Rat/ Feeder Bin

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Hey Guys,

So I get my feeders live off of a guy who lives an hour or so away. I don't drive so when he comes into the city (every 2 - 3 weeks) I buy about a dozen live rats off of him. I usually feed the day I get them so there wont be more than 7 or 8 rats in the bin at a time. I was curious to what you guys thought about my bin (which was given to me off a breeder I know), and any suggestions you may have to improve it, or anything I'm lacking that I should have?

This is my first time using it and unfortunately the rats in the bin are mixed sexes. I'm feeding tomorrow afternoon and I plan to feed off the males first (hopefully leave just females for the week).

The food I bought off of a rodent breeder that was at the CBRE in Mississauga - and the dish is porcelain I believe (bought it at the dollar store). The Rats that are in the cage are small adults, and I think one might be teetering on medium. I am using some old/ fairly clean substrate left over from my Ball Pythons so Its a mix of aspen, Cyprus, and coco-husk - which leads me to another question.

I've noticed one of the rats chewing on a piece of coco-husk. Is this a safe behavior or can the ingestion of the substrate hurt the rodents?

Thanks for looking and your input.

[Simplex]

Looks good

[RichsBallPythons]

What food is that.

Just make sure it has no hay in it as rats cant digest it well nor like to eat it.

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I'm not 100%.. LOL I bought it off a feeder exhibit as "rat chow," at the CBRE a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks for the tip though!! I didn't know that and I was just browsing WalMart for more rodent food so I will keep an eye out for the ingredients.

Thanks!
Chris.

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Sorry - Re-posted above accidentally

[llovelace]

Set up looks fine to me

[snakesRkewl]

You might look into making a couple of food hoppers for their food, bowls get spilled and pee'd in and worse.... lol

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You might look into making a couple of food hoppers for their food

I was actually thinking about this. That and a hide or something. They seem to like to crush each other into a corner lol! I was wondering if a PVC hide would work (I have an extra one) or do you think they would chew/ ruin it?

Cheers.

[BrianD]

Nice set up... all you need is one or two more and you could breed your own and cut out the middle man. PVC pipe will work just make sure its wide enough for several to get in. Also go outside find some twigs for them to chew own.

I wouldn't worry about making hopper. In my short time span of breeding does seem like they waste alot via a hopper and bowls. You will notice that everyday you will have to fill it up. They dont eat that much. Best to just dump some on the substrate in a clean dry corner.