Food for breeding Mice and Rats on a medium scale

[BadBug]

Hi all.

I am starting to bred mice and rats on a medium scale for feeders. The normal dry food from the shop is working out a little bit too much for me at the moment.

What food do you breeders use and where can I get some? How much does it cost?

I am in Durban.

I have read that it is possible to feed pig pellets to rodents and that they work out much cheaper. Is that true? If so where can i get some?

Whats the best diet for mice and rats to breed and stay healthy? What sort of general household stuff or left overs can be fed to rats and mice?

Regards,

BadBug.

[cynicman]

Hi BadBug and Welcome.

For my Rats I am using 8KG dog pellets + 4KG Parrot Mix. I pick out the dried chillies as the rats won't eat them. Also, I pick out all the meillie pips as I have had Rats choke on them and die. I also give them a bit of what ever is on the menu for my wife and I. I give them my old bread, which they love, and I buy bones and fat at my local butchery which I feed them as well.

Rats are Omnivores, meaning they eat meat and veg. Mice however are pure herbivores, but I gave up breading them as they eat there babies as they are evil. See previous posts of mine for info.

I am also in Durban. PM me if you want to hook up and chat. I have loads of experience with Rats.

C

[cynicman]

Check this post: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=168

[BadBug]

Hi Cynicman,

Thanks alot for the adice. I really do appreciate it.

The mice seem to be breeding quite well. I got a couple of litters at the moment.
I hope it all goes well. I have noticed the one eating a baby. I think that the eat the sick and dead because all the rest seem to be very healthy and well.

Dogs and cats also eat their young. Maybe its just nature.

My pair oF RATS arent breeding as yet. I thinkthey still young, about 2 months old.

Is there really a market in the durban area for mice and rats?

Thanks again for the advice.

[cynicman]

If you're breeding for profit, you'll be stuck with a lot of rats with no homes. Unless you plan to breed for feeders. That is what I went into. I was supplying several snake owners in my area. But seriously, I wasn't making a profit. My main intention was to breed for show quality varieties, but my original purpose was to feed my snakes.