I have had pet rats long before I had snakes. I had my first male pet rat 31 yrs ago. There were a few years here and there I didn't have any. I never bred rats before having snakes. Then when I started up with snakes I decided to breed rats because of the poor quality of feeders. I can't stand mice or their smell so they are easy to feed off live or frozen till the snake outgrows them. Feeding off rats is a bit different. I have the pets I breed for feeders and keep out a baby or 2 that are different coats or colors for future breeders. The rest I do not handle more than necessary so as not to become attached. If there is one I have a hard time parting with my darling hubby will monitor that feeding but I am more worried about my snake being safe than worrying about them eating a "special rat". The younger they are when I feed off the easier it is. Once they open their eyes then are weaned I am under their spell. So far I have been able to keep my number of adults under control but I can always make room for one more rat. Compared to my birds, dogs, ferrets, snakes, fish, Chameleon and Bearded Dragon the rats have a relatively short life span so if I stop raising them to adults the numbers dwindle quickly.