Picking up a rat colony tomorrow. Have a question. - FaunaClassifieds
FaunaClassifieds  
  Tired of those Google and InfoLink ads? Upgrade Your Membership!
  Inside FaunaClassifieds » Photo Gallery  
 

Go Back   FaunaClassifieds > Reptile & Amphibian - General Discussion Forums > Feed, Caging, Supplies & Services

Notices

Feed, Caging, Supplies & Services Discussions concerning the feeding requirements of any of our critters, the cages they need to live in while in our care, and all of the supplies and services needed to do this right.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-22-2020, 07:53 PM   #1
Randall Turner
Picking up a rat colony tomorrow. Have a question.

So my feeder supplier is getting out so he can travel and do stuff with his wife. Happy for him, but sad for me lol. He's selling me what he has left of his breeding setup (An ARS 70, 6 high rack, with watering system, 50 rats, gas chamber etc.) I initially was planning to put them in my garage as it doesn't get too cold in winter, and I can use a swamp cooler on the really hot days... Well I thought of a potential problem. Will loud noises be a detriment to the colony? I keep my riding mower in the garage, and I also do wood working, welding and other fabrication in the garage as well. I was wanting to hear from people with more experience with rodent colonies (I've never kept more than 4-5 females at any point).

The benefit of using the garage instead of the basement was the obvious benefit of not smelling rats, and also the upkeep will be far easier in the garage, cleaning tubs and disposing of dirty bedding.
 
Old 09-22-2020, 08:09 PM   #2
Socratic Monologue
Not sure this is relevant, but I'll contribute it anyway.

I raised rabbits for about ten years (just ended that project recently, actually). I kept them in a large lean-to addition on a detached garage. The first year I had them, the does killed nearly every litter they had. I finally figured out what it was: I also stored firewood in that addition, and I would haul the bucked logs to near the shed, then split them with a maul and stack the splits inside. Once I started splitting in the woods before hauling the wood back, the killing stopped. It was the sharp repeated noises.

The rabbits always tolerated the noise of our tractor without issue.
 
Old 09-22-2020, 08:25 PM   #3
Randall Turner
That is good information to have, I definitely don't want to cause issues with the females. I have read that stress inducing noise will cause mice to eat their young, but haven't found info regarding rats. I may just have to play it by ear, see how things go, and if necessary I can haul the mower out and start it in the drive.
 
Old 09-30-2020, 11:04 PM   #4
Randall Turner
So I've had the group now for a week. My riding lawn mower appears to have induced a premature labor in one female, resulting in her dropping 3 quite small pinks. (2 of the 3 didn't survive). Other than that one issue, it doesn't appear to be a problem keeping them in the garage. I will definitely be moving the riding mower out next year (thankfully I only have maybe 1 more mowing for the season).

So far, I'm most surprised by how little they smell (the rats themselves). I figured a group this large would be fairly stinky by the end of the first week but they weren't. The only off putting smell is the mazuri 6f feed. My wife and a couple of the kids find it rather repulsive.
 
Old 09-30-2020, 11:25 PM   #5
Socratic Monologue
I wonder if maybe the move itself contributed to the female's trouble. That's pretty stressful, I'm sure.

Many people think rats smell much less than mice. I think they mostly smell different; maybe personal sensitivities play into it.

Anyway, it sounds like it is going well so far.
 
Old 11-14-2020, 12:58 AM   #6
Randall Turner
Thought I'd post an update. They are going well now, I will be building a 2nd rack using Super 70 tubs (have a 2 high grow out I built previously, but don't think it'll be enough.)
They are doing great in the garage (knock on wood)

 

Join now to reply to this thread or open new ones for your questions & comments! FaunaClassifieds.com is the largest online community about Reptile & Amphibians, Snakes, Lizards and number one classifieds service with thousands of ads to look for. Registration is open to everyone and FREE. Click Here to Register!

 
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
question about roach colony... Whilliard33 Feed, Caging, Supplies & Services 2 05-06-2016 12:55 PM
Picking a first monitor The NY Gecko Iguanas & Monitors Discussion Forum 3 12-19-2010 03:54 PM
Any updates on MOD picking Royal Morphz FaunaClassifieds Site HELP & Feedback Forum 2 05-01-2010 06:40 PM
Need help picking out thermostats... MRC31 Feed, Caging, Supplies & Services 11 10-04-2007 02:47 PM
Need help on picking thermostat MGReptiles Feed, Caging, Supplies & Services 0 05-04-2004 01:44 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:03 AM.







Fauna Top Sites


Powered by vBulletin® Version
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Page generated in 0.03901505 seconds with 10 queries
Content copyrighted ©2002-2022, FaunaClassifieds, LLC