i was given around a 100 rats this week (not got about 20 left)

Person said they were fed dog food, but wondering if cat food, or say ferret food is ok for them. I would think its ok, but just wondered what long term rat keepers feed them on

on about the dry food, not tins etc
ta

too high in protein for maintainence tbh

ah thanks, what do you recomend?
im going to give carrot sticks etc
the rats are huge (adults) and i want to give them happy lives..
got 6 groups...1.3 most of them

the shunamite diet is a good diet to give and unlike commercial food isnt full of bits that they will leave ...theres ways to make it on google :)

Feed 'em well with good healthy food. 'Stops 'em getting RATTY.

I used Reggie Rat for mine as a base food. Might be a bit pricey for that sort of quantity of rat.

An obvious question perhaps, you have seperated the sexes right? ;)
Imagine a few of them may be preggers already.... great fun when they arrive!

ta, will google it later. im off this week to a place of cricket in road, a industial building that stocks huge sacks of stuff, food etc. where we get chicken and ferret food from so will see what they have

You can buy rat food from the pet shop, they do like meat and fish but it's not good for them if you feed it too regularly, they are better kept on a vegetarian diet.
An high meat diet makes them smell a lot more as well, rats love everything to eat, and they are lovely, how come you got so many?

I used Reggie Rat for mine as a base food. Might be a bit pricey for that sort of quantity of rat.

An obvious question perhaps, you have seperated the sexes right? ;)
Imagine a few of them may be preggers already.... great fun when they arrive!

oh yes i know what sexes they are, they were grouped by the person i got them off, and i know lots of them are pregnant now...

i wont get attached to them (adults yeah) because the young where before me, and now here snake food. (hence i had 100, now got 20 adults only)

You can buy rat food from the pet shop, they do like meat and fish but it's not good for them if you feed it too regularly, they are better kept on a vegetarian diet.
An high meat diet makes them smell a lot more as well, rats love everything to eat, and they are lovely, how come you got so many?

the person i got them off, doesnt keep snakes anymore, so gave them to me.

the adults are nice...there fancy ones, lots of colours etc, faun, black, gray etc but i know nothing about rats, as in pets etc.

the person i got them off, doesnt keep snakes anymore, so gave them to me.

the adults are nice...there fancy ones, lots of colours etc, faun, black, gray etc but i know nothing about rats, as in pets etc.

Poor old ratties, they make lovely pets once you start with them you will soon be hooked, are they tame?

ta, will google it later. im off this week to a place of cricket in road, a industial building that stocks huge sacks of stuff, food etc. where we get chicken and ferret food from so will see what they have
they do a rat pellet but many rats will be bored stupid with a bland diet they like to forage

You can buy rat food from the pet shop, they do like meat and fish but it's not good for them if you feed it too regularly, they are better kept on a vegetarian diet.
An high meat diet makes them smell a lot more as well, rats love everything to eat, and they are lovely, how come you got so many?
they need some meat protein being omnivores ...they love chicken bones as they gnaw them so theres no splinter risk...your girls and the babies will need a bit higher protein too than a maintenance diet ...who you get em off jules i might know them?

Poor old ratties, they make lovely pets once you start with them you will soon be hooked, are they tame?

well the adults are, i wouldnt say pet tame (never had one as a pet, but had hamsters and gerbils etc) but the adults dont bite when i pick them up, just a little nip but doesnt hurt..

i do get the adults out and stroke them etc, as long as not with pups etc..

the young i dont get out and handle, even the older ones as i dont want to get attached to them, the person i got them off, says a girl wants 1.2 as pets.

know people whos kept them as pets...but i want to the adults to eat nice and healthily, least i can do

they do a rat pellet but many rats will be bored stupid with a bland diet they like to forage


they need some meat protein being omnivores ...they love chicken bones as they gnaw them so theres no splinter risk...your girls and the babies will need a bit higher protein too than a maintenance diet ...who you get em off jules i might know them?
thanks, if there happest with meat suppliment thats fine.

whats a good way of making them more stimulated? i know there quite intelligent so would like to keep them a little happier, as i cant get them out all the time, like 1 or 2 as a pet would..

Got them off knighthawk on here, but he doesnt keep snakes anymore.

Im after a little shed for them, say split the shed into a area for them each, so they have more room and fun...just because there not to be pets, doesnt mean i shouldnt treat them mean, so give them some room and stimulation

The food wise, has to be as cheap as possible for them, as long as its ok for them...but i dont want to overdo it on treats etc..with the amount of snakes were taking in etc, its getting too expensive to buy the amount of rats we need each week and its either this, or stop rescuing reptiles etc.

the shunamite contains dog kibble as meat protein so it gives them all they need...never gets left either whereas ive tried many commercial foods and been left with a bowl of chaff
shunamites pretty cheap,,cheaper than the commerical food too tbh
what cages you got for them?

the shunamite contains dog kibble as meat protein so it gives them all they need...never gets left either whereas ive tried many commercial foods and been left with a bowl of chaff
shunamites pretty cheap,,cheaper than the commerical food too tbh
what cages you got for them?

they were fed on dog food before, but was just curious whats best for them.

