Alternative rat feed?

AGActaeonia · #1 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 11:16 PM

What do you guys with larger-colonies feed your rats?

I cannot seem to find a block-supplier around here for the life of me, and know a few of you use dog-kibble.

Was just looking for a few suggestions.

I've used guinea-pig food for the last year, and though it seems to cut it and the rats eat all of it, I'd like a bit more of a bulk-buy alternative.

RayRay · #2 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 11:22 PM

Well, if you are looking for rodent block that you don't have to supplement with much else, I use Harlan Teklad 8064.

A 33lb bag is $25. However, shipping will get you. It runs an extra $25, at least to my zip code.

AGActaeonia · #3 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayRayShaniqua

Well, if you are looking for rodent block that you don't have to supplement with much else, I use Harlan Teklad 8064.

A 33lb bag is $25. However, shipping will get you. It runs an extra $25, at least to my zip code.

Where does one get it?

I completely forgot what you do for a living until I saw that you'd responded, Rachel, lol.

Mike Schultz · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 12:19 AM

I have heard that a lot of local feed stores can special order rodent food for you from harlan / Mazuri etc. So you don't have to pay shipping fees...

I am actually in the process of figuring this out now, although the 6 inches of snow outside lead me to believe the local feed store might not be open :0

As far as alternatives, one of my rat suppliers uses "Doggy bag" Dog food from Tractor Supply Co. and he produces probably around 500 - 1,000 rats per week.

Icicle · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 12:23 AM

I use Mazuri rodent chow

RayRay · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGActaeonia

Where does one get it?
I completely forgot what you do for a living until I saw that you'd responded, Rachel, lol.

It's The Rat Shop - TheRatShop.com
What's funny is that it caters to pet rats.

I use them for the 3 I have now.

I would take the suggestion offered of trying to get it through a local feed supply. See if that is cheaper.

AGActaeonia · #7 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 12:54 AM

Finding a local feed store is my dilemma, lol.

It would cost me $30.00 to ship it to my home address. I inquired what the cost would be if it were shipped to a FedEx-certified zoned business instead. Am waiting on a reply.

RayRay · #8 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGActaeonia

Finding a local feed store is my dilemma, lol.
It would cost me $30.00 to ship it to my home address. I inquired what the cost would be if it were shipped to a FedEx-certified zoned business instead. Am waiting on a reply.

Aha. I see.
If you get a good deal on the shipping, be sure to donate a $1 to "rat rescue" as they might inquire about when you check out. I am only thinking about good taste here. LOL

AGActaeonia · #9 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 01:18 AM

Rat rescue.

Oh, man.

I put Omega, my eldest breeder on CL. Listed her as "free B&W-hooded female, 15 months old, does not come with caging, any accessories, toys or food, but does come with an incredible disposition and very friendly attitude. She even responds to her name."

I referred to the fact that she's a proven breeder, but I'd prefer her to simply be a pet. She's much too friendly to a feeder, and as loyal as she's been and such an outstanding breeder, I thought it would be nice if she were spared the fate of so many of her offspring.

Got one hit on the ad, some woman asking why "she didn't come with any food or anything else, where was she housed, what was she fed, and whether or not she had any cage-mates and where she'd been bought."

I explained that I'm a recreational breeder for carnivorous-reptile-fodder, told her I had records on her feeding, litter production, where she was bought, etc., and that I just thought it'd be nice if she went to a good home. Went on to explain that she didn't come with food because she's free and if you're going to get something for free, you should be prepared to care for it, that I wasn't giving hand outs, would give her the name of the brand of food she eats, but would charge her for some of my extra.

She e-mailed me back with some snobby quip concluding that she and her husband had put their heads together and decided on a female pair from a registered breeder instead.

"Whatever you say," said I. The difference between so many and me, I guess. It's a free freakin' rat. Good lord.

