Quote Originally Posted by kurgan View Post
I'd like to announce the start of my new venture today, I'm selling organic free range feeder rats.
They are kept to the highest welfare standards with daily access to grass and sunlight and fed on organic grain and vegetables and bedded on organically grown straw and recycled shredded newspaper. Each cage is individually climatically controlled.
Stocking densities are kept very low, no more than 5 adults to a 5mx5m cage and their environment is enriched with a variety of toys and audiovisual aids.
They are humanely dispatched before shipping to minimise stress levels light classical music is played at all times.
A premium product comes at a premium price but I don't believe there is a better more ethical product on the market.
My aim is to also supply mice, quail and hamsters by early April 2009
Supplied in bags of 25. International shipping available
The only questions are,

What steps are you taking to ensure that these rats are eating a complete nutritional diet provided by certain lab blocks, and what sources or data are you using to confirm that what you are feeding is nutritionally complete?

Also, straw is known to be extremely dusty and almost promotes the growth of mold and fungi. Rat's lungs are extremely delicate and can't handle the dust or proximity to mold. How would you maintain the dust and mold free environment? Shredded newspaper is not very absorbent and does not control smell well. How are you ensuring the build up of liquid urine and ammonia fumes are under control?

Not badgering you, just curious!