New tips and tricks for breeding rodents!

In this video I'll showcase my rodent breeding operation and include some new tips and tricks that I've learned in the last few months.
Enjoy!
Here's my 'fan mail' address if you are interesting in sending me a letter, photos, stickers, t-shirts, etc... If you send me a snake be sure to give me a heads up!
Chris Hardwick
PO Box 893
Pine, CO 80470-9998
If you are interested in the camera and lighting gear I used to produce these videos here are a few affiliate links below:
This is the camera I use to shoot all my videos (Canon 77D):
amzn.to/2EIEzP5
Here's the tripod I use:
amzn.to/2lbEMn1
This is the SD card for the camera:
amzn.to/2KldhCj
Here's the lens I use (Canon EF-S 10-18mm)
amzn.to/30SK8nO
This is my studio lighting:
amzn.to/2HIhoq5
Here are my batteries for my studio lights:
amzn.to/30WtxQ3
Here's the bag I use for my camera gear:
amzn.to/2YYF2Er

[@yoona_bunny9939]

You’re like a super awesome snake dad. I’d kill to have a dad or uncle like you. You seem so happy and chill, very passionate about what you do.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Just living the dream!

[@DIDToddlers]

I have so many questions/videos ahead of me. Going on a Chris Hardwick marathon. Lol

[@danielarejgar]

I don't have any snakes nor ever will, but I have 4 cats. This is very useful.

[@concernednoiseo1909]

Nice set up, love seeing when reptile breeders actually keep their feeders in decent conditions. I've had pet snakes and pet rats and think it's better for both feeder and reptile when the conditions are clean and not cruel.

[@The_Macaroon]

I really enjoy these videos and can't stop watching. I don't even keep snakes or rats lol.

[@numannorshahrin18]

Thanks for sharing this, really needed it!!

[@SlorideI20]

Good info as usual. Thanks for sharing Chris.

[@jeffwilliams4866]

Chris thank you for all you do...I always learn something from your vids.. great job bro!

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I appreciate that!

[@lukecairns2085]

Never thought to buy the ARS tubs then build the racks around them great idea!! Thank you!!

[@rodkirt9273]

That was pretty cool ,I learned a lot from it. 😀

[@rodkirt9273]

Great video. I will need to raise mice to feed my kingsnakes soon. This was the perfect tutorial.

[@Volcomej1]

Just idk if it’s just my experience but if you Breed nice it’s a lot of work. Like a lot. I tried it and it seemed like an every day thing making sure their having a healthy life

[@HBPExotics]

Awesome video...good tips...breeding rats is a lot of work...one tip I always give is put a piece of wood (1x1) pine and that way they have a chew block...I’ve myself have never had a chewed tub...awesome video..keep these coming

[@ThePythonBurrow]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@bambikelly388]

Yep they love it, I still feed fruit and such , but keep the rodent chow in at all times. Also you can use that dust for rat pups that are just weaned or getting ready to wean.

[@michaelonline1401]

Nice video!

[@dennissmithjr.5370]

Nice video, I almost didn't watch the video. I am not a snake person and when your video started and saw the snake around your neck, whew!!

[@stevejefferson635]

Dennis Smith Jr. then why are you watching this

[@cablebox615]

Hey Chris. Daily viewer! You can actually buy a RBI Rodent Drinking Valve Rebuild Kit from reptile basics. Snip a little bit of the sping off, and weaned rats and all mice should be able to drink easily from the drinking valve. Its a video on You Tube about where he snips the springs at.

[@EquitySolutionRayRaz]

Oh yeah my racks are mortar pans also but the rats can’t chew threw it , I keep my wire tops tight to the top and they can’t bite into them , but one tip if your doing ASF feed them a pinch of meal worms for chickens with thier food and they grow and breed twice as fast and the Norway rats love it too , has 50% crude protein and you get 5lbs for 25$ on amazon and just a lil bit each day I’d say doubles your growth rate it’s incredible, also we use horse bedding under thier substrate it’s 5 bucks for a 50 lb bag and so absorbing and scent control

[@reptilesrodents]

well since I started watching your adventures I have definitely grown. I have the. home made racks and its about 100 bucks per 9 tub rack and I'm not huge but I produce 200/250 rats a month right now and I freeze what I dont use and sell them at the expos to put money back into my snake and rat breeding.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

That's awesome!

[@jessiemcnemar4830]

Tractor supply sells the exact same size concrete mixing tubs in the horse feeding section. It's twice or more thick as the home depot tub. That's what I use now. It's the way to go if you want tubs without waiting the long lead times from freedom breeder or ars. They are $17 per tub. Well worth the investment.

