These area all very good points. When I say refilling, I'm referring to refilling bottles. I do it usually once a day so that they never get empty. I am keeping them on pine, so I'll probably try switching to aspen. The rats that I got are from the local pet store that I have posted about in other threads. It is owned and operated my a close friend of mine who breeds his own snakes, and has worked for a commercial rat breeder in the past. He has helped me kinda sift through and pick some of the healthier looking, young rats when they come in from his suppliers. He also knows his suppliers very well, so he can tell he these aren't worth trying to keep, or these should be ok. I have a rack setup, and rats coming in go in there own tub as a group, and don't get mixed. Granted it isn't the best quarantine process, but it isn't throwing them all together either. That is definitely something that I need to look at as well. Thank you all so much for your replies. I may take this last one that is showing signs of illness somewhere to get her checked out.

p.s. The snakes that ate the sick rats are ones that I've never had turn down a meal. they eat every week and still come out of the box like they're hungry. I've seen one eat three rats in one setting. Though that was only once, and is not my common practice. So she does get a full healthy rat every week just like the rest.