Rats are less convenient for me to get, more expensive, and I have 10 adult mice already, 2 of which are preg and 3 others have pinkies from last week. Also, rats vs mice should not make a difference. By 5-7 i mean she ate the first time with me, then 7 days later she fed again, 6 days later she fed again, 5 days later she fed again, and then 5 days later is today. We want feed day to be on Sunday's anyway if we stay on a 7 day schedule, so depending on what people say, we may stay on a 7 day schedule strictly.