Rats are generally less stinky than mice. Once or twice a week of bedding change is ideal to keep the smell down - dusting the enclosure with baking soda helps too.
If you can find some and it's legal in your state, African Soft Furred Rats are good - they take a while to grow and can not outgrow your ball python so that if you got the right amount of breeder females, you shouldn't have a problem with over-production.
You can purchase cheap food and bedding at a feed store in your area. Feed stores usually cater to agricultural farmers/ranchers/etc. Yeah, you might think, I live in the city... I live in the city too and was very surprised to find a feed store 2 miles from my house. So, maybe you got one there too.
I have a small colony of ASFs. I purchase Mazuri 6F at $23 for a giant bag that lasts me about 4 months. The feed store special orders it for me for no extra charge. Then I get kiln-dried pine for $7.50 for a giant bag that lasts me for 2 months.
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