i'm a 1st year aprentice so i can get free shavings from the rouder or plainer if i wanted.
i don't know though we work with treated oak and maple would that be bad for rats

couldn't i just shred newspaper and use that for a substrate??
so your solution for the smell is to change there substrate frequently???
are u sure this will work?
smell is an issue because i will be keeping them in my basement (where I live)