RayRay · #10 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGActaeonia

Rat rescue.
Oh, man.
I put Omega, my eldest breeder on CL. Listed her as "free B&W-hooded female, 15 months old, does not come with caging, any accessories, toys or food, but does come with an incredible disposition and very friendly attitude. She even responds to her name."
I referred to the fact that she's a proven breeder, but I'd prefer her to simply be a pet. She's much too friendly to a feeder, and as loyal as she's been and such an outstanding breeder, I thought it would be nice if she were spared the fate of so many of her offspring.
Got one hit on the ad, some woman asking why "she didn't come with any food or anything else, where was she housed, what was she fed, and whether or not she had any cage-mates and where she'd been bought."
I explained that I'm a recreational breeder for carnivorous-reptile-fodder, told her I had records on her feeding, litter production, where she was bought, etc., and that I just thought it'd be nice if she went to a good home. Went on to explain that she didn't come with food because she's free and if you're going to get something for free, you should be prepared to care for it, that I wasn't giving hand outs, would give her the name of the brand of food she eats, but would charge her for some of my extra.
She e-mailed me back with some snobby quip concluding that she and her husband had put their heads together and decided on a female pair from a registered breeder instead.
"Whatever you say," said I. The difference between so many and me, I guess. It's a free freakin' rat. Good lord.

Yes, those were "rat" people! I must confess I have two from a registered local breeder... who knows I have (large) snakes and that I work in a mutant rodent factory. Who better to judge the health and longevity of your new line than one who does it for a living? I had 2 Siamese males from her. However one died as a result of respiratory ailments at about a year, along with several siblings. The line has been discontinued. I'm glad to know that my heathen-self helped them develop a stronger line! I also treated that rat's chronic respiratory issues at home, too.

That's so very awesome that you offered a retired breeder up for adoption. Most don't get that chance.

AGActaeonia · #11 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icicle

I use Mazuri rodent chow

I can get a 50lb bag of breeder-feed for $50.00 from the Cheshire Horse.

Thanks, Ice.

fuglyfarmhand · #12 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 01:29 AM

From the pet store. 10lbs "rat chow" (it's mixed seeds), 10lbs rabbit/guinnie pig chow, (it's rabbit pellets and a few clusters of some wafer with some straw.) and 50lbs of rabbit chow from fleet farm. (just rabbit pellets)
total of like $15 for 70lbs.
For my colony of 8 breeders and 30 babies( small rats right now) it lasts about 2 months.

AGActaeonia · #13 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 01:32 AM

I'm so glad I began coming to this site!

RayRay · #14 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 01:37 AM

I admire all of you that are able to produce your own rodents.

After these ones I have die, I won't get any more due to it being an "occupational hazard". I also won't be getting any more because it is a hazard to my sanity and my pocketbook. Once you watch them run around in circles all day at work, and then come home and watch them run in circles, you start becoming very thankful that the ones in the freezer are dead.

fuglyfarmhand · #15 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayRayShaniqua

I admire all of you that are able to produce your own rodents.

After these ones I have die, I won't get any more due to it being an "occupational hazard". I also won't be getting any more because it is a hazard to my sanity and my pocketbook. Once you watch them run around in circles all day at work, and then come home and watch them run in circles, you start becoming very thankful that the ones in the freezer are dead.

I keep telling myself "Small and furry equals food".lol
We have a few that are cute but mostly they are just food.

ioctoberdrums · #16 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 02:57 AM

the local pet store here hooks me up with Kaytee supreme small animal diet 20LB bags at cost, so about 18 bucks. last me a month or so.

Icicle · #17 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ioctoberdrums

the local pet store here hooks me up with Kaytee supreme small animal diet 20LB bags at cost, so about 18 bucks. last me a month or so.

Dang, 25 pounds of Mazuri only cost me about $17.98 or so. and this last bag only lasted me less than two weeks.

AGActaeonia · #18 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 09:49 AM

I'm so glad I've only 1.4 full-timers. Sure, I've got about 40 pups running around at any given time, but none need be larger than say, mediums.

That'll change in about a year, though. I'm counting down the days until I'm no longer able to get off so luckily.

AGActaeonia · #19 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 09:50 AM

A 10lb bag lasts me about a month here.

Icicle · #20 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGActaeonia

A 10lb bag lasts me about a month here.

Lucky Dawg.

I happen to have 9 racks full of rats.
3 racks have 14-16 rats in each tub that are 4 weeks old and eating on there own.
3 racks have 13-16 pinky rats in each of them.
3 racks only have one or two males each in them.
and I am at full capacity.

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