Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I noticed you mentioned quality below concerning mice. Well as far a rats go what do you consider quality? I'm assume you are refering to what one is feeding their rodents, yes? I started feeding mine a pet quality seed/oats and whatever else they put in it mix. The problem is its $5 a bag per lb. which don't go far. This lasted a couple of weeks for me then i started giving them a lab block type food along with the pet mix. After reading about the ole roy dog fod thing a few seem to be using, i have since started adding some of my dogs dry food in with the lab blocks. I have done away with the seed mix and using the dog food (Frooms) and the lab blocks only now. Is this a common practice with the typical rodent breeder? I just want whats best for my rats as this is what i feed my snakes. The rats also get fresh vegies every few days, what ever we have lying in the crisper, Romaine lettuce,carrots, broccli you know what i mean. Does this diet sound god enough? Also how much food should i be giving a pair of rats, as of now they get as much as they want the bowl is always full. Thanks for your help, now and in the past you've made my life a litle easier. Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
0.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

I have always fed lab block from a local breeder. Good lab block is already balanced. Feeding treats, veggies, seeds, or fruit actually unbalances it.
That said, many people do feed treats, veggies, seeds, or fruit. With no appearent harm, except it is more expensive and sometimes if overdone can lead to diarreha.
Many people feed dog food or dog food with extras. When you read the ingrediants on the dog food bags and the lab blocks you see they are very similar if not the same. Oddly, rats seem to do better on the cheaper brands of dog food - more cereals and less animal protien.
There have been discussions here to avoid dog food with red dye. It doesn't hurt the dogs or rats, but snakes can not metabolize the dye. At least that is what is said. I'm not a vet or biologist, I don't know that first hand. It is fairly easy to avoid though.

DeMak

>>I have always fed lab block from a local breeder. Good lab block is already balanced. Feeding treats, veggies, seeds, or fruit actually unbalances it.
>>That said, many people do feed treats, veggies, seeds, or fruit. With no appearent harm, except it is more expensive and sometimes if overdone can lead to diarreha.
>>Many people feed dog food or dog food with extras. When you read the ingrediants on the dog food bags and the lab blocks you see they are very similar if not the same. Oddly, rats seem to do better on the cheaper brands of dog food - more cereals and less animal protien.
>>There have been discussions here to avoid dog food with red dye. It doesn't hurt the dogs or rats, but snakes can not metabolize the dye. At least that is what is said. I'm not a vet or biologist, I don't know that first hand. It is fairly easy to avoid though.
>>
>>DeMak

DeMak, thanks for the heads up on the dye issue, i'll have to look into this. The Frooms dog food i have been using is of a good quality so i doubt there is any dye in it, as it is nowhere near red. The ceral to protien ratio i'll also have to check on. Any ideas on how much i should be feeding them or just let them eat as much as they want? Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
0.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

Hey I used to breed rats commercially (not a huge set up about 1000 a month) I fed Mazuri but as stated earlier, nost dig foods are very similar if you take the time to check the ingredients and nutrient percentages. As far as how much, feed them whatever they will eat. Heres a little tip that may help conserve some food. Instead of a bowl or dish get yourself some hardware cloth (wire mesh with 1/2 x 1/2 squares available at any lowes or home depot near the chicken wire) and fashion yourself a basket with a lid that can hang on the side of the aquairium and fill that with the dog food or whatever else your feeding.This way the rats have to bite chunks off and eat them, rats are notorious for burying the food and not eating it. This not only wastes food but it contributes to the smell of the tank. Hope thiis helps sorry so long.

As usual, Sonya's comments are right on. It used to kill me to throw out food when cleaning cages. After all, saving money IS atleast part of the reason to raise your own feeders. Incremental expenses can eat into savings real fast.
DeMak

>>Hey I used to breed rats commercially (not a huge set up about 1000 a month) I fed Mazuri but as stated earlier, nost dig foods are very similar if you take the time to check the ingredients and nutrient percentages. As far as how much, feed them whatever they will eat. Heres a little tip that may help conserve some food. Instead of a bowl or dish get yourself some hardware cloth (wire mesh with 1/2 x 1/2 squares available at any lowes or home depot near the chicken wire) and fashion yourself a basket with a lid that can hang on the side of the aquairium and fill that with the dog food or whatever else your feeding.This way the rats have to bite chunks off and eat them, rats are notorious for burying the food and not eating it. This not only wastes food but it contributes to the smell of the tank. Hope thiis helps sorry so long.

Thanx for the info on a basket, i just cleaned the tank out lastnite and noticed a bunch of wasted blocks. Do you have a pic available for reference, the hardware cloth is in the garage as is. I can always find a use for that stuff. I got ideas brewing already, do you have dimensions which you have found ideal? Ma and pa rat w/14 little ones are in a 20L. Thanx again, Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
0.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

Sorry I have any pics but what I do is teke a piece of hardware cloth that is about six inches longer than the tank is tall and bend it into a rectangle. I make mine about two inches thick and about six inches wide that way three or four rats can feed at the same time without fighting. Once you have the cloth bent into a rectangle wire the seam together and wire a bottom on it. Now cut off three sides of the top leaving a six inch chunk on the side you didnt cut. Now you can bend that over the edge of the tank and t makes its own hanger. Leave the basket about three inches from the bottom of the tank and make sure it sits tight against the top or put a lid on it so that the rats cant climb to the top and get it or they will carry the food away and bury it. Hope ths helps feel free to ask any more questions I will help if I can.

>>Sorry I have any pics but what I do is teke a piece of hardware cloth that is about six inches longer than the tank is tall and bend it into a rectangle. I make mine about two inches thick and about six inches wide that way three or four rats can feed at the same time without fighting. Once you have the cloth bent into a rectangle wire the seam together and wire a bottom on it. Now cut off three sides of the top leaving a six inch chunk on the side you didnt cut. Now you can bend that over the edge of the tank and t makes its own hanger. Leave the basket about three inches from the bottom of the tank and make sure it sits tight against the top or put a lid on it so that the rats cant climb to the top and get it or they will carry the food away and bury it. Hope ths helps feel free to ask any more questions I will help if I can.

I get the picture, do you think 1/4" cloth will work? I like the whole idea and its 1 less thing to clutter the tank with. Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
0.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

I have never tried the 1/4 inch but I cant see why that wouldnt work.

>>I have never tried the 1/4 inch but I cant see why that wouldnt work.

After today i will have the rats seperated. I will just make 1 food bin to start with and see if it works. Thanks for the help.
Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
0.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

>>>>I have never tried the 1/4 inch but I cant see why that wouldnt work.
>>

I think you might find that the 1/4" mesh is too tight for rats to feed through. Mice will though. For rats use 1/2". And don't use 1/2" for mice or the little monsters climb up through the wire and sit in (and piss in) the food that way.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

For my rats (I have a small operation used to feed my snakes and some other peoples) I use Lab Block with dry chunk dog food. I use 50 lbs. Lab Block, 75-80 lbs. dry dog food. It works great. That lasts me about a month total cost=$32.00. The method of feed dispense is of critical importance however. Look back though some posts and find where I believe DeMak shows his "drop-in feeder" bin. Or if using a rack, visit the photo gallery and look at some of the rack designs that have wire "cloth" or mesh (I use 1/4" for all my rodents mice, and rats and it works very well). This way there is almost no loss of food due to "waste mix - food" and your food budget will stretch even further.
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