A New Feeder for Powdered Diets

Abstract

A new feeder for powdered diets was developed for use with small rodents. The feeder has unique advantages over commercially available feeders. Wastage is minimal, food intake can be measured, and it is adaptable to various rodent species and different types of powdered diets. This study describes and evaluates the new feeder using three animal groups - weanling rats, adult rats, and adult hamsters. In the rat studies, the rate of growth of weanling and adult rats fed commercial rat chow in pellet form using conventional feeders was the same as that of rats fed the same chow in meal form using the new feeders. Likewise in the hamster studies, the rate of growth of adult hamsters fed powdered semi-synthetic diet from conventional glass jars was the same as those fed the same diet from the new feeders. The new feeders supplied the animals with a continuous supply of meal free of contamination from feces or urine. Unrecoverable spillage (wastage) was 1-2% of the amount of food given. The new feeders were easy to handle and clean, had ample capacity, and needed little attention.