When does it start becoming economical to breed your own rats?

[Tigerhawk]

I started breeding when I hit the twenty snake mark. I order frozen in bulk. However, I have a few snakes that take live only. So I keep a few few females for breeding. I do prepare some of the live as frozen thawed as well. If you get into breeding you will want to breed a few for convenience. I will admit I don't like rats. The snakes are so much easier to care for. Their bites are no where as bad as a bite from a rat. However to do what I want and to have the convience of the live feeders. I Do what I must.

[se7en]

i just dropped $105 on this week's ration of rats.

i have 62 snakes to feed, so per snake, it's not too bad, but next time i move, i'm getting a house with a yard.

i will then buy one of those little sheds they sell at home depot, and raise rats in it.

[Kokorobosoi]

This is Frankie. He was supposed to be a feeder. No one wanted him so as a fuzzy... I fed him baby formula I had in the pantry. About two days in he gained a name. And hubby bought him a cage (at that point he lived in a cardboard box.

Now he is an a huge cage with fleece and toys and organic food.... and two friends. I have an issue with cute feeders becoming cute pets. Now I request the ugly or plain white ones.

Beware. When raising your own the risk of feeders becoming friends gets bigger!!


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[se7en]

how do you prevent frankie from pooping everywhere?

[voodoolamb]

With a little work most rats can be litter trained.

[PitOnTheProwl]

how do you prevent frankie from pooping everywhere?

Calm relaxed rats don't poo all the time.
The more nervous the more they go.

[Kokorobosoi]

Frankie won't poo if he isn't stressed. Pee? Well I didn't neuter him, so he does mark me. It can be reduced by using a shirt or fleece cloth that already smells like rat.


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[Wolfchan]

I'm with Eric from the first page...my time is worth more to me than the time and investment it would take to raise my own. I've had as many as 26 snakes in my collection and I've found it best for me to place large-ish online orders and fill up my freezer.

I DO love rats, but given my occupation, I wind up spending a lot of money at the vet when I have rats too. >.>

[distaff]

Frankie is adorable!

My colony so far, is two males. I feed Oxbow, and bought a Critter Nation for them. No savings there! Best part is having one on my shoulder. They are fun. Love to watch the way they use their little hands. I also like to watch their expressions - such sweet inquisitive little faces.

[Kokorobosoi]

Well as you could see Frankie was eating the chicken off my dinner plate. LOL!!!

I have three males, one female separate. She would have a friend, but she has a habit of amputating toes so she lives without any girlfriends.


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