Things I wish I had known when I started out breeding rats...

[meowmeowkazoo]

Just got this in the mail on Wednesday. Quick shipping, $21.19 for a 40lb bag. $4.95 shipping which did not change when I added multiple bags. Can't recommend this enough.

I didn't get $4.95 shipping, but they have a special where you get free shipping when you sign up for autoship on orders that are $49 or more. So I'm getting one 40-lb. bag of food and two 2.2 cubic foot compressed bags of pine bedding, which just barely totals over $49. Free shipping on a heavy bag of rat food? Yes please!

[CapeFearConstrictors]

Pine pellets work WONDERS for reducing smell. Of course, you can't use them on babies until their eyes open (at about two weeks). By that time, the dust isn't an issue. I separate pregnant moms into a birthing rack. It's extra work, but the lack of rodent smell makes it well, well, well worth it. Not to say my room doesn't stink, but after 7 days of not cleaning (approximately ~500 rats), it's still more of a *sniff* yeah, it kinda stinks in here instead of a *sniff* OH THE HORROR!

That being said, the dust gets everywhere. I wouldn't recommend it if you keep your rats in a room in your house, unless it's a dedicated rodent room.

[reptimac]

your best bet is gunna be a local feed store.
if you dont have one of those, find someone whom breeds rats near you be it a specialty breeder, local
, or pet shop for feeders and ask them where they get theres. you may even be able to buy from them.


- hope this helps