Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I just bought a bag of Lab diet 5001 rodent food today because I was almost out of food and needed something. I also ordered some Mazuri 6F5M30 because it is $8 cheaper than the lab diet. Almost $30 a bag after tax seems like alot of money for 50lbs of food. My main concern is having a good diet for production but at the least amount of cost involved. The lab diet has the following.

G U A R A N T E E D A N A L Y S I S
Crude protein not less than 23.0%
Crude fat not less than 4.5%
Crude fiber not more than 6.0%
Ash not more than 8.0%
Added minerals not more than 2.5%

I thought the fat was low for breeding purposes. Is there anyone that uses just dog food for mice? I did for rats but mice is a little different. Or maybe what about dog food and also grains. I have access to lots of different grains from the feed mill. I mainly want something that can sit on top of the wire mesh in the racks like lab blocks or dog food. But I could also in grains inside the tub in addition to dog food or ?

Any suggestions? Also has anyone heard of Sunbonnet (sp) rodent food? Good? Bad?

Thanks alot

MarkSd

I am using the exact same thing.

I think that the fat content is fine for mice. I'm having no problems with mine. I even use it for the rats. I add things to make up for it though, I give them ham, or dog treats that have about 8út in it. You can also give them black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts (not to many and unsalted), and those bird sock things you buy and hang outside.

You can also give them a slice of bread soaked in olive oil to up the fat intake.

I personally wouldn't use just dog food for any animal, after finding out what meat by-products are. And my dogs only get the best, that has whole human grade meats in it.
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 1.0 western hognose

I have recently started mixing 50 lbs Walmart "ol roy dog food" $11, 25 lbs sunflower seed $8, 25 lbs corn $3 and 25 lbs whole oats $2.50 for my mice and they seem to love it. They seem to like the sunflower the most as it is always gone from the bin within 2 days after refilling. I might toss in some sweet feed the next batch I mix up as well.

I was going broke buying lab chow and the darned mice didnt breed one bit better. With the above mix I get about 125 lbs of feed for what I was paying for 50 pounds of lab chow.

your milage may vary

Peter
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Peter and Sara
Beouf River Reptiles

ya, but do you know what those "meat by-products" are?

Anything with the 4D's can be taken from the slaughter house and put into food that has the label "meat by-product" on it.

the 4D's are Disease, Death, Dying, and Disabled. They are then sprayed with a chemical to make SURE that they are not put back into the slaughter house for human consumption.

Then I have even read that euthanized animals, are put in the mix as well. Flea collars, plastic bags and all. As well as the meats that go bad in grocery stores.

Not THAT is not something I would want to feed to my rats/mice that are going to be food for my snakes.

Here are some sites that I read from.

http://www.flintriverranch.org/uck.html
http://www.thefishman.net/dogs/nutrition.htm
http://www.doberdogs.com/foodcht1.html
http://www.thelittlefoxes.net/html/pet_food.html
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 1.0 western hognose

Id sooner not know exactly what "meat by products are" I can well guess. While I dont doubt any of what your saying Its simply a matter of economy for me. I cant afford to pay premium lab food prices when I see no benefit in sight. I have fed snakes on dog food raised rodents for 30 years and never had reason to think that I have had any problem due to it. I did go so far as to mix in some corn and oats anyway!

The mice look happy, they breed, the reptiles eat them and look happy. If my hatchlings were going "woof" and than going belly up Id be more worried about the dead pet syndrome.

On a related note, I dont eat potted meat.

Be well!
Peter
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Peter and Sara
Beouf River Reptiles

I am a truck driver who for four years in the past picked up from Purina in Georgia, just south of Atlanta. I have also picked up from Waltham, Goldkist, and several other feed processing plants. I do know for a fact that chicken feed contains all of the 4D's you mentioned. Tallow as it is called from supermarkets, etc. is rendered down to make a base for your lipstick and face powders and eyeshadows/liners. As with all wives-tales...maybe one grain of sand worth of truth. Along with two tons of twisted facts and in some cases out-right lies. If an idiot messes up and gets him/herself fired from a job at one of the facilities you listed. What is the first thing you suspect that person will do? They certainly will not say nice things about the company. More than likely they will start spreading lies about it. .....NOW! A friend who works as a chemist raises his mice using almost the same mix as the person I wrote this for. Including the old roy dog food. The dye in dog foods are what you watch out for, red dye to be exact. Bye the way. Some Purina plants will let a group of people tour their facility. NOW! For the lady who listed the web sites where she got her information. I saw on another web site that God was blue and green spotted and not even from earth. So take all web info with a grain of salt. What you get may only be one persons personal opinion. Or the may work for PETA.