Rat food

[atp151415]

Hey guys, i built a 3 tub rat rack and had some questions before i get my rats

My plan was to find and buy some lab block and some cheap dog food to mix in so it would last longer, and i was wondering which you guys like best and find the cheapest

Also i was planning on just buying a big thing of pine for the bedding. I was also wondering which brand or where at you buy yours

thanks for the replies

[littleindiangirl]

Pine is not the best choice for rat bedding. I know people swear by it, but pine is very comparable to cedar in many respects.

The only pine I would ever use, is pine pellets like Woody pet, Equine fresh. The process used to make these pellets effectively removes most of the harmful phenols, acids, oils and tars that can cause respiratory and liver disease. They absorb moisture and urine VERY well, a little goes a very long way, and I think it is the BEST choice for odor control. Shavings of any wood just don't touch it in my opinion. Love the pellets! (nursing moms get a pile of aspen to nest in )

For rat food, I use Mazuri 6f made by Purina. I love it, and it's relatively cheap for me. Find a purina dealer and they can order it for you.

[ch312]

i also started using mazuri 6f. $22 for 50 lbs...

ive been using the pellet bedding for a couple months now i believe. works great compared to pine and aspen shavings...the proof is in the nose. the pellets break down into dust when they have absorbed moisture aka urine. every week i empty the bedding onto one of my screen lids and sift it. all the moisture laden beddings falls through (because it is now dust, not pellet) along with any poop and the good pellets stay. throw in a little new bedding and its like a complete change

im looking at a cost of likely $2-$3 worth of food and bedding per month for 5 rats and 12 adult mice. i guess thats why my snake gets fed too much

[ShawnT]

I use Pine for bedding.

I emailed Harlan teklad the other day to see if they had a dealer around me, They said no, but gave me this link

Harlan 2018 Rodent Diet, Sani Chips, and Shredded Aspen
http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/d...rand%5Fid=1770

[littleindiangirl]

This is why I refuse to buy Harlan online, for 10 measly bags....
(sorry this is from the link, and the bulk order *it told me I saved 35$)
Item Total: $174.99
Shipping: $131.85
Total: $306.84

It's not even the global diet I prefer....

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I get Mazuri 6 F feed from my local feed store who order it for me! Check Mazuri website to see if there is a dealer near you!

For bedding I use equine fresh (Pine pellets), it really helps cutting down on smell and is not more expensive than a bag of pine shaving.

You can get it at the tractor supply!

Also keep in mind when you think "cheap" for food that everything that goes in your feeders belly will end up in your snakes belly so you want to take that into consideration!

[ShawnT]

This is why I refuse to buy Harlan online, for 10 measly bags....
(sorry this is from the link, and the bulk order *it told me I saved 35$)
Item Total: $174.99
Shipping: $131.85
Total: $306.84

It's not even the global diet I prefer....

I should of said its not good to order online if your buying more than 2 bags...because of the weight. But people just getting started breeding rats....I think it's a good option.

[littleindiangirl]

Well, I've done looking in a lot of different places, even coldbloods.com (which I believe was the best price) and I can't bear to spend that much. I'd rather drive 2 hours both ways to get it myself. A nice bulk amount to last me a half a year.

But it is an option. I would also tell people to check out coldbloods.com for Harlan. Courtland is very prompt in responding and will let you know exactly what your looking at no matter the amount. (no bulk discount though)



edit: website is hard to use, emailing or calling will get you immediate answers.

[atp151415]

Pine is not the best choice for rat bedding. I know people swear by it, but pine is very comparable to cedar in many respects.

The only pine I would ever use, is pine pellets like Woody pet, Equine fresh. The process used to make these pellets effectively removes most of the harmful phenols, acids, oils and tars that can cause respiratory and liver disease. They absorb moisture and urine VERY well, a little goes a very long way, and I think it is the BEST choice for odor control. Shavings of any wood just don't touch it in my opinion. Love the pellets! (nursing moms get a pile of aspen to nest in )

For rat food, I use Mazuri 6f made by Purina. I love it, and it's relatively cheap for me. Find a purina dealer and they can order it for you.

wow, i just called tractor supply and they have that stuff in a 10 lb bag for 4 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


thanks for all the help everyone!!!!!!!!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

wow, i just called tractor supply and they have that stuff in a 10 lb bag for 4 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks for all the help everyone!!!!!!!!

If you are talking about Equine fresh that seems odd, I pay $6.25 for 40lbs at tractor supply, and I don't think the price would vary that much from one store to another.