Why do they hate us?

[littleindiangirl]

The rat breeders HATE owners of snakes and reptiles, but why? There's probably a HUGE amount of rat breeding going on that some way involves feeding them off.
Don't you think they would embrace us because of the sheer volume of rats we produce?
Being able to get rid of Myco and megacolon and weak immune systems is dependent on different lines isn't it?

HELLO! Over here! Got TONS of rats! Take your pick!~~ Umm....no... I didn't keep track of who went with who... woops. my bad.

Maybe because of the MAJOR inbreeding we do, it's not logical, because our rats are tainted.

I don't like sites that say "we do not support rats being bred as feeders."
Just go ahead and say your prejudice against natural born predators!
Sorry, ranting.... *calm breathing exercise*

[tigerlily]

Rat breeders do so for the purposes of their animals becoming pets. How would you like your pet dog fed to the local gator farm? The rat breeders want to see their animals placed in homes where they are a loving pet, just like we would like our snakes placed in loving homes.

If you don't like those sites, don't go to them.

I do not enjoy feeding off my rats but I do so knowing that my snakes will thrive. I don't go around yelling I just killed 13 rats, just like I don't appreciate others tell me they use snakes as target practice.

[frankykeno]

Good post Christie. Look the fact is that they see their rats as companion animals and that's just fine with me. Personally I think rats make fantastic pets as well as a supplier of perfect food for our snakes. It's all about degrees....they are at one end, we're at the other but even within feeder breeders there's differences. The fact that I name and retire breeders would be to some a silly thing but that's okay with me...I do it my way...they do it their way. I figure as long as any living creature is given proper care and respect for it's role, whatever that is, then it's all good.

[Argentra]

Exactly! Kudos Joanna!

The main thing is how you treat your colony. I know of some places that toss rats or mice into huge tubs with no hiding places or water. Others treat their breeders as pets. It really shouldn't matter, pet or food, as long as the rodents are given the respect and care they deserve.

I myself own three rats and they are my darlings. I now have three mice as well who are very cute, and if they breed then great! Supplemental food. If not, that's ok too, I'll still get my feeders from the store. (BTW their names are Decaff, Cream and Sugar ...man are they hyper )

The breeder I got my rats from also owns three snakes, but would never feed any rats to them. (maybe that's why they are corns). One of the rare few that sees both sides to the coin.

[mmchoppers]

I hate rats and am glad I feed them off.

[rabernet]

I hate rats and am glad I feed them off.

Wow!

[frankykeno]

I hate rats and am glad I feed them off.

Do you raise your own feeders? How do you properly raise something you "hate"? In the end, without those "hated" rodents you really wouldn't have to worry dear...your snake would be quite...dead.

[mmchoppers]

They stink and are disgusting, I just don't like them. And yes I breed and raise my own feeder, which are probly better cared for than most. Just after cleaning I feel sick.

[AkivaSmith]

I wonder how they feel about the MILLIONS of rats that are used and destroyed by the research industry every year?

[frankykeno]

They stink and are disgusting, I just don't like them. And yes I breed and raise my own feeder, which are probly better cared for than most. Just after cleaning I feel sick.

Hmmm that's rather odd. I have a decent sized group of breeders and feeders and can't recall them stinking at all. In fact I'd say a group of 60 or 70 of them produce less odor than one nasty cat litter box on average. Perhaps you need to have a look at how you are keeping your colony is they are creating that much bad odor.