I have no idea how well this food would work for mice or rats... I only breed ASF's... And I know it is perfect for them. Connie is the expert when it comes to feed with normal rats and mice.
For the hardware cloth, it isn't the 1/2 inch, it is the size under that. can't remember what it is.
Half have glass bottles, half have plastic egg shaped bottles. I prefer the egg shaped bottles because they hold more water then the glass bottles, but unfortunately they don't last forever like the glass bottles do. Will probably go back to all glass.