About rats...

[Charlet_2007]

Ok i joined this rat forum to get more info on genetics and what not.. well as soon as they figuered out I bread rats for food they banned me.. I told them I didn't know what the big deal was that they didn't even give me a chance.. I also breed them at times for pets for people but then that told me off on if they were pedigreed or not.. I told them they wasn't pedigreed and that I wasn't over populating the world eather but they wont even listen.. why are they like that? Don't they know they can't save all the rats in the world? :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[drache]

I wouldn't consider rats an endangered species
they do apparently have heaps of personality, which can easily be observed, if you know which subway platform to hang out on
I am fairly certain that in the natural order of things their purpose is primarily clean-up and food
but people who keep animals as pets are often not interested in the natural order of things
possibly we wouldn't be super welcoming to a person looking to find out more about breeding garters to feed to their kings

[Lori P]

Well, Natalie, I guess it would be like someone joining here who bred garters only for food for other snakes. We all seem pretty attached to our garters, so it might offend our sensitivities to have to hear over and over how they are nothing but feed for some people. Or like... a meat goat producer joining a group of pet goat people... it just kind of hurts the heart a bit, even if you understand it. Know what I mean? Altho I don't think we'd ban anyone, just ask that they not stress the purpose of their feed garters...

[Charlet_2007]

I guess its just me then... Well I wasn't talking about feeders at all.. I mean my breeder rats are like kids to me.. Just I can't keep all my rats I produce ( I mean don't get me wrong I would love to but I can't) then that would be taking away from my all 5 of my snakes food.. besides that I lived on a goat farm all my life... I've seen life and then I've seen death and I've excepted the 2... I mean everything passes on eventually (spelling?) I don't know just thought it was mean not to give me a chance.. :(

[RZL36]

They shouldn't have banned you. You were probably willing to discuss it at a deeper level than, "something to feed your snakes." Rat people are usually a little weird though (probably in the same way we are weird to rat people).

I remember when I first got to this forum and told people about my accidental fumbling to garter snakes (some were a little put off by it). To me they were something to get a problem king to eat. Then I looked into their pretty brown eyes and well, that's that.

[Loren]

I raise mice and rats for feeders. I get alot of people that make remarks about the poor mice and rats, or how mean it is to feed 1 animal to another. I usually ask them (nicely)if they have any pets. They often aswer-yes, a dog, or yes, a cat. I ask them nicely, Do you ever look at the ingredient list of their food? Sorry to tell you, but your pets eat animals too.
Many people dont know quite what to say after that.

[sschind]

I didn't know that about you Rich. Get out and stay out!!!!:D

Seriously, Like Lori said, people get a bit touchy about their pets. I'm curious as to how the subject came up. you say you weren't talking feeders but you do use the term "breeders" was it something that someone just figured out in conversation?

Anyway, if they banned you, it's their loss. Its like our parents always said "if they don't want you as a friend they are not worth having as friends" Please tell me I am not the only one whose parents said that to them. I'm sure there are lots of forums that will welcome you as a breeder of snake food.

Try these two for starters if you already haven't

kingsnake.com - the information portal for reptile and amphibian hobbyists. (http://www.kingsnake.com/)

FaunaClassifieds - Site Home Page (http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/mainpage.php)

and look for the feeder forums.

Good Luck

[Stefan-A]

Not very surprising that they would react that way, but I definitely don't think they should have banned you. Some people are just oversensitive.

[Charlet_2007]

yeah thats what i thought.. no i posted pics of some the rats that are my pets.. im guessing if you have about 30+ rats they think your eather a breeder or a feeder breeder... and they asked about pedigrees for the rats lol (i mean come on i know there is for dogs and cat but seriously rats? i mean who would slap a pedigree on a rat when theres soo many in the world today?) I told them i didn't have pedigree rats just common run of the mill rats.. (I didn't get them from a pet store eather.. I got them for a lady that had to many of them, started out with 3 than multiplied.. She sold them to me for 1.00 each and I can still get them for that much..)Then they assumed I bread for food I'm guessing oh well... But i will tell you this I know it bad to feed rats and such to your snakes if you dont like the sort of thing but they have to eat too.. I pay what 1.00 a rat.. any where from 50.00 to 100.00 for a garter snake now even more for my others 200.00 on my northern pines.. I won't let my snakes starve just because they think its wrong..

