Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am now feeding my rats "tasty nuggets" DOG FOOD FROM safeway...$9.00/50 lbs CHEAP!!!

would you say I would get more production and thus worth it if I switched to the highly priced lab block

that would essentially double/triple my food $$.. but would it be worth it... ore do I just keep feding crappy dog food (which has no red dye)

Thanks
PatrickR

i get mazuri rodent breeder food 6f5m30 from a local feed store for 20.00 a bag. 50 lb bags. its the best food you can feed them and only double the price but i would say worth it. go to mazuri.com and look for a local dealer they will have listed on there site. good luck!

Just because its the "best food for them" doesnt mean it will increase my production enoguh to justify doubleing my food cost

WILL IT INCREASE MY PRODUCTION ENOUGH TO OFFSET THE EXTRA COST?

Only you can really determine that....so many factors like wasted food etc. I know you have hoppers but what size holes?

Maybe try a bag of blocks?

For a cheaper source of blocks, see if you can find a local rodent breeder, one that supplies pet stores. Here in central CA, minimum order from the feed plant is 4 tons, I go to one of two local rodent companies and get 50 lb sacks for under $15.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
13.24 BRB
12.14 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

all grate on my hoppers/rack is 1/2"x1/2"

the dog food works great from that standpoint

Well then you may not see enough of an improvement to justify the added cost.

Just a few questions/points to ponder:

Typical litter size = 12? Maybe less for tub bred)
Typical litter frequency = 26 days (for tub bred with males and females kept together)

Most important (IMO), How healthy are your rats? Nice and plump. Remember, you're raising them as food for your prized snakes.

One last thought, how long does 50 lb of dog food last for how many rats? A while back, before I increased production, I had around 200 each mice and rats. Back then I went through about 5 1/2 pounds of rodent blocks a day.

yearly usage = 40 bags
40*50/365 = 5.48
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
13.24 BRB
12.14 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I have to figure that out... but... I figure if I buy 500,000lbs of dog food (10-- 50lb bags) and that cost me $100... and bedding is $5 for 50 lbs... as long as I can sell $100 worth of rats by at least the end of what it takes me to get rid of the 10 bags of food... then Im in the green... considering that the last SMALL order I placed netted me 185 total.. I think I'm doing ok LOL

I buy 50lbs of horse feed that has a molasses,corn,oats etc in it, i combine that with dog/cat food that of pedigree and special kitty. I also give the rats human food noodles,rice, banannas,fruits etc the amount of breeding has to do with when i place the male in with the females for me as i don't keep them together all the time. I alternate my males. I keep track of the litters i have each month as well. Nov i had 45 babies and december was dry and Jan i had 12 and this month i have 3 moms and over 20 at this known time. It fluxuates for me no matter what i do. I like having it spaced out.
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"Have you hugged your snake lately?"

Using Mazuri or Harlan will increase production if all your other factors are good (temps,ventilation,clean bedding,proper watering system,etc).And nothing says you have to give up using the dog food-how about mixing 1 bag of Mazuri with 1 bag of your dog food,that way you are getting all the essentials plus not paying too much.Good luck -Brian