[@timthespiderman8586]

Hey Chris I just wanted to say thanks because if it wasn't for your video on how to assist feed my butter genetic stripe male probably wouldn't be here right now he wouldn't eat wouldn't eat wouldn't eat lost a butt load of weight even after endless attempts I finally got him to eat due to assist feeding thank you sir

[@ballpythons6776]

Since I have 16 snakes I might just breed my own rats but I'm going to use those lab cages for rats. They hold three adults so 1.2, they eat the food/drink through the bars and easy to clean

[@johnplate9367]

I let my retired mice just live out and die naturally , the breeders that made it we're always tame and nice . It was always just what I did haha

[@christiansanchez1486]

I do the same thing rats really have it rough they’re some of the sweetest little things and only tend to love for about 3-4yrs evolution really cheated them short

[@toasty_cat123]

​​@@christiansanchez1486ctually, no. 2-3 yrs actually.

[@jaccnimble157]

Have you tried putting some kitty litter in the bedding? It helps to keep the smell down ive found and the rats dont mess with it

[@ReptilesGeniales]

Thanks for your advices! I agree ☝🏻 you want healthy rats to feed your snakes with - not sick or medicated ones....

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

👍😎

[@Dragospythons101]

What Ben is that for your rats 55 series? Gray ? And what does it mean by with or without cup holder

[@MRMIKEYGB]

Hi Chris. I have purchased a 4 gallon watering reservoir. I have it set up have you ever had mice not able to use the water nozzle? Is that a common issue with this set up?

[@sspyder181]

I bought tubs from freedom breeder and made my racks... Works great 👍

[@jaddenmp]

Phil Snyder what size tub did you buy?

[@burninfate406]

What size did you buy?

[@sspyder181]

@@burninfate406 fb10 , 40 and 70

[@burninfate406]

@@sspyder181 is there just one size you can use to house a family. Say 1 male, 2 females and just let all the babies grow out. F40?

[@sspyder181]

@@burninfate406 no... Snakes are kept alone, not in families.

[@allenblevins5878]

What disinfectant do you use now that it seems F10 is discontinued?

[@martinexoticsusa]

I just got a male and female rat, ARS is local so I might go over and buy some tubs and make a smaller rack, I’m not gonna be needing too many rats Bc I only have a handful of BP’s and they’re all breeders but I don’t really hold back hatchlings too much

[@seankearney2366]

Bro! I save the dust too...every couple bags I put hot water in a bucket and whip it up and press cookies with it. I then allow to dry and feed it to the rats as well. Nothing wasted lol

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Great idea!

[@apocalypsenow2278]

Hello Chris , Have been watching your growth over last year . Very impressive . Have been thinking about trying to some how turn the mazuri powder into a dough. Possibly be able to use it for the rodents after .. Have you tried this? What are your thoughts on this ?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I haven't tried it but I've heard of people doing it.

[@chelsycastlow904]

Hey Chris can you give us your opinion on the new freedom breeder rat oven? I believe it’s still patenting. What is your thought? Is it worth the money???

[@Fortis_Reptiles]

Can you show us how you set up the exhaust for your rat room?

[@hognosefever123]

Great video can you tell me at how many days can I ween

[@jonflannery8984]

Had the same problem with the watering system not working for the smaller mice. Have you had any luck with the diaphragm valves for this? Those bottles were my solution as well but that machine gunning noise can drive you bonkers haha.

[@ashleyw7588]

Is it required to keep reptiles and snakes in a different room then your rodent room if your lacking in space what can you do

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I keep them in the same room, no problem.

[@jonflannery8984]

Hey Chris as I’ve mentioned before I’m interested in getting into breeding ball pythons as a serious hobby. What kind of setup for rodent farming would you recommend for 4-5 hatchlings, 6-8 subadults and 3-4 adults? How many male/female mice/rats would you suggest I start with and with shipping so tight on rodents how do you recommend getting a started in acquiring live fertile breeders?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I'd probably start with a couple levels of an ARS rat growout rack and build it up from there. Most people will say to have one female rat per snake. Usually you can get live feeders from reptile pet shops or reptile shows.

[@delacruzmark13]

What size do you start breeding your female rats or how many grams the female need to be for you to start breeding them?

