Considering Breeding Rats

[snakesRkewl]

Yes it's kiln dried, I figured everyone would assume that? The thicker stuff is for chickens/horses/etc. The finer stuff is for rabbits, rats, etc.

I understand most people wouldn't use pine for rats, but I've been keeping rats on it for 3 years. I've got one female who will be three next month, a male that is probably already three, if not he's really close, I'm not sure what month he was born I got him as a small adult. I've never had a rat die-due to old age-under 2.5 years old, so in my experience, I don't think pine is any more dangerous than aspen/pellets/corn cob/etc. I did bring home a pet store plague that wiped out a bunch of my rats about two years ago, other wise I would have had a lot more rats make it to old age.

I have had to tell numerous people not to use regular pine, so I don't usually assume when someone says pine that they are using kiln dried.
I won't use any pine product period, but that's just me.
I also have rats I can't replace, I can't go around town, and get the types of rats I breed so I just am extra careful with my bedding.
Kiln dried pine has been used by many and is generally acceptable for rats, just don't tell that to a rattery that breeds

[anatess]

With your ASFs or rats? My rats produce 12-13 pretty regularly, and my ASFs produce 17-18 almost every time.

ASF's... my breeders are over a year old now... hmm, actually, they will be 2 years old in October! They used to make about 16 each for a few months, now they only make around 12. 2 weeks ago one of them only had 8. It's enough for my needs. I only have 3 bps, so we only need 3 rats a week.

The breeder ASFs are my pets.

[snakesRkewl]

ASF's... my breeders are over a year old now... hmm, actually, they will be 2 years old in October! They used to make about 16 each for a few months, now they only make around 12. 2 weeks ago one of them only had 8. It's enough for my needs. I only have 3 bps, so we only need 3 rats a week.

The breeder ASFs are my pets.

If your asf's are dropping that small of litters and are that age you might consider holding a new group over before you end up with no babies.

[SlitherinSisters]

I have had to tell numerous people not to use regular pine, so I don't usually assume when someone says pine that they are using kiln dried.
I won't use any pine product period, but that's just me.
I also have rats I can't replace, I can't go around town, and get the types of rats I breed so I just am extra careful with my bedding.
Kiln dried pine has been used by many and is generally acceptable for rats, just don't tell that to a rattery that breeds

In my experience I haven't had any issues with it, so I'll continue using it. And I suppose you're right not to assume anything

Oh my gosh no kidding about not letting that slip to rattery people!!! I've been chewed out enough! I kinda sorta lied to a breeder about that so I could get some rats..... I also neglected to say I breed rats or have snakes. I did say that I've never had problems with over population from "accidental" breedings and that I would never feed off the rat or get rid of it. I didn't lie about that! I hate that just because we own snakes we are automatically disqualified from adopting rats

If your asf's are dropping that small of litters and are that age you might consider holding a new group over before you end up with no babies.

I agree! Those are tiny litters for ASFs

[anatess]

If your asf's are dropping that small of litters and are that age you might consider holding a new group over before you end up with no babies.

I just bought a new set from Mike Cavanaugh last week because I have 3 new baby snakes!