My Rat Rack (DUW)

[littleindiangirl]

I wasn't trying to be a smart ass, it was an honest question. When I re-read my post, I decided that it wasn't very clear.

But yes, rats with strong smelling urine can mean certain problems, or simply from diet. It would cause concern for me anyways. :shrugs:

[littleindiangirl]

One more thing, wouldnt they be drinking more cola colored vanilla water because the ratio of vanilla to water was too low to maintain healthy percentage of hydration? Or, rather, they drink more to get the same amount of water.

[SatanicIntention]

Very strong smelling urine can be an indicator of certain diseases such as diabetes, or that they are dehydrated. I know my male rats drink a literal buttload of water, but their wee doesn't smell all that bad(not that it smells GOOD mind you). Maybe he's not drinking as much as he should Jason?

[Hotshot]

I like the wire food holder how did you do this???

[jknudson]

One more thing, wouldnt they be drinking more cola colored vanilla water because the ratio of vanilla to water was too low to maintain healthy percentage of hydration? Or, rather, they drink more to get the same amount of water.

It was only maybe 5ml of vanilla to a 20oz bottle mind you....doesn't take much to make it cola colored. I would consistantly refill his water bottle every two days. But just to end this, we'll say you're right....

Very strong smelling urine can be an indicator of certain diseases such as diabetes, or that they are dehydrated. I know my male rats drink a literal buttload of water, but their wee doesn't smell all that bad(not that it smells GOOD mind you). Maybe he's not drinking as much as he should Jason?

Or it was because I used aspen for my rats, doesn't mask the smell or urine too much. He was kept with two other males in a tub...

He was healthy as a horse, grew him out from a pup to a XL jumbo male... as far as food, he got Mazuri...

Need any more information?

[wilomn]

Do you keep the lights on? Just during the day or 24/7? How big are your litters?

If the litters aren't all that big maybe the temps in the cages are higher than you think. Have you considered turning off, if they're kept on, one or more of the lights for a couple of months and seeing what if any difference there is in litter size?

Of course, with summer coming on, if you turn the lights of now you may just keep the temps the same with the weather warming up and all.

If you keep the room cooled though, it might be interesting to see if the heat from the lights makes any difference in litter size.

Thanks for the info.

[SatanicIntention]

I use aspen for my boys too, but all they smell like is food and Bar BQ, hehe. 6 boys in 1 cage, 4 in another, 2 in another, and one by himself. They all eat Mazuri too, the 9F. I dunno! Maybe you're just more sensitive to the smell than I am(I've done necropsies on dead dogs who have been in someone's trunk for 2 days in Texas summer, so I'm not bothered by alot, LMAO).

[jknudson]

I use aspen for my boys too, but all they smell like is food and Bar BQ, hehe. 6 boys in 1 cage, 4 in another, 2 in another, and one by himself. They all eat Mazuri too, the 9F. I dunno! Maybe you're just more sensitive to the smell than I am(I've done necropsies on dead dogs who have been in someone's trunk for 2 days in Texas summer, so I'm not bothered by alot, LMAO).

I'd say you're less sensitive, blech!

[Peter Williams]

I like the wire food holder how did you do this???

I bought 1/2" hardware cloth from home depot, and cut out pieces, bent them to shape, and presto! Instant food hopper.

Do you keep the lights on? Just during the day or 24/7? How big are your litters?

If the litters aren't all that big maybe the temps in the cages are higher than you think. Have you considered turning off, if they're kept on, one or more of the lights for a couple of months and seeing what if any difference there is in litter size?

Of course, with summer coming on, if you turn the lights of now you may just keep the temps the same with the weather warming up and all.

If you keep the room cooled though, it might be interesting to see if the heat from the lights makes any difference in litter size.

Thanks for the info.

I only have the lights on when I'm in the room doing maintainance. My litters range from 10-20 pinks.

[cassandra]

I've done necropsies on dead dogs who have been in someone's trunk for 2 days in Texas summer, so I'm not bothered by alot, LMAO

TMI!

***
Woo! I'm so excited! Rick is letting me start a rat colony. We cleaned up the garage a bit (where my mouse colony is located), bought some more shelving units and have started work on rat bins, based on the design here.

And and and I found a local feed store that sell Mazuri 6F! Yay!

Ratsers, here I come!