Bedding and other questions

[bruno21447]

K so im going to start breeding rats. I got two racks that I have built and want to do this the best way. I have seen so many different answers and comments on bedding. I want the best way to keep down the smell (yes I know cleaning is best way). I have seen some people say pine is the best for this but seen alot of people say it is not good to use? So is it ok? what is best kiln pine? pine pellets?Also seen a few people say give them little bit of vanilla extract? how much and does it work? And then I have looked at a watering system at beanfarm.com looks like to do two racks is about $80 is that average price? also is there better place to get a system? sorry just trying to do this right the first time and not have to redo everything down the road.Any other hints on breeding rats would be much appreciated.

[MootWorm]

K so im going to start breeding rats. I got two racks that I have built and want to do this the best way. I have seen so many different answers and comments on bedding. I want the best way to keep down the smell (yes I know cleaning is best way). I have seen some people say pine is the best for this but seen alot of people say it is not good to use? So is it ok? what is best kiln pine? pine pellets?Also seen a few people say give them little bit of vanilla extract? how much and does it work? And then I have looked at a watering system at beanfarm.com looks like to do two racks is about $80 is that average price? also is there better place to get a system? sorry just trying to do this right the first time and not have to redo everything down the road.Any other hints on breeding rats would be much appreciated.

I use kiln dried pine without issue. Not sure what brand it is, I just get it at my local feed store. There isn't much noticeable smell in my rat room aside from the bedding, which I kind of like I've never used vanilla, so I can't help you there. I'm currently in the process of outfitting two racks with a watering system. Cheapest place is here: http://www.klubertanz.com/CatalogMain.htm. I got my tubing from home depot as well as my t-connectors. Much cheaper, and I don't have to pay shipping. I think 50 ft of tubing was around 8 bucks. I opted to use my own bucket for water, so if you go that route, be sure to get the tank valve. Don't try to silicone a piece of tubing to the bucket like I did :/

Also, I like to feed a varied diet. Though it's not necessary, I feel like my rats get an extra boost from them. 50 pounds of oats is only 15 bucks, and it lasts me quite awhile. I give them leftover veggies and cooked or raw pasta as well. Pretty much anything we don't finish lol. Mine seem very healthy, shiny coats, bright eyes and large litters. You'll probably spend some time figuring out what works best for your situation. Best of luck.

[bruno21447]

thank you that helps alot Ill check out the website and hit up home depot

[satomi325]

Kiln dried pine is the best to keep odor down. I use kiln dried pine and the rats seem to like it as well. Untreated pine is toxic to rodents, so don't use it. When it's not dried, the oils are still in the pine, and the oils are dangerous.

I use America's Choice Eco-Flakes. I like it a lot compared to other wood shavings. The pieces are very small, and absorbs very well. I get mine at the local feed store for $6 for 3cu/ft

I used to use Pine pellets (wood stove pellets or horse stall pellets), but back when I was using it, I was using giant sterillite stand alone tubs, so it got really heavy for me to manage. It worked really nice to keep odors down and when it got wet, it broke down into sawdust.

Between the two, my rats seem to favor the Eco-Flakes. They were much more 'comfortable' and easier to nest. The pellets were hard and not as easy for them to nest.

Vanilla Extract works. At least for my rats, they do. I just do a couple drops in the 16oz water bottles, so I do a spoonful or two for the gravity feeders.


I haven't seen any difference, but I hear putting some baking soda under the bedding helps with the odor as well.

The most important part of keeping rodents is having good air flow. Air flow keeps the smell significantly lower compared to still stagnant air. Not to mention it will prevent ammonia build up and your rats from getting RI.
So I suggest keeping a fan or air purifier blowing in the same room with them at all times.

I got my watering system from Freedom Breeder, but I saved a lot because they're local to me. Reptile Basics also carries watering systems.

I suggest using a lab block such as Mazuri or Harlan to feed. They are specially formulated for breeding, nursing, and growing rats.

[sorraia]

I’m using kiln-dried pine. The problem with “pine” is the presence of harmful phenols, naturally found in the wood. These volatile compounds have been known to cause respiratory problems, and even cancer. This is also why cedar shouldn’t be used (I guess it has a higher concentration of phenols than pine). When the pine is kiln dried, it is heated up and the volatile phenols evaporate out, rendering it safer (I wouldn’t say 100% of the phenols are gone, but less than if it was not kiln dried). Another option is aspen, which is a hardwood and doesn’t contain phenols. Aspen tends to be more expensive and less readily available though. For me personally I can’t use aspen because it causes my allergies to act up (pine does too, but to a lesser extent than aspen).

I have not had a lot of problem with smell. I clean out the bins once a week. As long as you are keeping them clean and not overcrowding them (the more rats in a bin, the quicker they’ll foul up the bedding), you shouldn’t have too much trouble with odor. Also… air circulation and venting are important to keep smell down.

For a watering system, I just bought the parts from Reptile Basics. If I’m remembering right, it cost me about $30 for one 6-bin rack. I didn’t buy their water reservoir, instead I’m using a flat-sided kitty litter bucket.

[JohnNJ]

Windows really help with the smell. Yep, lots of open windows. And a few fans. And maybe some Airwick. Oh, and Fabreze is good.

Try feeding off all of the rats. That one always eliminates the smell. Good luck!

[bruno21447]

Thanx for all the help. I went to IFA and got kiln dried pine today and they had bags of Mazuri so got some of that also. Will look at the few websites you guys mentioned for the water system. Thank you for all the help.The racks are in my garage right now im goin to build a room in there where I can put a heater and fan system if it gets to cold my wife actually gave me permission to bring it in the house lol. She has never smelled a rat room But will just have to clean it more. Yea gonna also try not having to many more than i need if so will sell them off fast there is always people looking in my area for live since most breeders are in salt lake.

[MootWorm]

Just wanted to say I keep mine indoors, right next to a bedroom in fact. You really can't smell anything until you walk in. I'm not sure if it's because the temps are cooler or because my tubs are relatively understocked. But I have about 15 adults, 20 smalls plus babies in addition to 50 or so ASF. If you stick with a good cleaning regiment and add a fan, you can totally keep them inside with fairly low odors.

[bruno21447]

yea really wanted to do ASF but I dont know if it is just people around here's opinions or its that way everywhere but alot of people dont like to buy snakes that are on ASF's. Also where is the best thread about breeding? like numbers wise male to females and the ins and outs of breeding? I got some friends helping me that breed but like to read up also.

[ROACH]

yea really wanted to do ASF but I dont know if it is just people around here's opinions or its that way everywhere but alot of people dont like to buy snakes that are on ASF's. Also where is the best thread about breeding? like numbers wise male to females and the ins and outs of breeding? I got some friends helping me that breed but like to read up also.

I do 1 Male to 3 Females in my racks. Seem to work good for me, but may have to make a few more rack since Ive added some more snakes. As for the ins and outs for breeding....just let them do their thing. LOL. I guess Im not understanding what your asking. The male should breed to them.