Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

adam1979 · I'm new here... Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 4

Hi all. I have always fed my rats in my rat rack pig chow, just thrown in, but am getting loads of waste so I have decided to try feeding them dog food in a hopper so they eat through the mesh, but none of my rats seem to be eating anything. Is it just a fact of they are not used to it and will eat from there when they are hungry, or is it to late to introduce this 'new method' to my adults???

Many thanks

Adam

Herpquest · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 1:26 am Post subject:

If waste is the only reason for changing, try using 'sow rolls' instead. they are made from the same content but are larger, so won't pass through the mesh.
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MJ · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject:

I would try mixing the pig chow and dog biscuit and gradually reduce the amount of pig chow that being said rats normally eat anything Confused

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adam1979 · I'm new here... Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 4

Well I have changed them over to Dr. Johns Silver and they seem to be trying to eat it through the mesh now, so hopefully they will get the hang of it soon.

The other issue that I have is all my rats seem to be getting the sneezes and runny noses and they seem to be getting all red around their eyes. I am cleaning them every couple of days and they have constant fresh water and food. They are being kept in an outbuilding which gets a little bit cold but nothing major. I am keeping them on Dust extracted pine shavings. What could be the causes of this??

Many thanks

Adam

SteveL · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject:

I have to say that rats will eat from any place in my shed and any food offered!!!

I cant understand why yours would not feed

Confused

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Dracowoman2 · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:28 am Post subject:

Funny you should mention that Adam, I'm using the same dog food and soft wood shavings as well, and ours have been sneezing and snuffling a bit, we're also dosing ours with Pro Biotic in their water bottles once a fortnight, and they live in a shed outside.

Can anyone shed any light on the sniffles issues?
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toyah · Key Member Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 228

Scott W · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:27 am Post subject:

We feed ours Dr John's Silver, never had a problem in any not eating it plus there is NO wastage.

No matter what size pig rolls or sow weaner pencils we used they would always just chew it to dust and it would mount up as waste in the cage Sad

As for sneezing etc, as toyah say's switch bedding Wink

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