Tips On Increasing The Nutritional Value Of Your Rats

I Thought This Would Be Pretty Neat To Put Out. For Those Of You That Keep Rats For Feeding Purposes The Best Way To Make Sure Your Rats Are In Excellent Health Is Simply Feed Foods With High Vitamin Values. You Re Probaly Wondering What I Mean By This And I Will Tell You. What I Do For My Rats Is I Grind Up 16 Multivitamins And Flaxseed Oil And Sprinkle Their Feed And Within A Week I Ve Noticed An 15 Gram Increase In Their Weight. Trust Me U Are What U Eat And This Can Certainly Prove For Healthy Ball Python

Very nice Thanks :D

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Originally Posted by lamar3986

I Thought This Would Be Pretty Neat To Put Out. For Those Of You That Keep Rats For Feeding Purposes The Best Way To Make Sure Your Rats Are In Excellent Health Is Simply Feed Foods With High Vitamin Values. You Re Probaly Wondering What I Mean By This And I Will Tell You. What I Do For My Rats Is I Grind Up 16 Multivitamins And Flaxseed Oil And Sprinkle Their Feed And Within A Week I Ve Noticed An 15 Gram Increase In Their Weight. Trust Me U Are What U Eat And This Can Certainly Prove For Healthy Ball Python

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I am not knocking your tactic but i feed my rodents a high quality lab block and i always turn out very healthy rodents.Same results less work :)

Hey Thats Great It Is Definitely Cheaper And Less Work This Is Something I Ve Just Being What Type Of Block Are You Using And Where Do Yu Get It.

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Originally Posted by lamar3986

Hey Thats Great It Is Definitely Cheaper And Less Work This Is Something I Ve Just Being What Type Of Block Are You Using And Where Do Yu Get It.

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I will have to get that info on the bag the next time i get some.Do you have any feed stores(like farm supply or such) in your area? If you do ask them if the can order you rodent lab block 5008 its a 50lb bag.I will post the info in this thread when i get it.

This is what I feed my rats.

http://www.teklad.com/pdf/2018.pdf

I wouldn't want to mess with the professionals at Harlan Teklad who balance the vitamins/minerals for optimum nutrition.

This Is For U Mr Haggard. My Values For Each Vitamin Runs Avg. 950%

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Originally Posted by lamar3986

This Is For U Mr Haggard. My Values For Each Vitamin Runs Avg. 950%

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OK.I am not sure if that high of a content is really good on your rodents and inturn your snakes.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

OK.I am not sure if that high of a content is really good on your rodents and inturn your snakes.

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Depends on if they are water soluble vitamins, anything beyond what they need will just get peed out....

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Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

Depends on if they are water soluble vitamins, anything beyond what they need will just get peed out....

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So in the long run it could be veiwed as its wasted then.In my experiance more rodent pee equels stinky burning eyes stuff lol.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

So in the long run it could be veiwed as its wasted then.In my experiance more rodent pee equels stinky burning eyes stuff lol.

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Yup, thats why when you take multivitamins that say 2000% vitamin c (water soluble) it isnt neccessarily any better than one with 300%.... your body will use what it needs, and expel the rest.

That and most multi-vitamins usually show the % for a full grown human, not for a tiny rat, or even know what % of what vitamins a rat needs tot be healthy, or a snake.

Id say just go with a quality lab block, and if you cant find one, or want to supplement their diet, check out the sticky on Becky's snack mix :)

Alright So I Have Nt Been Doing This Method Forever And I Would Certainly Like To Know Where Are U Guys Getting Your Lab Block From What The Websites Thanx.

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Originally Posted by lamar3986

Alright So I Have Nt Been Doing This Method Forever And I Would Certainly Like To Know Where Are U Guys Getting Your Lab Block From What The Websites Thanx.

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Read post number 5 in this thread.

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Originally Posted by lamar3986

Alright So I Have Nt Been Doing This Method Forever And I Would Certainly Like To Know Where Are U Guys Getting Your Lab Block From What The Websites Thanx.

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I know some websites sell enough for a few rats, but when you are dealing with 50lbs per bag, shipping becomes cost prohibitive.

I pick mine up at the factory, though I know many pet stores sell a decent block, purina or mazuri or?? I know there are others. Just check with local feed store.

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Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

I know some websites sell enough for a few rats, but when you are dealing with 50lbs per bag, shipping becomes cost prohibitive.

I pick mine up at the factory, though I know many pet stores sell a decent block, purina or mazuri or?? I know there are others. Just check with local feed store.

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I pay $25 total for a 50lb bag from my local feed store.Pet store want around $2 a lb and thats the lowest place.Thats the name of the block i use Mazuri.

