How I Keep My Rodents

I currently keep all of my rodents in bin enclosures and racks. I primarily use the racks for litters and the bins are used for adults.

I use 105qt and 90qt bins for my adults with a 6in x 24in vent on either side of the bin. having vents on the sides of the enclosure allows for more ventilation and airflow that prevents ammonia build up.

I currently use KILN DRIED pine as bedding. some people believe pine is toxic to rodents, however enough scientific studies explain that as long as it is kiln dried and shavings (not sawdust) it is perfectly fine for rat's respiratory systems. I am fine with adopters using regularly cleaned fleece or carefresh bedding however I will suggest against using shredded paper, cedar shavings, sawdust, dirt or other beddings that cannot offer a low dust, low ammonia and low humidity environment for my animals. Please note that I may not adopt out to people using these unhealthy methods of substrate as I worry for my rats. With the pine bedding I use I also use a product called Sweet PDZ. It is a washington owned company that creates a deodorizer that has helped me tremendously with keeping the smell down of over 100 rats in my living room. Sweet PDZ is found at most farm stores in the horse bedding section, it is very cost efficient and i go through a single 40lb bag once ever few months with my large quantity of animals.

I feed a mix of Purina starter-grower hog feed and black oil sunflower seeds. rats have almost identical nutritional requirements as pigs and do really really well on this diet! My rats have better smelling poops, nicer coats, grow faster and my does bounce back faster after weaning. In the near future I plan to add some calf-manna, oats and possibly flax seed to their diet as well. These are all options that will absolutely benefit their health and growth that other rodent breeders have done extensive research on. I will not refuse adopters for any commercial rodent diet or personally formulated diet that can prove is no less than 15% protein, 5% fat and 2% fiber. I do not suggest feeding most dog foods due to low protein content and red dye that is known to cause cancer in rats.

Acceptable Methods of Keeping

Enclosures:

Bins (90+qt)

Critter nations

Wire cages that are specifically designed for rats or larger rodents.

Racks specifically made for rats or larger animals.

Homemade hardware cloth and PVC or sealed wood enclosures. (hardware cloth must be half inch or smaller. Unsealed wood can gather ammonia and cause illness in rats.)

Not suitable enclosures:

Bin cages smaller than 90qt or only have top ventilation (see below)

Mice racks

Wire cages that have 2+in spacing

Hamster or bird cages (I will not adopt to anyone who wishes to house rats in these enclosures, they create stress and are incorrectly sized for rats.)

TANKS. (tanks are not suitable for rats. rats create way too much ammonia that will settle in the air at the bottom of the enclosure. tanks only have ventilation on the top that does not create airflow. adding a fan to create airflow can cause rats to become ill from varying environmental factors. It is just not recommended.)

Bedding:

KILN DRIED pine bedding cleaned once a week

Carefresh bedding cleaned AT LEAST once a week

Fleece cleaned twice a week to every other day depending on rat density

KILN DRIED pine pellets cleaned once a week

Hay that has had dust removed and is not used in breeding enclosures (babies can be dumb)

Not suitable bedding:

Sawdust (dust)

Ceder bedding OF ANY KIND (TOXIC TO ALL ANIMALS IN CONFINED QUARTERS)

Dirt (creates too much dust and humidity)

Sand (dust)

Shredded paper (ammonia disaster)

Fleece or carefresh that is not cleaned REGULARLY. I suggest against these two options since they are ammonia breeding grounds and will become dangerous after a short amount of time to your rats, however they are not toxic or bad for your animals if used properly. I will require you to express how often you plan to clean your enclosures if you use either of these methods.

Food:

Any commercial rat diet

Some dog foods (twin pet and doggy bag are valid options)

Hog feed that meets the minimum protein, fat and fiber requirements.

Mazuri rodent diets

Home formulated diets that meet the minimum protein, fat and fiber requirements.

Not suitable foods:

Cat food and most other dogs

horse, cow, goat or other grass eating feeds

Home formulated diets that do not meet minimum nutritional requirements

ANYTHING WITH RED DYE

TOO MUCH FRESH FOOD can absolutely be a bad thing that can cause serious health issues. I thow in avocado, eggs and chicken in my bins regularly but a diet entirely from fresh food that hasn't beed dried can cause more issues than it's worth.

Some people will believe many of these options are not the BEST option out there, however there are more affordable alternatives and GOOD options on this list that I will not deny adoption to. As long as the health and well-being of my animals comes first I am willing to work with just about anyone!

Please contact me with any other questions or concerns!