Rat breeding advice

[Aussie-Pride]

I just got a pair of rats today to start up breeding for my snakes so i don't have to pay these shocking prices pets shops are asking, I'm just wondering if there's any tips people that have done this ave for me.. I got three 80L tubs click clack style from repco $10 each bargin if you ask me, I've put holes in the top and covered them with metal fly screen so the buggers can't have a chew on the holes and try and escape ( i don't think they can reach but just to be safe)..

I'm using saw dust as bedding and have a shoe box for a hide, food bowl, and water bowl am i missing anything?? When should the magic start happening.. Any tips would be much appreciated.

Scratch the food,water bowls got told there a bad idea, and yes i did post this same thing yesterday i just don't know how to bump it. what food can i give them..

Any advice or am i doing everything sweet??

Cheers

 

[mysnakesau]

I replied to your other post, but unfortunately for pet shops they have to charge what they do, or they will go backwards. Maybe they should consider buying bulk supplies from the likes of Rodent Farm, but from Pisces? They are shipped out of QLD and come in pretty packaging. They have to order a certain amount and then they want to make sure their order is worth the freight they pay. So while I agree, their prices are ridiculously expensive, so is their wholesaler they are buying from. Almost not worth buying in the first place but the demand is obviously there or they wouldn't bother.

 

[Aussie-Pride]

yeah thanks for that i got the washers to put around the water bottle.. yeah I fully agree with you everyone has to make money but where I'm from it's cheaper to by live rats then the dead ones lol it's a joke. There obviously making money of it otherwise they wouldn't be selling them but there not taking my money for much longer!!

 

[nagini-baby]

i feed mine biomare, dog food, bird seed, and veg scraps as we have dogs and birds they get the left overs so its pretty cost effective for us, bubs take around 22 days to grow before they are born so if you see them mating start counting...

 

[mysnakesau]

I feed mine biomare, and a mix of wildbird seed and weetbix once a week as a treat. They love it. They love the dog bikkies too, but I found my animals don't thrive just on dog biscuits alone. I don't know why or what was wrong with the dog food but my rats wasted away to bag of bones when I fed them solely on that. Made the switch to Biomare and they seem very happy.

 

[Aussie-Pride]

Yeah i got a bag of biomare and some sunflower seed mix the pet shop chick recommended. I just read that dog biscuits are good for protein and when the females are going through pregnancy so I'll have to go grab some. Is there any fruits, veggies in particular that i should be giving them.. Thanks a zillion for your help much appreciated.

 

[mysnakesau]

Not should, but I am sure they would love to eat anything you have to offer. Apples, carrot tops or inside of pumpkin that you were going to throw away, they'll eat it. Even scrap bones - after dinner when you are finished with your meal, the rats would gladly clean up the bones and lick the yoghurt container out. They won't spill a drop.

 

[Aussie-Pride]

haha so basically it's time to start a scrapes bowl labeled rat scrapes lol the misses didn't like me having two wait till i have 22 lol. Rats eat meat lol you learn something everyday.

Thanks again Kathy been a huge help much appreciated.

 

[Vixen]

I would fully cut a large section out of the lid and cover that with metal flyscreen, you can never have too much ventilation. Sawdust and poor airflow is a recipe for disaster and they will be sure to develop respiratory problems.

 

[Aussie-Pride]

I would fully cut a large section out of the lid and cover that with metal flyscreen, you can never have too much ventilation. Sawdust and poor airflow is a recipe for disaster and they will be sure to develop respiratory problems.

Yeah i have cut out a 35cm squared hole out in the middle and covered it with metal fly screen is that to small or should i go bigger? there 80l tubs so i have enough room to go another 15cm give or take, I'm going to be making a rack asap so it's just to get them through until then. cheers