Frozen Rodent Suppliers

Blueeheeler · #1 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 04:39 AM

I was just wondering if any of you know any Suppliers closer to CA...I have done RodentPro.com, but I am looking for something closer to home. Less travel time and expense too! Any info would be great. Thanks Jamie/Blueeheeler
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Dr.Oviparous · #2 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 10:04 AM

Personally RodentPro does not impress me at all. When I used to order from them I always got a box filled with half broken and cracked bags of dirty rats. Needless to say they don't vacuum pack. On their defense, the rats I got were always exactly what I ordered, and delivery was prompt. I order from www.bayourodents.com now. They do vacuum pack nice neat and clean rats, they ship very fast also. If you do order from them make sure to look at the size/weight chart first. Their rats are a little smaller than average IMO. I.E: Their large is more like a big medium from RodentPro. Not sure if this helps ya....... -Juggalo

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Blueeheeler · #3 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 04:33 PM

Thank you very much! Just the kind of reference I was looking to get....Jamie [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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SteveP · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 05:08 PM

I looked around for some time trying to find "California Grown" rodents from a commercial supplier, but no luck. If they're out there they sure are keeping it a secret...and if they aren't, why can't someone produce rodents on the left coast? Anyway, I've been using Rodentpro for awhile and basically satisfied with their product. For the time being if you're ordering rodents by mail you're choices are from the midwest or back east! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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LeriHolth · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2003, 03:43 AM

Hey Steve, you and I and Hisba are all on the west coast. Even if you're moving to Vegas, you'll still be here in the west coast area. I've been thinking about this, also, and I'm half-tempted to start up a west coast rat supply company. I just need a lot of rats, a lot of space, and humane euthanasia, packing, and shipping supplies (not to mention, rat housing/feeding supplies). Personally, I think it'd be a great idea to start one up. Whaddaya think?
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SteveP · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2003, 04:21 PM

I think it'd be GREAT!!! When I lived in Vegas a few years ago a buddy of mine was trying to start a business doing frozen & live rodents but he didn't own a home or have a place to do a permanent set-up so he was continually struggling. The 'facility' where you do it is of course the biggest hurdle. The breeders, caging, feed, etc. after the initial investment can grow as the business grows. Offering rodents in vacuum sealed packages would be a serious thing to consider as well. If it's marketed well I gotta believe there's enough herpers west of the Rockies to do a business. And of course if you get a few commercial accounts (i.e. selling to reptile shops or similar) I'd think that'd be your bread and butter! Shipping is a big bite in the cost of things, particularly for individuals not needing or wanting big orders. Unfortunately there may not be much you can do about that. Even with the volumne of product Rodentpro ships the cost is still up there for small orders. Anyway, I'd be VERY interested to hear if you choose to pursue something like this!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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LeriHolth · #7 (**permalink**) 09-04-2003, 06:33 PM

If I could get some help with setup expenses, etc, I would definitely want to start doing this. Unfortunately, finding somewhere to house all the rats would be a problem. I don't own my home, and we're not supposed to have pets as it is. We got a special allowance for the snakes from the landlord. I've actually considered this for a while, and thought it'd be the best thing that ever happened to west coast herpers.
Anyone want to help me go in on this? I would definitely be interested in co-owning/running a frozen rat business. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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SteveP · #8 (**permalink**) 09-04-2003, 08:08 PM

I figure if you could get yourself some rural property (which Nor Cal has a bit of) that would be the ideal situation because after all there is that 'smell' factor when doing the rodent thing!!! I'm not in any financial situation to offer that kind of help, but according to my landlady who started up her goat farm with an SBA loan that may be something serious to look into. You have to have a solid business plan and project realistic goals, but apparently there is some significant Federal money available for just such a thing.

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Adelea_Bella · #9 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 07:17 PM

How about near Chicago??

Ravnos · #10 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 07:45 PM

I've ordered from Bayou Rodents (also known as Cajun Mice) for years now. I've never had a single problem with an order from them. They may be a little pricier than RodentPro, but the quality is much better in my opinion... and I can't live without vacuum sealing. I buy in bulk to store them for a while, if I was only buying 10 mice, maybe I'd consider going with them, but when I buy 500-800 bucks at a time usually. My last order I actually ordered from Classic Dum's http://members.tripod.com/boas-dumerils/index.htm - I'm sure some of you know Jason. Rodents arrived, I believe they were Big Cheese Rodent Factory's supply, vacuum sealed and on probably 10 pounds of dry ice (which I always have fun with). He also cut me a great deal on shipping by sending it through Greyhound. Which I'll admit I had trepidations about - I mean, come on, its Greyhound. 50 sweaty people crowded on a tin can that spews diesel fumes, but it worked out -great-, and you can't beat over 100lbs shipped for like 25 bucks.

Rav

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