Quote Originally Posted by Argentra View Post
How, tho, do you suggest I work with the other two BPs? Should I try getting them on FT mice, then FT rats OR should I try getting them on PK rats, then FT rats? Nagini (my normal girl) is my picky lady and just got over 400g at a year old. She's my main concern here.

Thanks for the info tho!
Well, it is a double wammy. I'm not sure which is the bigger hurdle, the challenge of switching them from live to FT, or from mice to rats.

I would start working on getting them to take rats first. Then if they switch to rats, try with the FT. I think the stimulation of a live rodent will be instrumental for getting them to switch to rats at all.

I would work with all of them before you commit. Like you said, switching them to rats first, to even see if they will take it.

It will be frustrating, but I think the benefits of raising your own feeders is worth it.


Also, Deborah has a great idea to. To just go with the rat rack right off the bat. It's a smaller footprint, and can house the same if not more number of rats. It will come in handy if you ever need to hold back more females for breeding.

You may find that you'll need more female rats at some point, I would just keep that in mind. While they are generally reliable, you will have times when no one produces. And it sucks, but you may be set back 3 to 4 weeks. Which then it's always nice to have more female rats than snakes. Or just have a nice stock pile of rats in the freezer.

When I started breeding, we still ordered frozen rats online, and as we got going it was a godsend that we had those as a back up. Now, I have enough girls producing, we have a large stock pile in the freezer as a back up.


Just a few more ideas, I'm sure others will be able to chime in as well