THE RATTERY
Small home scale Rattery. Temperature controlled through the summer and winter, air exchange via ventillation fans and an air purifier.
THE CAGES
We use custom made bin cages to house all of our rats, as well as for maternity and grow out cages. This is due to the number of rats we have at any given time. We used double critter nation cages as main communal cages up until September of 2018 when we made the switch to bins because of ease of maintanance and sanitation, as well of cost needed to expand further.
Although some may disagree over the use of bin cages (we used to!), it has benefits to breeders who have a larger number of rats. And rest assured, they have plenty of hides and enrichment!
Our primary living bins are 200qt, which have similar dimensions as single critter nations. We have 7 of these bins. We also use 110qt bins for younger rats, maternity and grow outs. We have 14 of these. All bins are made with large windows on 2 opposing sides for optimal airflow. Hardware cloth attached with nuts and bolts for security. All bins are equipped with food hoppers to provide food 24/7 and water is changed daily. Cleaning is done weekly for primary bins and twice a week for maternity bins with babies. |
THE BEDDING
Based on available studies for ammonia concentrations in various different bedding options, we prefer to use kiln dried pine as bedding. We use a fine cut which is soft and has minimal dust, which is always beneficial to rats respiratory systems. Each bin gets about 1.2"-2" of bedding to allow for burrowing, which rats, as fossorial animals, enjoy doing. Bins are cleaned twice per week, baskets and hides as well as bottles are deep cleaned/soaked once per week.
DIET
The primary portion of our rats diet is Doggy Bag, which is a dog food brand that has the equivalent ingredients and guaranteed analysis as mazuri 6F rodent breeder. We also mix in black oil sunflower seeds to help with skin and coat, producers pride hog feed as a variance with appropriate levels of fat and protein and safe ingredients. As a bonus to the rats and to make their mix more enriching and flavorful, we also add in a minimal amount of sugar free cereals such as cheerios, corn flakes, bran flakes, etc.
We give fresh fruits and vegetables three times a week, as well as meat, hard boiled eggs for protein and enrichment. In the fall, we offer pie pumpkins for additional enrichment and edible, healthy treat.
We give fresh fruits and vegetables three times a week, as well as meat, hard boiled eggs for protein and enrichment. In the fall, we offer pie pumpkins for additional enrichment and edible, healthy treat.
Preventatives
Bedding changes include a dusting of diatomaceous earth, a natural bug killer. 6 month topical treatment of Revolution on all rats and all babies are dosed with Revolution prior to leaving the rattery.