there in breeder boxes (i think thats what they are) couple of metal mesh cages but 4 long plastic bottom long things...

want them to be happy, even though not pets....and stimulate them a bit

yeah dog food is a little on the high side but for breeders its not too bad...as they get older they will need a lower protein diet...my one off knighthawk is a lovely girl :)
aye they are very clever should be fairly easy to build big rat cages..plenty of space is a must and they like to climb but as you will have babies you will want smaller gaps...or the enclosed rabbit type cages can be used
theres no real one way to do it though many cages and foods etc..they are great pets full of character:) i bet you get attached lol

yeah dog food is a little on the high side but for breeders its not too bad...as they get older they will need a lower protein diet...my one off knighthawk is a lovely girl :)
aye they are very clever should be fairly easy to build big rat cages..plenty of space is a must and they like to climb but as you will have babies you will want smaller gaps...or the enclosed rabbit type cages can be used
theres no real one way to do it though many cages and foods etc..they are great pets full of character:) i bet you get attached lol
ta, i will see what google throws up but might need some more advice

i want to keep the adults healthy and happy, even though the young are for food.

i often get the adults out and talk to them..give them a stroke and make sure there happy etc. and im sure i can see in the parents eyes they dont like it...which upsets me, but with 4 new snakes last week, more coming (at the moment, with the credit crunch, the 1st thing to go are the pets..snakes etc and i have only the same amount of money that i had before, hence needing to breed and stop buying rats from the pet shop)

i dont like what i have to do to the young, but i would rather them be happy while i can. I respect all animal life, even though im a snake keeper

yeah dog food is a little on the high side but for breeders its not too bad...as they get older they will need a lower protein diet...my one off knighthawk is a lovely girl :)
aye they are very clever should be fairly easy to build big rat cages..plenty of space is a must and they like to climb but as you will have babies you will want smaller gaps...or the enclosed rabbit type cages can be used
theres no real one way to do it though many cages and foods etc..they are great pets full of character:) i bet you get attached lol

ah, you dont drive do you? me and our lass wouldnt mind if you could come over and make sure there healthy and happy, can drive you...and then you can see stumpy the disabled snake! ( i wont get rid of him unless i can find a more than perfect home)

Lorna is already attached to the rats...and i dont mean her finger hehe

i dont drive no but could have a good look if we arrange something...might have to steal one hehe
im joking my lot give me enough hassle
lol im not suprised they are such sweethearts rats wait til you see the babies...now them i might wanna steal.....oh dear lol

i dont drive no but could have a good look if we arrange something...might have to steal one hehe
im joking my lot give me enough hassle
lol im not suprised they are such sweethearts rats wait til you see the babies...now them i might wanna steal.....oh dear lol
well...i had a 100 come, and now down to all the adults and a couple of babies, so about 25 left..

the babies were cute. Lorna has made me keep a couple as pets as i missed a couple so they are to be ok.

will bring a big bag to yours *whistles*

will bring a big bag to yours *whistles*

i feel like too. not nice.

Hey

Dog food can be used to bulk up smaller ot weak rats but it's not best to use long term. The best mixes for rats are usually ones you make up yourself (such as shumanite that Amy mentiomed) - however if you're wanting an off-the-shelf product, I would avoid Reggie Rat (it's not the best balence there is) and go for something like Dog kibble (Burns Chicken and Rice etc) mixed with dry pasta, rice cake, seeds etc.

In addition - you should give them some fresh veg each day as they'll get bored stupid with just a dried mix.

If you're still breeding for snake food then I'd be happy to advise you on all areas of care and habitat. I would much prefer people who breed rats for food to be informed and give them a healthy life as far as possible than buy from rodent farms and use the cramped conditions (and breed does back to back) that some people deem acceptable.

You could also have a browse around www.fancy-rats.co.uk/community. Occasionally feeder-breeder is discussed (but not the killing) from the health and habitat of the rat's point of view. Some people are understandable sensitive though being a community of rat-lovers. However - do feel free to PM me if I can advise you in any way. I think it's entirely admirable that you care enough to give them a good life and ultimately it's your snakes diet so I would advise the best dried and fresh diet you can afford.

thanks, yes i was going to add some veg today, having kept rodents before i didnt want to give too much veg. I try to steer away from brand names that are a little daft ie Reggie Rat, as the same type of thing in the reptile world is over priced and often not very good, i see that all the time.

And yes, just because the parents are for breeding snake food, doesnt mean i want them to be machines and suffer etc

Im sure there happy in what there in now, but i wouldnt mind trying to stimulate there brains a little, after all, im hoping there alive a long time and healthy, not suffering being depressed etc.

I see cruelty often in reptile keeping, people thinking its just a stupid pet, doesnt have feedlings...and i guess a rat as more of a complex brain so i want to keep them happy.

I dont like goldfish, but i wouldnt keep one in a tiny round bowl, so the ones i do have, are happy and getting big in the pond

will take a quick look at the rat website, and see what info i can pick up
ta!

Rats are really playful so stimulating them will be lots of fun! :D I've sent you a PM with tons of links in. :thumbsup:

You'd be surprised the amount of enjoyment a rat can get from a pile of newspaper strips and a plastic sputnik - mental little things. :hihi: