gotta ask. have you considered ASF's?

From what you describe... especially the cleaning part, rats aren't going to be much better. in my opinion, rats smell even worse then mice, because they are bigger, so there is a lot more pee and poop compared to mice! ASF tubs can go at least 2 - 3 weeks before needing to be cleaned. and when they do need to be cleaned, they still don't stink.

I have 8 ball pythons, a kingsnake, and a cornsnake. they ALL love the asf's! plus even when full grown they are not to0 big for a 800+ gram ball python.... so u can continue to feed live or prekilled.

they are the best moms / dads in the world!