Can I feed this to my rats?? Hurry

[Xbloodrain67X]

Cow feed 20% protein pellets can I feed them to my rats?

[babyknees]

I believe that is too much protein. But other people with more experience might chime in.

[Jessica Loesch]

i would agree with babyknees

[Xbloodrain67X]

Well rats are supposed to have 14-18% but this is 20% and $8 for 50lb bag pellets!

[Jessica Loesch]

And I'm sure you can find 18% for the same price if not a dollar more in hog feed.

[Xbloodrain67X]

And I'm sure you can find 18% for the same price if not a dollar more in hog feed.

Well, I got it and my rats love it. I'm monitoring all my breeders weights to see if it's harmful to them.

[Driver]

Not to hijack this thread but I am just curious as to what will to much protein do to rats?

[jasbus]

19% protein is ideal. Some say 17-18. I use 19 myself. High protein causes liver damage and hot spots/balding spots, much like dogs get.
Most cattle cube has urea in it, which is lethal to rodents over time. You can get them without urea, but it's not as common or as cheap.
I've been breeding all kinds of rodents since 1985, I've tried everything and anything available back before rodent specific foods were available to the public.
In my opinion, if you're gonna cheap out and not spend a little extra on what should be fed to them, you should use 17% hog feed. But, Rodent blocks are best.

[Rhasputin]

20% isn't going to hurt them, but the feed probably doesn't contain the other nutrients and vitamins that your rats need to thrive.

[Xbloodrain67X]

I'll get back to you guys in 1 week to tell you the results of weight gain/loss of my breeders who I'm feeding it too.