Low odor rats and mice for new colonies

[cobweb2000]

Domestic rats and mice do not handle high temps or drafts very well. They are also very susceptible to two airborne viruses carried by wild rodents (Sendai in both and SDA in rats). Both of those diseases will decimate a colony.

'rat farms' smell because they have inadequate space and no air circulation. If you give rats adequate space, lots of air, feed a high quaility diet and clean frequently, they do not smell. Mice have a distinctive odor, but the above will make it tolerable.

The rats you feed your snakes have been domesticated for quite a while; there is a world of difference between a domestic animal and it's wild counterparts living outdoors. I know you said you care for your reptiles more than rodents, but the feeders are sentient living creatures that I firmly believe any responsible keeper should be raising as humanely as possible. That rodent is giving its life so you can keep your herps, is it really that difficult to clean a few cages so you can keep them indoors where you don't have to worry about weather, disease and parasites?

[Ben Biscy]

i would surely use sevin5 lawn treatment around the entire yard, but what i wonder is how will you stop wild rodents from eating their food or contaminating the colony with urine or feces. i have got fleas 1 time before keeping them in a garage

I'm trying to figure out how wild rodents would get into a closed cage (glass tanks and screen tops). NO wild rodents make it too far into the yard, as we have ratters (small dogs) that LOVE to play with them.... For this reason our breeding table is elevated, and will have a "dog guard" surrounding it (sheet metal). The table is not yet fully constructed, as this project is still in the air. As of now I still don't have a supplier.

Anyone familiar with hot shot's no pest strips?

[Ben Biscy]

is it really that difficult to clean a few cages so you can keep them indoors where you don't have to worry about weather, disease and parasites?

Cleaning is a part of life. I have extra enclosures for transferring for cleaning. I would still prefer they be out of the house. High temps in the middle of summer under the carport is about 80-85f. I also won't be starting a colony until the middle or end of may to avoid late frosts. One of the main reasons for housing outside is a family member is deathly afraid of rodents. If they are indoors, she'll be the biggest problem of all.

[llovelace]

I keep all my rodents inside, I buy a months worth of rats at a time still. I breed mice and now asf's. I use equine fesh along with aspen for the breeders. I clean tanks twice a week. You wouldn't know I had rodents if you didn't see the tanks.

[llovelace]

I use a dust pan to scoop up all bedding, replace with new bedding.

[Ben Biscy]

I clean tanks twice a week. You wouldn't know I had rodents if you didn't see the tanks.

Twice a week? My supplier of feeders told me daily cleanings were mandatory...

This definitely makes me feel better.

[Ben Biscy]

I use a dust pan to scoop up all bedding, replace with new bedding.

Do you use equal parts of equine fesh and aspen? If not, what is your mix ratio?

Thank you lovelace, you always seem to be right around the corner!

[Freakie_frog]

Twice a week? My supplier of feeders told me daily cleanings were mandatory...

This definitely makes me feel better.

I breed a couple of hundred rats. In 16x21x7 tubs and I only clean once a week. Everyday is totally out of the question. Now I do clean every 5 days during the summer. The higher temps means they drink more which means they pee more and it turn more smell.

[llovelace]

only for the breeders 1/2 & 1/2 is good, the feeders get only equine fresh.

[llovelace]

I don't know how many snakes you own, but you may want to invest in a trio or two of asf's, low odor, big litters and they won't outgrow your snakes.