[Loren]

"pedigree" means that they are even more inbred than feeder rats, and thats pretty inbred.:) Here's a pic of my rat rack. I got the plans off the internet.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/IMG_7647.JPG

[RZL36]

I believe it. My girlfriend's mother has rats as pets and she takes them very seriously.

[anji1971]

I've had many a pet rat in my day, and yes, they are a lot of fun, and quite easy to become attached to. On the other hand, now I have snakes,and while mine aren't fed on mice/rats, I know that many other people's are.
Does it bother me? NOT A BIT!!! Every animal has to eat, and sometimes what they eat is what someone else keeps as a pet. And sometimes you keep both the feeder and the "feed-ee":D as pets. As long as you are taking good care of all of them, what difference does it make?
Natalie I feel sorry for the people on the other forum, they should have given you a chance, and then they would have seen that you plain old just love animals! Don't worry about it, we're glad to have you here!:)

[Charlet_2007]

Thanks guys and gals you really know how to lift a girls spirits around here... I'm very glad to be here...

[Charlet_2007]

"pedigree" means that they are even more inbred than feeder rats, and thats pretty inbred.:) Here's a pic of my rat rack. I got the plans off the internet.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/IMG_7647.JPG

where you find that at? is the blue prints free if not how much? that's a cool rat rack.. mine works fine just i have to refill the bowls every stinki'n 2 hours lol so i was thinking about having one made or making it myself..

[RZL36]

What is that a '79 Camaro?

[Lori P]

Sweet car Loren!!!!! I'll have to show my hubby later! He is a HUGE Camaro fan!!

[Loren]

where you find that at? is the blue prints free if not how much? that's a cool rat rack.. mine works fine just i have to refill the bowls every stinki'n 2 hours lol so i was thinking about having one made or making it myself..
Here a link;Building a rat rack (http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml)
I had to modify the plans, as my tubs were slightly different measurements. the only power tools I used were a circular saw and a drill.
The hardware cloth I used is 1/2' x 1/2', so dogfood falls through. Lab diet could probably be fed on the top. I have to use food bowls, which wastes food as it gets spilled and soiled. The link tells you about how to get 1/3' x 1'3' hardware cloth, but you have to order a big roll.
I recently made a prototype feeder for 1 shelf that is like a lab-style feeder using a cut-up spice rack (1/3' wire spacing)with a cut-up 6 qt tub as a holding bin. it seems to be working. I might post a pic sometime. The only drawback is I have to lift it up to get the drawer all the way out.
Other than that, I love the rack. By using an extra tub, and swapping them clean-for -dirty one at a time, I can clean the whole rack in 15 minutes.

[Loren]

What is that a '79 Camaro?
Its a 73 Camaro, type LT. My first car, had it since 1994. It was a tan type of color and all original when I bought it. I have done just about everything to it over the years. It has between 350-400 horsepower, runs 13 second quartermile times on 87 octane gas, and can cruise town all day in hot weather. I only drive it on rare occasions now. Its my baby.:cool:

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/73_camaro.JPG
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/73_camaro_3.JPG
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/73_camaro_2.JPG

[RZL36]

My father had a '79 in roughly the same blue, but that was stock that year. It was his pride and joy. He had to sell it to buy a house for him and my pregnant mother (I was the occupant) to live.

If I ever fall into a lot of money, I would buy him one again.

I'm not a big car guy, but that looks fun.

[Charlet_2007]

lol what a fun way of hijacking a thread lmao... My husband has a 95 caddy fleet wood.. its awesome and has hydros but still i love the car..

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/IMGP2121.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/BobbyandCaddy032.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/IMGP2114.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/CaddyDone38.jpg

[sschind]

Its a 73 Camaro, type LT. My first car, had it since 1994. It was a tan type of color and all original when I bought it. I have done just about everything to it over the years. It has between 350-400 horsepower, runs 13 second quartermile times on 87 octane gas, and can cruise town all day in hot weather. I only drive it on rare occasions now. Its my baby.:cool:


So what you are saying is that you took a really nice car and totally ruined it:D

Sorry, I know some people are into that but personally I'd rather have it all original. It looks nice from outside the engine compartment though:D:D

[Loren]

So what you are saying is that you took a really nice car and totally ruined it:D

