Purina Lab diet #5008

[escomaya]

Searched everywhere for Mazuri 6F, No place can get it for me. Best result a feed store called a lab place to see if they could get me Mazuri,No but they use #5008 and said its just as good. I ordered 2 bags of 50lb for $27 each

I just looked up the 5008 and seen that its protein is 23% ????????
Isnt that too high

Has anyone tried this diet for rats and ASF? How did it work out

[littleindiangirl]

It is quite a bit high for rats.

I'm surprised they cant get it for you. Generally, any store that carries Purina brand will be able to order Mazuri. I think they didnt try hard enough.

[escomaya]

yea I was pretty upset, the only thing I could find was the Mazuri Rodent Diet- which comes as pellets 25lb for $25, I need lab blocks to hold in my hopper

If the lab uses it I figured "SURE it must be pretty good, order me 2 bags". Now Im concerned as I just seen protein 23%

Anyone near Boston Mass that can get their hands on mazuri or harlan or anything that you recommend lol

I called the 1st 4 dealers on the mazuri dealer locator all of them said NO 6F or 9F, and the last one recommended the purina 5008..........SHOULD I CANCEL THE ORDER?????

[littleindiangirl]

Have you tried any feed stores? I did a google search for "boston mass feed store" and got a lot of results. I would call around to them and see if they are Purina dealers.

Tractor supply stores can order Kent Rodent feed.

I did a search here for your area...
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...AndResultsView

[frankykeno]

23% should be okay for babies and lactating females but it's a bit high for your other rats. You might want to feed it only to those first two groups and look for something else to feed your adults, feeders and non-lactating females. Too much protein over a long period of time tends to end up with horrible skin and coat protein sensitivity issues. Probably doesn't hurt them as feeders but it's nasty to look at and not really nice for the rats to live with as they scratch a lot. I'd avoid that happening.

[Shadera]

I was able to get a bag of that stuff and will never use it again. Halfway through, my rats are losing hair and digging at themselves constantly. Back to the way more expensive Harlan I go.

[escomaya]

WOW really, its that bad?? I have ASF and rats, so this stuff would only be good for the preggos and the babies until they are grown only? Why would the lab use this as their primary food and suggest it?

[Shadera]

I have no idea on that one. Maybe they have rats that are somehow more resistant to the extra protein? Anywhoo..Yes, it's that bad. (for me) I had nice shiny smooth coats on the Harlan, and jumped at the cheaper product when it presented itself because I'm always looking for something that will get the job done equally as well but at less than the buck a pound I currently pay. I've been breeding my own feeders since last year and this is the first issue I've seen with coat and skin problems. My mice are seeming to be okay with it, but the rats and asfs aren't so happy.

[littleindiangirl]

The 5008 is (i believe) geared towards mice.

[Clear]

If you have any labs around you call and see if they use rats, if they use rats i am sure they are buying the mazuri 6F from a local seller and find out who they buy from!