I only have 2 rats but I use mazuri. When I did breed I never ran into any kind of problem. I don't know if thats the food, but personally I don't see why you wouldn't use it. I mean if you can't locate it I get that, but to me it seems to be the best for them. I also notice it seems like they enjoy it quite a bit. And 25 bucks for a 50lb bag isn't that bad. I personally am a person of "piece of mind," and knowing there eating the best leaves one less problem to go wrong during breeding. Kind of a no brainer for me...