[@davejames2015]

Awe crap Bobby got into the roadent cage lol

[@jdl713]

paper clips or even clothing pins would have done this set up wonders with the problem of the nozzles. Just clip them on and never have to worry about them

[@benhillman11]

Hey Chris, have you crunched the numbers to see how much you save by breeding your own rodents? Is it a substantial savings over buying from a local breeder? Just curious about your reply before I get into breeding myself. And my question is more pertaining to the month to month upkeep and expense and not the initial investment for all the caging. Thanks!

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I haven't crunched the numbers, if I used dog food instead of Mazuri I'd save a bunch more, and if I used free shredded paper instead of pine shavings it would be really cheap. But I like the convenience more than anything.

[@davidcallahan4367]

Hey Chris, what bedding do you use?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

For my rats I use Rocky Mountain pine bedding, I buy it at the feed store.

[@mrpoetaetoe]

?hey chris what do they call the tp of the water dispenser?or nozzle....

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Not sure...

[@SouthWestIron]

I'm wondering if you could reconstitute that dust into more blocks? You can't compress water but I bet you could mix it with water and dry it out and make more blocks,cakes, etc.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

That's a good idea! I was actually wondering if I could sell it to the pet store as a generic dubia roach food...

[@SouthWestIron]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures Steam cooked extrusion is how they make those pellets.

[@lonestar1775]

Where do you buy your Mazuri 6f? I am currently getting mine on amazon for around $65/50 pounds.

[@lonestar1775]

Update: I now get it from CountryMax. $27.15/ bag plus shipping. $42 total/50 lbs bag now.

[@USBCablez]

I pay $25.99 a bag

[@Springfield-eo8jl]

@@lonestar1775 I get mine at a local feed store for $23.99

[@lonestar1775]

None of my local feed store carry it sadly.

[@Springfield-eo8jl]

@@lonestar1775 you can order it directly from Mazuri. With shipping its about $1/pound

[@nine1573]

Do you have any problems with smell from that rack there are quite a few tubs in that rack?

[@nine1573]

apologies should've watched the video before asking.

[@coreysolomon2818]

Hey Chris I feed my ball python afsr live. Thinking about going frozen. Question will it be a problem or just stick with live?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Frozen is safer, I'd give it a try.

[@michaelonline1401]

Chris are you sure that you were looking at the concrete tubs ? Because they don't flex easy.

[@melteague117]

My brother raised rats to sell at pet stores when we were kids and you don’t have to separate a male and female pair when she has babies as the father rat will help raise the babies by laying on them to keep them warm while the mama gets a break to eat .

[@AmyBelindax]

The reason why some people separate is because there is a high chance of daddy rat killing all his baby boys after a certain age plus daddy rat also likes to get frisky straight after she’s given birth it’s just easier that was to keep an eye on babies and mumma :)

[@ssnape1135]

my mouse just built her nest i think she’s a first time mom anything i should do for her?

[@misterzane3346]

My 2 🐍's like this video

[@royalambassadorreptiles9919]

You can get those water clips for the sippers from www.klubertanz.com. If you want to clip your sippers down

[@michaelross5674]

My Pvc snake cages I buy freedom breeder tubs and build rack to them

[@jazminesanchez7449]

Hey Chris, I just started breeding the rats. Do u have an issue with male rats eating the babies?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Nope, never happened to me before.

[@Springfield-eo8jl]

My first litter I had a female Cull 4 babies as soon as I removed the male she stopped culling

[@maogenbu2095]

Hi Chris your video are very educational. You learn a lot. Good for you. I wanted to ask you a question, I'm interested in raising Benin mice to feed the ball pythons, but there's no such species in my country. Do you know who you can contact to see if it can be imported? Do you have experience in breeding Benin Mouse? Any advice you can give me will be very. Greetings and thank you very much.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You can ship rodents but from what I've heard you have to pick them up at an airport and have special containers for them. I've never shipped rodents before, it can be expensive from what I've heard.

[@maogenbu2095]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures Thank you Chris for your response. I'm really interested in bringing Benín Mice but I don't know anyone who sells them in U.S.A. I've only seen in countries like Spain and it would come out very expensive I'd believe. 👍

[@OlWolf1011]

HAHA! I wanna know how you can stick your hand in an enclosure with a nursing doe, and not come out bleeding! My does, when they have a nest will slice me up if I try to move pups... and their teeth are so sharp you don't feel it till you see the blood! I never had anything bite me where I bled so freely - like a razor!

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

My rats are pretty chill, I've never been bit.

[@OlWolf1011]

Chris Hardwick Mine are OK handling... it's just the mothers are extremely protective when nursing pups.

