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​How our rats are fed and cared for here at

StormHaven.

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Feeding - ​

• All day (24/7), we offer (Mazuri Cubes 6f for breeders). For adults not being bred, we offer (Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food), and for young rats, we offer (Oxbow Animal Health Garden Select Mouse and Young Rat Food).

• Morning, daily, we provide a dry mix that we have formulated 

• In the evening, 5x a week, we provide an organic Non-GMO mix of Fresh Veggies and Fruit, pregnant and nursing moms get this 7 times a week

• Three times a week in the evening, they are given boiled eggs with some ground shells.

• Three times a week in the evening, they are given meat, either shredded chicken breast or shredded pork.

• Pregnant mothers receive proteins twice weekly.

• Nursing mothers receive proteins daily.

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Health - 

• ACV drops are added to the water, using 2 capfuls per 8  oz of water. 

Treats - 

• We use yogurt, baby food, or cheese as a training treat

• Fun treats are corn on the cob and rib bones, either beef or pork.

• We do not feed treats or any type of food through the bars or wire mesh

• To give hand-fed treats, doors are opened, and treats are handed to our rats

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Cleaning - 

• The bedding is Aspen with Pellets underneath for absorption and smell

• The potty box has Pellets and a Pee Rock

• Cages are spot cleaned once a week

• Cages are cleaned and sanitized once a month

• All cages get a makeover once a month (When Cleaned) - New toys, hides, etc

• Water bottles are cleaned & sanitized every 3 days and filled daily as needed

• Food dishes are cleaned and washed daily.

• All cages have hammocks, hides, toys, and stuff to chew on, and are three to four levels. Breeding and Nursery cages are one level only.

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Play Time & Handling - 

• All rats have playtime in a free-roam/Play Pen setting

• Babies start being handled daily, starting at 1 day old, depending on the moms. If moms are overly protective, we will wait until they are comfortable with us handling babies.

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Breeding - 

• Females start breeding around 5 - 6 months old and are only bred 2 possible 3 times, then retired.

• Males start breeding around 5 - 6 months and are retired between 14 and 18 months old. We rarely breed our males more than 6 times, and at this time, we don't loan them out. 

• Retired breeders are kept as pets.

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