Ok, big issues and not just with the op.. Are you guys seriously telling someone to gra a momma rat by the tail?? You can cause serious damage to them by grabbing by the tail. Plus if the rats are not used to being handled thats asking for a bite.. Now my other issue is how are you going to breed or own something you seem to have issues in caring for? I run numberous 1.4 colonies and even a single 1.4 with proper rat block feed and bedding materials, your still gonna be spending as much as just buying feeders from someone or a petstore. Sorry to come off harsh but its a simple fact, you own animals that eat rats.. Kinda gotta step up and roll with the punches...