I think it's a personal choice. My breeders are all my pets, so they will live out their days fat and happy with a lofty bed, and some younger girls to keep her company when they aren't breeding. I dont think I could bring myself to feed them off live, but perhaps put them to sleep if I my sumatran girl was in need of a biggie rat. Some of mine I just know won't ever be food. Just how I feel about my rats.