Rat Farming

Scorpionstar

Is there anybody out there doing rat farming for the reptile world out here in Eire?

If so, do they have a website I can look up?

In the moment we breed reptile feeders mainly for our own reptiles.

I know this sound horrible for you rat lovers out there sorry but reptiles need to feed as well.

I wonder if there isn't a rat farm maybe there should be one opened for all reptile feed needs.

Everybody so far I talked to are breeding for themselves to feed their reptiles.

Give me you views & thoughts on this subject.

MartinHSabag

As far as I know there aren't rat farms in Ireland for that purpose (there are some breeders as for pets - and they are dear).
The reptile shops get them frozen from the UK every week.
The price for the biggest Rat they can find (frozen) is around 3.5 Euros and I'm sure that if you order a big quantity they'll give you a good price.
You can also contact the suppliers directly in th UK and get a delivery yourself, I'm sure you'll be able to find some links in google, if you don't, contact me and I'll help you find soem links.

Scorpionstar

Thanks for that advice. I have found some UK suppliers on the net but as you said they are all to dear as such. So I was thinking that I will have to perhaps to start the first rat farm here in Ireland.

Which will take some thoughts, preparation, cash, dedication and a small holding or farm - which I am thinking perhaps if everything works out I could get together by April or May next year.

Well, if you have any more ideas regarding rat farming they would be much appreciated.

I am still talking to my hubby regarding your MALE Constrictor and I will let you know soon the outcome.

Well, have fun with 'Preparation courses' how to become a daddy or two

Pan lids can be sometimes more diffcult to bring up then all your pets :rolleyes:

MartinHSabag

LOL
Thanks for the advice.

I have know the two main shops in Dublin that deal with reptiles.
If you want I can approach them for you with the idea of a local Rat-Farm.

I don't know about the law in Ireland about Live Feeding of Snakes with Rats (is there any limitation ?) but having a local supplier could open that option as well.

Bare in mind that your prices and supply will have to compete with the prices they are getting from the UK....try to work out some numbers before you start the project.

If I can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me (talking to the shops, website.....)

Scorpionstar

Thanks very much for your advice:)

I thought I start off sending a questionaire to all the pet shops in Ireland to see how high the demand would be for 'frozen feeders'.

The prices would be reasonable for the customer and just under the UK competitions.

We reckon that approx by April we could launch this rat farm if of course we found a suitable property by then.

In the moment I buy my frozen feeders all from one of the Dublins Reptile shops. I already talked to him and he also thought it would be a good idea if there would be someone doing it due to the fact that there is already somebodyelse doing live rodents somewherelse in Ireland.

That would mean we would mainly concentrate on frozen feeders.

Our rat farm would be started without outside financial support meaning the finances would come from our own pockets to start off this business.

Breeding process has already started. Also I am trying to get some CO2 gas from somewhere but it is proving difficult due to the fact that I would have to open a business account with them - any ideas wherelse I could get some?

Well, if you have any suggestions or ideas just let me know - you seem to be the only one who is replying to this idea so far. Which makes me think that either there aren't so many reptile owners out there who ain't interested in this forthcoming idea or they just haven't got a net connection.

Anyway we shall see once I send off the questionaires get the feedback of the pet shops back what the situation will be.

MartinHSabag

You are very welcome.

A questionaire is a very good idea.
Just a recommendation for the "putting a sleep" method, I once read that a better way is to freeze them as quickly as possible with Nitrogen (N2) as it's:
1. the most human way (if you could call it that...) as it is painless.
2. they freeze very quick, thus reducing the chance of the rat to rotten till they freeze.
3. - The most imortant to me as a reptile owner - it keeps ol lthe minerals and vitamins in the rat.

I think there aren't a lot of reptiles owners in Ireland and not a problem with net access but to simply awarnes of this forum....I found it myself a week or two ago and I'm on the web for like 10 years or so....

Keep in touch !

Scorpionstar

Hi again,

well I talked to some breeders of feeders (ryme:D ) from the UK and most of them use CO2 but if N2 is better and faster that's an option. However there is still the problem where to get it from though without having to open a business account with some company.

Any ideas? No I didn't mean really the black market :ninja: though - it must be all legal - in a way

I had a conversation with my husband regarding your Boa and he feels in the moment we could not take on another reptile, so I have to pass on that one - sorry. What I don't understand is why a Boa shouldn't get along with a baby or two or three or more? All it would take is to transform baby's nursery into a jungle and let it play ' Jungle baby with boa':D - only joking! couldn't you let your Boa live with a sitter for a tiny charge (there are enough loners out there and you wouldn't need to give him away. Or another way would be to rent him out to make up for the nappy use of the 'baby' -

Well, duty calls, got to go, one of my pan lids are calling for a game of Rumey.

Oh, & let me know if you someone who wnats to get rid of their N2.

FAYESY

Hi Scorpian Star,

I have some rats for sale if you are interested?? they were bred for the pet market but not many people like ratties!! so I have a surplus of HUGE husky rats they are very big compared to some of the hooded rats I've seen in Dublin I also breed Dumbo rats which are bigger again than the Husky's they look like giant mice! soo cute.

The best way to breed the rats is to keep a pair together, daddy rat will not hurt the babies! give them a largeish cage & they can have upto 23 babies every 28 days!!!!

If you want any advice on breeding rats let me know you can text me on 087-*******

Regards

Faye

Martin,

I have spoken to my family & I can not take the boa, my mum is only looking for a rosy boa at the moment & a female royal python. Sorry

Kind Regards

Faye

Scorpionstar

Hi Faye,

thank you for offering your rats but I do have a rat supplier now from Dublin who provides me with my breeding stock in the moment however if I do need anymore I will keep your mobile number handy.

Take care.

koneko

Fayesy,

You might want to take your mobile number back down, in case wackos or spammers start ringing you.

MartinHSabag

No probs Faye.

monty_python

did this ever get off the ground???

Demonique

My snakes would like to know too

deano77777

well, did anything ever happen with this.

Im in the process of carring out a fesasibility study on opening a rat farm to produce frozen rats.
Im hopping to post frozen rodents around the courty.
Iv a couple of post up about it already, if anyone is interest please show your interest. The more people that are interested the more likey it is i will start one.