Sorry, I know some people are into that but personally I'd rather have it all original. It looks nice from outside the engine compartment though:D:D
I do know what you mean, actually, I havent done anything to permanently modify the car, the interior is still all original(still in good shape), it still has factory a/c and power steering, and the paint is actually just a tiny shade off of an original color that was offered in 73. I went with the 1990 version basically, because it was a clearcoat style paint. No holes cut for big ol' gages or anything like that.
The engine compartment isnt extreme at all. I put away the big air cleaner and whatnot of coarse, but its still a chevy 350 with most of the original brackets and whatnot. engine is still orange, but with aluminum heads and intake.
The car could be a daily driver if I wanted, but I want to keep it nice, plus we have high car theft around here. Even though its powerful, it purrs like a kitty even when putting around town. 350 hp isnt an insane amount, just enough to make passing other cars go real well.:)

[Loren]

So, anyways, we were talking about rats?:D

[KITKAT]

I've had many a pet rat in my day, and yes, they are a lot of fun, and quite easy to become attached to. On the other hand, now I have snakes,and while mine aren't fed on mice/rats, I know that many other people's are.
Does it bother me? NOT A BIT!!! Every animal has to eat, and sometimes what they eat is what someone else keeps as a pet. And sometimes you keep both the feeder and the "feed-ee":D as pets. As long as you are taking good care of all of them, what difference does it make?
Natalie I feel sorry for the people on the other forum, they should have given you a chance, and then they would have seen that you plain old just love animals! Don't worry about it, we're glad to have you here!:)

Heck, sometimes PEOPLE eat animals that others keep as pets!:p LOL!

[drache]

where I grew up (German countryside) people ate their pets all the time
they raised that one hog a year like a family pet
and then when it was nice and plump, it became the honoured guest at the butcher feast
and everybody kept rabbits for food too
in fact - the animals where treated well because one wanted good food
a bit opposite from what's done in the food industry now
no wonder we're stressed - we eat stressed food
I guess we'd be better off eating our pets
I don't suppose I've got enough room to raise a hog and I don't know whether American butchers make house calls
some rabbits would be doable though . . .
has anybody here ever eaten rat?

[Lori P]

Right on, Rhea...and that is EXACTLY why we raise our own meat animals... because here they are happy, healthy, free, respected, and indeed, spoiled. They are just not named. (Hey, Rhea, my butcher really does make house calls!! LOL)

You know what's very interesting to me-- Fluffy won't eat rats!! I bought small rats because she generally eats two large mice and a chick a week, and I thought well, so she can eat a rat instead. She won't touch 'em!! I even thawed the rat with two mice this week, in the same bag, and kind of tangled them up in her tank together-- and the next morning she had picked out the mice and left the rat... LOLOL!!! So mice and rats must taste or smell pretty different--???

Anyone else experience this??

[drache]

I've only tried rats on one of my kings and he won't touch 'em either
I think he's scared of them

[adamanteus]

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/BobbyandCaddy032.jpg



Nice chassis.:D

[Stefan-A]

Nice chassis.:D
My thoughts exactly. :D

But I'm not going make any jokes about any headlights or bumpers.. ;)

[adamanteus]

Back to the rat issue. I have bred rats for snake food in the past, the adults were great fun and full of character and personality, the babies were popular too!
I have bought surplus pinky mice from fancy mice breeders in the past..... they didn't seem to mind the fate that awaited their unwanted pinks.

[Lori P]

Nice chassis.:D


My thoughts exactly. :D

But I'm not going make any jokes about any headlights or bumpers.. ;)

(Rolling eyes) I was waiting for it!! MEN!! :rolleyes:

[Lori P]

Rhea, but you know, they're not much bigger than the large mice. I mean, because I bought small rats. So the size shouldn't be offending her... interesting tho. Spoiled snake. :-)

[Charlet_2007]

has anybody here ever eaten rat?

I have actually.. a bit greasy for my taste...:( as well as squrail (spelling?) brains, rattle snake, rabbit, goat rocky mountain oysters, frog legs , Veal well heck you name it I've probably ate it lol

[Charlet_2007]

Nice chassis.:D

ill tell her you said that lol

[adamanteus]

ill tell her you said that lol

Your car is a "her"?:rolleyes:

[Lulu Bennett]

Nice chassis.:D

Stop drooling james lol

[drache]

Rhea, but you know, they're not much bigger than the large mice. I mean, because I bought small rats. So the size shouldn't be offending her... interesting tho. Spoiled snake. :-)
it's not the size
they smell different too