Food for da food

Strutter769 · 02-19-12, 01:14 PM

We're headed out to a store that specializes in farm stuff, farm animal stuff (Farm & Fleet, if you're familiar with the brand). Last time we were there we were looking for rat food and found what we hope to be a cheaper alternative; pig food! The protein and fat contents were slightly higher than the,rat food, hut not by much. It consisted of mostly grain, but no meat byproducts.

From this brief description, does this sound ok to feed the rats, and eventually the snakes?

Maclyal · 02-19-12, 04:20 PM

I have heard of people using it, however you have to make sure it is the unmedicated type.
I have also heard of people feeding them dog food.
I personally feed my African Soft Fur Rats Mazuri 5M30 Rodent block
& am getting approx. 250 to 300 babies a month.
this is out of a 30 female & 15 male breeding setup.

Strutter769 · 02-19-12, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maclyal

I have heard of people using it, however you have to make sure it is the unmedicated type.
I have also heard of people feeding them dog food.
I personally feed my African Soft Fur Rats Mazuri 5M30 Rodent block
& am getting approx. 250 to 300 babies a month.
this is out of a 30 female & 15 male breeding setup.

Thanks. You're right about the medicinal line, that's all we saw they had last time. We never made it there today but will go tomorrow.

Is there an alternative like that but a bit cheaper?

Thanks for reading.

Maclyal · 02-19-12, 09:04 PM

you have to remember the healthier your rodents are (because of high quality food, housing & care) the healthier your reptiles will be by eating them.

cheaper is understandable, but not always a good idea.
you already save money & know you have good quality feeders by raising your own, don't cut corners and create problems for yourself now.

just my 2 cents worth.

Strutter769 · 02-19-12, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maclyal

you have to remember the healthier your rodents are (because of high quality food, housing & care) the healthier your reptiles will be by eating them.

cheaper is understandable, but not always a good idea.
you already save money & know you have good quality feeders by raising your own, don't cut corners and create problems for yourself now.

just my 2 cents worth.

I totally get that. I was just curious if someone had maybe a home recipe/blend that saved a few bucks and still nutritious. Perhaps even morsel.

infernalis · 02-19-12, 09:31 PM

I buy bags of hamster feed, then add generic corn flakes, generic cheerios and unsalted corn chips.

The rats love it, and it's not really very expensive at all.

Dollar stores carry the cereal and corn chips for $1 a bag.

Strutter769 · 02-19-12, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

I buy bags of hamster feed, then add generic corn flakes, generic cheerios and unsalted corn chips.

The rats love it, and it's not really very expensive at all.

Dollar stores carry the cereal and corn chips for $1 a bag.

That's what I had in mind. But don't rats need a meat byproduct or protein of some sort? Marcy suggested perhaps instead of buying chips to use chicken food with the hamster feed. Chicken food has all those ingredients with less sodium and sugar, but more protein. Thoughts?