[@MrJport1]

What bedding are you using? My local pet store as VERY course shavings...yours looks really fine. Also, can you tell me the actual tub sizes? I have four colonies and I’m using aquariums...I’d like to transition to this style.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You can get the tub sizes over at ARS Caging. I use a pine bedding that I get from a local feed store, sometimes its fine sometimes it pretty course and fluffy.

[@MrJport1]

Chris Hardwick ARS...got it. Thanks Chris! Definitely loving your vids. I’m finding yours much more informative and much less “showing off my snakes” than most guys. Keep it up!

[@hhhserpents5495]

So how much do you spend monthly on rat food, bedding, nozzles, etc?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

A lot LOL

[@lugiaaeroblast4330]

What food do you buy? Website link to buy in bulk?

[@junehansen9749]

5 weeks old, then they are weend. and productive ;)

[@robertguy1539]

do you keep a male with each colony, or only add one when you want to breed?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I keep the males with the females.

[@robertguy1539]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures just to clarify, when you have hoppers, and the mother has another litter of pinkies, when you separate the pinkies, do you just take any lactating mother and put with the pinkies? I am guessing mothers will nurse any babies and not just their own?. Thanks . I watch a lot of your videos, some over and over.

[@banginbzproduction6189]

What’s the hottest temp you think rodents can withstand being outside breed Chris ?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I heard they breed best between 70F and 80F. I also heard of people breeding them from 45F to 100F, of course production is decreased the further you get from ideal.

[@banginbzproduction6189]

Chris Hardwick true, around 4th of July it got so hot around where I’m at that the asf’s I had on the side to breed in my garage suffered from a heat wave in the highs @ about 113... I would think them being from Africa would be adaptable to high temps ?

[@GameOfMorphs]

what do you feed the roaches to? i have a colony my self i feed them to my leopard geckos that i keep/breed, i've got some videos, no where near the quality of content or camera as you but if you ever get bored... :)

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I have a tarantula, a giant PacMan frog, and a couple leopard geckos.

[@GameOfMorphs]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures Oh wow, I'll be i'm not the only one who would like to see those! i havent seen all your videos but i've been watching daily for a few months now.

[@robertbishop5859]

Hey sir what bedding are you using for your rats

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I'm using a kiln dried dust free pine bedding

[@chynablaccc]

It’s called a strainer for the pasta drain

[@tammydemerchant6330]

Jesse from Freedom Breeder says you shouldn't keep rodents in same room with snakes. He said the temp is too high for them, snakes need a higher temp which cause the rodents to be very uncomfortable

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I got this from Google, "Optimal temperature range for rats and mice is between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a relative humidity of 40 o 70%". My snake room is 80F and 50% humidity, perfect for breeding rats and mice.

[@quincybrown6793]

Can I get the smaller rack system by itself and if so where?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I bought all my racks from ARS Caging.

[@quincybrown6793]

Chris Hardwick thanks for responding but I mean the one in a previous video the one you keep your mice in and is welded on could you please leave a link

[@michaelross5674]

U can buy powder oranges and use for roaches

[@chelsycastlow904]

Hey Chris can u do the difference in orange ghost and orange dream? I’ve tried to research it.. can you go into the genetics? What’s the difference are they the same? Thanks

[@chelsycastlow904]

And also lavender albino and regular albino in detail with morphing.. I know you have touched on it a tad but just said they are not the same.. I know this one but new guys learning morphs would appreciate it

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I haven't worked with those genes, but I do know the orange ghost is recessive, the orange dream is co-dominant and has a super. The orange dream also have different lines, some are brighter than others.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I haven't worked with the lavender albino, not really sure of the differences side by side.

[@jackkonnof4106]

I like to use the fines in the bag for my doobie roaches too.

[@chestersykes5124]

Also, you can buy rodents online that are frozen. Pretty cheap these days.

[@Dovietail]

two magic words: HEMP BEDDING. Works a treat to absorb ammonia and wee wee odor.

[@R2D242D]

How much do you save by breeding, when does it become cost effective.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

The convenience is what I like more than the cost savings... You can save more by getting rid of the non productive rats and using really good organization. If you sell a few as pets you make even more.

[@R2D242D]

@@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures, makes sense. I am really interested in getting one of Bobby's babies, he really is a excellent example of bamboo. Hope you decide to ship some soon. I want to work on a bamboo clown line that I can then add different things too such as banana or cg, pastel or od. But having a main line of bamboo clowns and see how they differ from blade clowns besides in what can be produced.

[@davemalin6380]

Have you ever tried kitty litter to minimize the smell of your rodents?

