust me I'm super careful with my rat's I treat them real good.

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GOOD!

:gj:

I never had that great of luck with the vanilla, not sure if different brands make a difference or if I was using to much or to little. I'm certain I probably didn't use it long enough and that is my own fault. When water is low like a robot I simply refill it as I'm used to any smells they give off. I am testing out the baking soda suggestion. I put some in one rat and one mouse holding/growing tub as that is where there is a higher concentration of males. I also stole (out of the fridge) one of those odor eater baking soda boxes that my wife uses in fridge and freezer and have it in the room near the rodents...worth a shot :P

I know Bryan (bdadawg) said that he didn't have luck using vinegar. I had read somewhere to use apple cider vinegar (a few drops to 8oz water). I tried that for a while, then quit (like TekWarren - robot filling with water). I did notice a difference. However, I'm just now trying the vanilla. Problem is - vanilla is waay more expensive than apple cider vinegar!

Steve

Actually I said that it didnt have an appreciable difference ... My wife complained less, just wasnt worth the effort.

I have since found (since doing the "experiments") that the 3 biggest impacts, are feed, bedding, and cleaning frequency.

If you want to check out if the feed changes the smell I'll ship you some of mine. Food is free shipping is 8.10 (USPS flat rate box). It's approx 13 lbs of food. 13 lbs will last a 1:3 colony with litters 2 weeks, or a pair with litters for abut 2 months. Just PM me.

For those playing with water bottles im doing experimenting on 6 types of automatic valves. Edstrom Vari-Flo valves, Edstrom Standard Valves, The dew drop valve, another spring loaded valve, the borak valves, and a local valve used for mink. I'm not at all impressed with the vari-flo valves. The other ones should be arriving this week.

So hopefully i'll remember to update as I get the results (going to use each type on 12 enclosures for a minimum of one month with each having its own feed).

Bryan

I remember you PM'ing me offering to send some food my way to try Bryan. I may take you up on it just to see. I'm feeding a block diet already but doesn't hurt to try others. What where you using again and can you give any info on it?

I'm thinking more and more about a gravity fed water system. With a central point of water I would probably be more apt to keep adding a supplement (like vanila) but its just hasn't seemed worth it when filling a number of bottles. Keep us posted on the valves.

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Originally Posted by Bdadawg

Actually I said that it didnt have an appreciable difference ... My wife complained less, just wasnt worth the effort. ...

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Sorry, I misinterpreted your post.

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Originally Posted by Bdadawg

... For those playing with water bottles im doing experimenting on 6 types of automatic valves. Edstrom Vari-Flo valves, Edstrom Standard Valves, The dew drop valve, another spring loaded valve, the borak valves, and a local valve used for mink. I'm not at all impressed with the vari-flo valves. The other ones should be arriving this week.

So hopefully i'll remember to update as I get the results (going to use each type on 12 enclosures for a minimum of one month with each having its own feed).

Bryan

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Please do keep us informed how things go with the valves. The only reason I hadn't already ordered the Vari-Flo valves is that I ran out of $$$!

Thanks!
Steve

I've been meaning to update this I did a test last week with the baking soda suggestions. I sprinkled a little in two of the stinkier tubs containing alot of males that where growing out (mice), and another tub that had rats. I also had my wife pick up an extra one of those fridge/freezer baking soda odor eater boxes and have that in the room also. I must say by the end of last week it was a world of difference! I have a few less rodents this week after feeding some off but I did not put the baking soda in the tubs this last weekend when cleaning. I'm seeing if just the odor eater box will help enough. If so they are cheap enough at under a buck and supposed to last like 3 months.

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

I remember you PM'ing me offering to send some food my way to try Bryan. I may take you up on it just to see. I'm feeding a block diet already but doesn't hurt to try others. What where you using again and can you give any info on it?

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You will find with breeders that alot of them use Mazuri 6f. I dont like them because they use alfalfa and corn ... they are more of a "pet" food supplier. I prefer Harlan 2018, and this is what I've based my rat food on. It is mostly soy based.

Hoo ... no worries its real easy to misinterpret when you cant see the other person. I'm sure we will continue to misinterpret each other for years to come ::grins::.

I must be in a good mood this week cause im sending out 11 packages with 13 lbs of food for the cost of shipping only. If anyone else wants some just PM me.

Bryan

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

Has anyone tried a product like this

"Marshall Pet Bi-Odor Ferret Waste Deodorizer"

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_Nav_248_sku_161926_R_8163_enemerch_1.aspx?cm_re=248-_-FeaturedProductListVertical1-_-161926



Seems like is would be a good product to reduce the smell...but since Ferrets were never intended to be fed to anything I don't know if it would be safe for feeders?

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Instead of a chemical, why not use CHLOROFIL ((SP)) (the green stuff hunters use to get rid of thier own smells while hunting) It usually comes in pill form or capsule..... it can be gotten in health food stores for sure...hunting stores maybe? It could prob. be put in their water.

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Originally Posted by Jeanne

Instead of a chemical, why not use CHLOROFIL ((SP)) (the green stuff hunters use to get rid of thier own smells while hunting) It usually comes in pill form or capsule..... it can be gotten in health food stores for sure...hunting stores maybe? It could prob. be put in their water.

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As an update the "Bio Odor Remover" doesn't work - at least not appreciatably (sp?)

So the search goes on...I will try and find the CHOROFIL next and let you know how that goes.

Sean

I'm telling you folks...the baking soda odor eater boxes usually meant for freezers/fridge help...give it a try.

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

I'm telling you folks...the baking soda odor eater boxes usually meant for freezers/fridge help...give it a try.

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I agree 100% it's working for me too.