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Originally Posted by lamar3986

Alright So I Have Nt Been Doing This Method Forever And I Would Certainly Like To Know Where Are U Guys Getting Your Lab Block From What The Websites Thanx.

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Anybody else wondering why lamar capitalizes the first letter of every word?

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Originally Posted by BD1

Anybody else wondering why lamar capitalizes the first letter of every word?

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He is probably typing in all caps but filters can change the text to prevent that so it is limited to only the first letter being capital rather than every letter.

;)

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

He is probably typing in all caps but filters can change the text to prevent that so it is limited to only the first letter being capital rather than every letter.

;)

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TEST TO SEE IF THAT IS RIGHT

maybe a filter on his computer, bc it isn't one on the site :)

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

He is probably typing in all caps but filters can change the text to prevent that so it is limited to only the first letter being capital rather than every letter.

;)

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That's what it's supposed to do, but I'm not sure why it didn't work for Tm. Maybe because he has a mix of regular type and all caps, and it's leaving the all caps for emphasis.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

That's what it's supposed to do, but I'm not sure why it didn't work for Tm. Maybe because he has a mix of regular type and all caps, and it's leaving the all caps for emphasis.

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at first I had all caps. then went back and edited to say it didnt work

I dunno then!:confuzd: I know I've tested it before and it changed to upper and lower case.

I Use Mazuri Rodent Lab Block. I Get A 25 Pound Bag From A Pet Store... Once You Get Your Rodents On A Good Balanced Block You Shouldn't Have To Supplement Any Vitamins Or Minerals. I Also Feed Them Some "treats" Occasionally... Cereal, Whole Grain Crackers, Etc.

Well the filter obviously worked for me.

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Originally Posted by lamar3986

This Is For U Mr Haggard. My Values For Each Vitamin Runs Avg. 950%

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I'd definitely be careful about that. I'm not sure how viatmins react in rodents vs. humans, but some vitamins (such as vitamin A) can build up in the human body over time. And high levels over a long period of time = toxicity. And toxicity has some nasty side-effects in humans. So, going with 950% in some vitamins will just be expelled if the body of the human (or rodent) can't use any more of them...with other vitamins that remain stored in the body, it could lead to toxicity--meaning sickness (even death) of your rodents.

And if those are 950% of the daily value for HUMANS, I imagine your rodents are getting MORE than 950% of their DV.

Just my thoughts on the matter... I took a "Chemistry in Nutrition and Health" course last semester, and vitamin toxicity was what I did my final project on. I'm by no means an expert on rodentia, or humans for that matter...but just putting the possibility of toxicity out there in regard to certain vitamins you may (or may not) be feeding your animals.

--Kim

I Am Greater Than The Admins!

Mwahahahahaha

dang! it was because I had the quote in there

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

at first I had all caps. then went back and edited to say it didnt work

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If you have a quote with lower case letters....or if you use a smiley who's "replacement" code includes lowercase letters....it bypasses the ALL CAPS filter.

This is not meant as a hint for folks to intentionally bypass that filter. Anyone consistently typing in all caps will get beat about the head with a choice frozen salmon from Iceman25's freezer! :fishslap:

:P

Everyone seems to have their own rat feed mix. I myself mix the lab blocks with some Allstock animal feed and cracked corn (not a lot of that..) I toss in unsalted peanuts or horse treats once in awhile, among other healthy treats. My rats are healthy, happy breeders on this diet. I but everything in bulk, in 25 or 50 pound bags. I bucket it all securely to prevent mold, as with horse feed, mold can spoil things fast.
EDIT: it's not cracked corn; it's that weird, smushed hard corn like a raw cornflake. Silly me cannot remember the name! Rolled corn?

I personally find the capitalization of each letter as annoying as all CAPS. :)

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Originally Posted by JLC

If you have a quote with lower case letters....or if you use a smiley who's "replacement" code includes lowercase letters....it bypasses the ALL CAPS filter.

This is not meant as a hint for folks to intentionally bypass that filter. Anyone consistently typing in all caps will get beat about the head with a choice frozen salmon from Iceman25's freezer! :fishslap:

:P

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Promise :rockon: :rockon: ,i prefere bass beatings :8: :8: :8:

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

Everyone seems to have their own rat feed mix. I myself mix the lab blocks with some Allstock animal feed and cracked corn (not a lot of that..) I toss in unsalted peanuts or horse treats once in awhile, among other healthy treats. My rats are healthy, happy breeders on this diet. I but everything in bulk, in 25 or 50 pound bags. I bucket it all securely to prevent mold, as with horse feed, mold can spoil things fast.
EDIT: it's not cracked corn; it's that weird, smushed hard corn like a raw cornflake. Silly me cannot remember the name! Rolled corn?