[@chasingthefish9042]

@Todd m I am curious what effect would kitty litter have on a ball python. Do you have first hand knowledge?

[@davemalin6380]

I'm not sure. Just wondering if it would stop the rodent smell.

[@LittlePaws18120]

Most Kitty litter will kill the rats. It gives them upper respiratory infection.

[@Bastetiah]

can you link the big tubs??

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I got all my racks from ARS, check it out: www.arscaging.com/welcome.php

[@Bastetiah]

thanks!!

[@michaelross5674]

If I had alot of snakes I would breed them too

[@cuddletimecritters]

What do you do if rat gets loose???

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

They only get out when I'm cleaning, then I tear apart the room and chase them around until I catch them LOL

[@edchauvin1190]

Cement mixing tubs for raising rodents is not the best choice, I use Winco PL-5K dish tubs for mice and Winco PL-7K dish tubs for rats. I've never had a chew out.

[@Babygirl-te3ju]

I actually just made one with those tubs I can send u some pictures if your like?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Sure, just post a link in the comments section and I'll see it.

[@PeterShipley1]

The retired mom's can adopt pinkie's and start nursing.

[@stephy_d814]

Comment number one

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

You missed it by one minute LOL

[@tonifranco2685]

Do you ever have a problem with the females losing weight when they are pregnant or nursing all the time?

[@GameOfMorphs]

first!

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@preppergirl2866]

Where can you buy the Co2 tanks and equipment to euthanize the rodents? How do you catch a rodent that escapes?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I buy the tanks from any grow store or hydroponics store. Here's an affiliate link for the regulator I use: amzn.to/2zrw1g6 I catch a loose rat by the tail LOL

[@katiestuart8974]

How much are your rats? Anyway you'd sell us the retired ones? We are trying to breed for our supply, but can't keep up And keep having to buy.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I usually don't sell to the public, and my retired breeders usually don't produce any more. Sometimes I keep male and females together with no babies at all. I'd start with middle aged rats. 5280 reptiles down in Denver should have some live ones.

[@braylynnsnyder2008]

Are you selling rats now bc i need 2 males and 2 females 5-7 months of age and im definitely in desperate need of them?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

No, I don't sell rats and I've been on a lock down for over a month now, we don't go out or let anyone in. We are waiting for the vaccine LOL

[@braylynnsnyder2008]

Lol lol🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that sounds good lol thankss

[@markhodgson2348]

What dose rat taste like

[@merlin3381]

Can't you just use cardboard sheets for the bedding, I think that would be easier and cheaper, like free. Vacuum out the poop.

[@ryantaylor5716]

All the little balls flopping around 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@TotoTortoiseNFriends]

Why all video u r holding same snake

[@jesusdavila5661]

Hey Chris if you use code KENAN30 saves you around 20% on mazuri rodent breeder i just ordered a 50 pound bag for like 24 dlls

[@montepoteet6604]

Will it work from Amazon?

[@LittlePaws18120]

I get the same price at a feed store in town. Great rodent food.

[@lonestar1775]

Where are you ordering from?

[@jesusdavila5661]

Mazuri.com

[@USBCablez]

Yea if you can afford a ASR Rack... must be nice

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

Good thing about ARS is you can buy one level at a time.

[@kaylahobbs6550]

When I grow up I wanna be a rodent breeder I’ll have 1 max girls in one and 1 max boys in one so one girl and one boy so I don’t get too much babies and I’ll give 1 baby free from the first person who wants a rodent 😋🤩🙂😄😃😀😄😁

[@johnblaha5692]

Hugh downs lol

[@ForkDick_420]

They don’t seem like they get the proper airflow rats have respiratory issue all the time

[@Dovietail]

i am copying your excellent breeding pod method. rodents like a stable group. adult strangers can kill each other!

[@darigazz666]

"Dont pick them up by the tail" well how the hell else are you going to pick them up?

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

If they were a lot tamer I'd pick them up around the belly, but I don't trust them that much LOL.

[@darigazz666]

I know right, like no, I'd rather not be bitten by a rodent thank you very much.

[@LittlePaws18120]

Pick them up from under the belly but as many dont realize is that breeder rats are not tame like a pet and the rats do jot like to be picked up as much so a gentle close to the body tail grab is just fine. But be careful or you can disconnect the tail from their body.

[@ForkDick_420]

Those racks just aren’t worth the money might as week just but rats and mice and save money as a posed to buying that rack set $$$$

[@ksfwfc2899]

Sell your retired rats on Facebook rat rescue groups.