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garysumpter
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 914
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 Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject: A few Q's about breeding Rats / Mice |
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Hi all.
After reading quite a few posts I have decided to look into breeding mice/rats to feed to my snakes.
However I have a few questions.
Firstly, what are the legal implications of breeding rodents to feed off?
Secondly how do you kill the rodents to feed? I really am not into any form of cruelty or anything that could go wrong and cause any form of suffering. What would be the best option? Gas? Whack? Crack?
Thirdly, where do you buy the mice/rats to breed? I went to 5 pet shops and only one had fancy rats, the rest had nothing. Pets at home do not carry mice at all now as 'people were buying them to feed to snakes'.
Lastly how do you guys set up your colonies? One Male to several females or several m/f pairs separated? Do you leave the babies in with the parents when they are born?
Many Thanks, I look forward to your replies.
Gary
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Ally
Key Member
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 319
Location: South Bucks
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| Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: A few Q's about breeding Rats / Mice |
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| Quote: | | Firstly, what are the legal implications of breeding rodents to feed off? |
None.
| Quote: | | Secondly how do you kill the rodents to feed? I really am not into any form of cruelty or anything that could go wrong and cause any form of suffering. What would be the best option? Gas? Whack? Crack? |
Personally I gas using CO2 from a canister, some people use CO2 from vinegar/bicarb of soda (I think that's the combination! Search 'Rodent Reaper) sometimes 'the big swing' method if there's only one or two needed. I only swing the adults, otherwise I end up mashing my knuckles on the wall... Basically, as hard as you can (makes it work on first swing - kinder) against a flat hard surface.
For pinkes and fuzzies, I throw against a concrete floor as hard as I can - gas takes too long for the youngsters I consider it cruel.
| Quote: | Thirdly, where do you buy the mice/rats to breed? I went to 5 pet shops and only one had fancy rats, the rest had nothing. Pets at home do not carry mice at all now as 'people were buying them to feed to snakes'.
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Pet shops rarely sell mice anymore, I've heard a lot of reasons, and from the pet shops point of view all are good ones.
Most of my mice were picked up from Houten shows, and a few from other breeders in the UK. The best way to get mice is to get some brought to one of the UK shows for you, there are a lot of breeders out there...
| Quote: | Lastly how do you guys set up your colonies? One Male to several females or several m/f pairs separated? Do you leave the babies in with the parents when they are born?
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Me being me, I keep in pairs and trios - I enjoy breeding for colour and type even though they are mainly for food (although a large number of mine do go as pets, the local pet shops put people in contact with me). If I was breeding for numbers, I would keep a large group - maybe 1.8 and when a female was looking definatley pregnant, move her to her own tub (not cage - the babies always escape) to let her do her stuff. This stops the risk of the other mice eating her babies, and also gives her 8 weeks between litters (4 weeks raising them, then put back in the group and 4 more weeks pregnant before the next lot).
I really enjoy my mice, sometimes I wonder if the snakes justify the mice rather than the other way round! |
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Herpquest
Contributing Member
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 80
Location: North Manchester, UK
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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Gary, when you have a large number of pythons and boas to feed, breeding your own feeders is both necessary and financially sound. During this time of the year, it is essential that I have young mice and rats to feed to hatchlings and adult rodents for the breeding stock. When the breeding season comes to an end, all rodents not needed as feeders are humanely culled using a Co2 chamber and stored in a large chest freezer - the majority of the frozen rodents are sold to other herpers to off-set feeding costs.
If a Co2 chamber is set up and used correctly, there is no stress put on the rodents and they are unconscious within seconds.
Too many people who use Co2 chambers, do so without using a regulator and flood the chamber with pressurised Co2 instead of regulating the flow to gradually fill it.
Done correctly, euthanising with Co2 is the most humane and effective method. Eric Davies
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garysumpter
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 914
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KJ Exotics
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 12 Sep 2006
Posts: 557
Location: UK (Warwickshire)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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I think, you can not buy dry ice in the UK anymore, dont sure. will have to wait for someone to say im right or not.
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garysumpter
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 914
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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I did a very quick search and found plenty of sources 
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Need a website? 8 years experience, GREAT rates for reptile keepers, currently designing several reptile websites. Also graphic design, hosting and marketing services.
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sam
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 711
Location: Glasgow, uk
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | (makes it work on first swing - kinder) |
more like makes it legal  If its not dead in the first swing its a welfare issue, or so we were told in our "small furries" lectures regarding euthanasia methods in rats and mice.
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Ally
Key Member
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 319
Location: South Bucks
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| Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:34 am Post subject: |
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| Indeed! |
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jakeus
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 16 Jan 2007
Posts: 664
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| Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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What snakes are you breeding animals for? Corns, Royals, Boas...?
| Quote: | | Personally I gas using CO2 from a canister, |
Could you not feed them live?
Just a thought.
Jake |
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garysumpter
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 914
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| Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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'Could you not feed them live?'
Wrong attitude if you want to be in this forum mate, live feeding is a last resort.
I am looking to breed to feed my Royals, carpets and boas.
Gary
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Need a website? 8 years experience, GREAT rates for reptile keepers, currently designing several reptile websites. Also graphic design, hosting and marketing services.
http://www.sitewonders.co.uk
gary@sitewonders.co.uk |
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