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Is that a new thing to smoke(rolled corn)? :rolleyes: :partyon: :partyon:

Gin, that corn really isn't a good idea. It doesn't have any nutritional value other than having alot of carbs that are turned into sugar, which makes them fat. Also, corn just makes them full and they're not really getting anything out of it. Not to mention, the mold issues(mold spores can already be on the corn before it's processed).

I'd just stick with the blocks, and maybe some cereals/nuts/dry pasta/oatmeal, etc.

Being corn-fed isn't a good thing, same as with cattle. Turns their meat yellow and just isn't healthy to eat. You are what you eat, and I'd prefer it wasn't corn.

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

Being corn-fed isn't a good thing, same as with cattle. Turns their meat yellow and just isn't healthy to eat. You are what you eat, and I'd prefer it wasn't corn.

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What?!?!?!?!? I live in Iowa, most of this state raises corn-fed beef and I have never heard such a thing. I guarantee it doesn't turn their meat yellow and the cattle have no signs of bad health.

I agree a high corn based diet for rodents isn't good, but for cattle it is a completely different story. ;)

So at long last we know the secret to producing yellowbelly BP's... feed them corn fed rats!

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Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

So at long last we know the secret to producing yellowbelly BP's... feed them corn fed rats!

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SSSSSHHHHHH

;)

Sorry, I've just been told that by a number of people, including my teachers(vets and vet techs), some cattle ranchers who raise beef cattle, etc.

While it may be ok for cattle, who have a rumen and can digest such things, rats don't have those digestive organs, and get nothing out of it(like dogs and cats). It just makes them full and fills them with sugar. Kind of like the snakes are eating take-out, while they could be eating healthy organic food. I think I'd still rather eat beef that had been pasture fed/grazers, than those who had only been fed hay and concentrates.

Horses really shouldn't be fed it either, as it doesn't give much energy at all. Our horses get no corn in their feed(it's not included in the ingredients). Other horse owners/breeders using the same feed haven't had a case of colic in a good 20 years.

I just don't see corn as a proper nutritional additive, because it doesn't offer anything that they're not getting anyway.

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

Sorry, I've just been told that by a number of people, including my teachers(vets and vet techs), some cattle ranchers who raise beef cattle, etc.

While it may be ok for cattle, who have a rumen and can digest such things, rats don't have those digestive organs, and get nothing out of it(like dogs and cats). It just makes them full and fills them with sugar. Kind of like the snakes are eating take-out, while they could be eating healthy organic food. I think I'd still rather eat beef that had been pasture fed/grazers, than those who had only been fed hay and concentrates.

Horses really shouldn't be fed it either, as it doesn't give much energy at all. Our horses get no corn in their feed(it's not included in the ingredients). Other horse owners/breeders using the same feed haven't had a case of colic in a good 20 years.

I just don't see corn as a proper nutritional additive, because it doesn't offer anything that they're not getting anyway.

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I just think alot of the info about cattle is based on the region of people you talk to. I lived in Texas for awhile and know that almost all beef in texas is raised on grazing only. While most cattle farmers here have grazing and corn based diet. Everyone thinks their way is the best way. I do know when I was in Texas I had my parents ship me about 20 steaks and we had a grill-out for some friends and neighbors. Everyone walked away saying that those were the best steaks they ever had.

Maybe after the holidays I will have to send some steaks down to Cue and you both can see what Iowa beef is all about. ;)

Hehe, you might just have to! Just so they're not RAT steaks, I'll be alright ;)

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Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake

So at long last we know the secret to producing yellowbelly BP's... feed them corn fed rats!

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Actually, a couple of well know herpetologists have told me that ball pythons fed rats raised on a diet that contains corn meal and/or corn by product may have an effect on the color of the snake over time.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Actually, a couple of well know herpetologists have told me that ball pythons fed rats raised on a diet that contains corn meal and/or corn by product may have an effect on the color of the snake over time.

-adam

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would that be a negative or positive effect? I'm thinking negative, but just looking for clarity

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

Hehe, you might just have to! Just so they're not RAT steaks, I'll be alright ;)

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Those might slip through the slots on the grill. ;)

After the holidays we will have to work it out. :sweeet:

i dont know if this is true or not as i got the info second hand while working as a cook . i was told that corn fed beef is usually better tasting because it produces more fat marbling in the meat . more fat distributed thru the muscle tissue gives more flavor to the meat .