Guinea pigs vs bunnys vs rats

[AnniesMom]

I was planning of breeding GP's, as a source of large prey for my big girl. I presently buy jumbo rats from Ian Muir and he has lots of them in stock. I also get bunnies from a woman in Victoria F/T, but I would like to have a source that I control as regular food for the big girl. I worry about not being able to get large prey for her. Not a lot of people in Victoria keep the large snakes anymore and I wonder if the supply of feeders could end up reflecting that. I also don't want to breed rats because they gross me out!

[marisa]

GP breeding IMHO is not worth it. Although your house and routine may be better than mine, which could make it easier. I don't know what you keep so if you already have guinea pigs and are used to their needs maybe it would be o.k. for you personally.

The cage size needed by GP's, the constant hay/veggies, the stink, and the low litter size puts me off though.

Marisa

[sapphire_moon]

ya, GPs only have like 3 or 4 a litter and need a large size cage (although I'm sure for breeding purposes that could be sized down.) But they do reguire the "ruffage" of hay on a daily basis, fresh fruits and veggies as well. Plus they can be so noisy!

I would say it would be easier to breed 4 or 5 female dwarf rabbits to one male. And keep them in a rack type system with dark larger rubbermaids. They need hay on a daily basis as well. But if you put a smaller rubbermaid in cornor and fill it with hay they will likely train themselves to go "potty" in that cornor. But they do and can get hair balls so they have to have a daily supplement of pineapple or papya tablets. But atleast they don't squeal like a pig! lol

[Cruciform]

Would a high protein diet in reptiles affect temperament in the way that it does mammals? High protein with low fat and low carbs can boost aggression levels. Just wondering if it could turn a calm snake into a snapper