Mouse/Rat Breeding (for snakes)

samatwwe

Arachnobaron
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Mar 30, 2009
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365
Hi, I wanted to start breeding mice and rats for my snakes as my collection is growing and the costs for buying feeders every week is gaining on me. Im stuck because my mom is allergic to mice and rats but would it be fine if I set them up in my closet with and air purifier? My dad suggested the idea and I think it could work. Any opinion is appreciated!
Sam:?
 

blackcadillac70

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
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Jul 28, 2006
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213
been there done that. raised quail,rabbits,chickens.it's okay for awhile then it will get old.now i just buy what i need.
 

blackcadillac70

Arachnoknight
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Jul 28, 2006
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213
keeping them in your home.will be a challenge with the amonia smell better keep it clean.
 

vvx

Arachnobaron
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Sep 19, 2007
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Mice smell much worse than rats (female mice not so much, but male mice are bad.) So if you were able to only do rats that would help.

As far as an air purifier, the main smell that bothers people with rats/mice is the ammonia. Cleaning the cage more frequently helps. An air purifier will probably do absolutely nothing. Unless you pay the big bucks for one that can filter gases (expect $500 or more for that).

Then again,I don't think you can be allergic to ammonia so perhaps the filter would pick up enough dust particles (though my experience has been most that claim allergies to rats simply don't like the smell, and allergies are easy to claim).

Really though, once you start buying supplies and everything, I doubt you'll save much money over buying larger quantities online and keeping them in the freezer.
 

reverendsterlin

Arachnoprince
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by the time you figure in enclosures, breeders, feeding costs, time, and hassle buying frozen online still works out cheaper if you buy in bulk. Rodent pro is pretty good.
 

samatwwe

Arachnobaron
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I just found a guy local so I wouldnt have to hastle shipping. I just thought breeding my own would be a lot cheaper?
 

samatwwe

Arachnobaron
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by the time you figure in enclosures, breeders, feeding costs, time, and hassle buying frozen online still works out cheaper if you buy in bulk. Rodent pro is pretty good.
Rodent Pro's price are really good, but shipping is $40! :(
 

SandyMuffinCakes94

Arachnobaron
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i only feed frozen then you can bulk up on frozen mice . i paid 45 dollars for fuzzies back in january and i just ran out this month.
 

samatwwe

Arachnobaron
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Mar 30, 2009
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i only feed frozen then you can bulk up on frozen mice . i paid 45 dollars for fuzzies back in january and i just ran out this month.
I only feed frozen as well except to one of my snakes as it will only take live.. I was going to breed them since it wouldnt be an issue as I have a C02 Chamber already.
 

madamwlf

Arachnosquire
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Nov 15, 2008
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I have to disagree with most here. Breeding your own is far cheaper then buying them. I spend about $15 a week on feeders because all of my babies only take live right now. That's $60 a month just on feeders. I've already set up a small breeding group of 2 females to one male. Rodent chow cost $20 for a bag that will last me about 4 months. $5 every other week for carrots, $20 a month for aspen bedding. The most I laid out was for a cage and you may be able to find someone on CL selling one cheap. Or you can get cheap tanks to put them in. Up to you. I got a cage since the breeders will be pets as well. So, if you have a few snakes to feed then I think breeding your own is cheaper.
 

Sarcastro

Arachnobaron
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308
Ive said this on the boards many many times proper air circulation and activated charcoal filters and you wouldn't know the feeders were there unless your right on top of them.
 

samatwwe

Arachnobaron
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I have to disagree with most here. Breeding your own is far cheaper then buying them. I spend about $15 a week on feeders because all of my babies only take live right now. That's $60 a month just on feeders. I've already set up a small breeding group of 2 females to one male. Rodent chow cost $20 for a bag that will last me about 4 months. $5 every other week for carrots, $20 a month for aspen bedding. The most I laid out was for a cage and you may be able to find someone on CL selling one cheap. Or you can get cheap tanks to put them in. Up to you. I got a cage since the breeders will be pets as well. So, if you have a few snakes to feed then I think breeding your own is cheaper.
Thank you!! Something I was looking for.. lol I figured I was spending close to $70-$80 a month and breeding might be the cheapest route. Its also not too much of a hastle since I accually like the rodents as pets as well. I have had pet mice and rats over the years and would like more so why not breed them as feeders as well? Thanks for the help tho!
 

squamata99

Arachnosquire
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Feb 20, 2007
Messages
99
Breeding your own is way better and cheaper. I built a rack that holds 5 bins for $50 I have 7 snakes (boas, pythons,& milks) and a 3' monitor that get fed as much as they want basically and I still have more than enough leftover that I sell on the side. From selling my extra stock - I don't even have to pay for their mazuri out of my pocket. Yes air purifiers only control the dust and allergens.
 

SandyMuffinCakes94

Arachnobaron
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Aug 19, 2008
Messages
398
I only feed frozen as well except to one of my snakes as it will only take live.. I was going to breed them since it wouldnt be an issue as I have a C02 Chamber already.
Have you tried cutting a hole in the pikie or mouses brain and letting brain matter be exposed? and putting the frozen mouse in hot water and giving it quickly so that the heat from the water may trick the snake into thinking its live?
 

SandyMuffinCakes94

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
398
I have to disagree with most here. Breeding your own is far cheaper then buying them. I spend about $15 a week on feeders because all of my babies only take live right now. That's $60 a month just on feeders. I've already set up a small breeding group of 2 females to one male. Rodent chow cost $20 for a bag that will last me about 4 months. $5 every other week for carrots, $20 a month for aspen bedding. The most I laid out was for a cage and you may be able to find someone on CL selling one cheap. Or you can get cheap tanks to put them in. Up to you. I got a cage since the breeders will be pets as well. So, if you have a few snakes to feed then I think breeding your own is cheaper.
I agree , ive never fed my mice live, i switched a live feeder over to frozen, and when i went to the petstore i looked at the pricing on the feeder mice that were only Frozen and they were outrageous!!

Maybe you can find a local breeder that would give you prices that are cheaper then petstores , i get mine from a breeder and she cut the cost of price in half for her customers.
 

samatwwe

Arachnobaron
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Mar 30, 2009
Messages
365
Have you tried cutting a hole in the pikie or mouses brain and letting brain matter be exposed? and putting the frozen mouse in hot water and giving it quickly so that the heat from the water may trick the snake into thinking its live?
I always feed the frozen mice/rats warm from the hot water to all of them, but I have tried it all for that Corn snake but maybe someday she'll crack! lol
 

samatwwe

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
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Mar 30, 2009
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365
Also, to update this thread, last night I bought 1 male, 3 females. I accually like them as pets even more! They are all different colors so I should have some neat colorful litters. I also noticed one of the females always chases another female and like bites her because the other one would like make a very high pitched screem. I took the "attacker" out for a while and put her in and she didnt do it anymore. Any advice on how to stop her from attacking one of the other females?
 
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