[Jevaud]

While I'm sure most of us would squirm at the idea of eating rats. I have some pet rats that just had a litter. I'm pursuing the prospect of farming rats for food and fur. While rats have an ill reputation in the West, in most oriental countries rat meat is a staple, in some places in India a delicacy. And in many place the price of rat meat exceeds that of chicken and sometimes even beef (that would make sense in India). I have been studying this idea online. I mean, if push comes to shove, why not? Rats have been identified as consumable by humans.

What are y'alls thoughts on this? Any ideas. Since I'm looking into rabbit pelt tanning, maybe I can use that same knowledge to tan rat hides... they aren't any smaller than squirrels at any rate. It would take a lot, but hey, it's another option on the table. Though I've never heard too much demand for rat-fur coats.

 

[Sam Reeves]

Nope.......

 

[Aubb]

Sounds good to me,I'd love to eat rats.

 

[Sweeper]

Sounds good to me,I'd love to eat rats.

Ditto, rat sounds like a fine meal.

 

[Mama Bear]

While I'm sure most of us would squirm at the idea of eating rats. I have some pet rats that just had a litter. I'm pursuing the prospect of farming rats for food and fur. While rats have an ill reputation in the West, in most oriental countries rat meat is a staple, in some places in India a delicacy. And in many place the price of rat meat exceeds that of chicken and sometimes even beef (that would make sense in India). I have been studying this idea online. I mean, if push comes to shove, why not? Rats have been identified as consumable by humans.

What are y'alls thoughts on this? Any ideas. Since I'm looking into rabbit pelt tanning, maybe I can use that same knowledge to tan rat hides... they aren't any smaller than squirrels at any rate. It would take a lot, but hey, it's another option on the table. Though I've never heard too much demand for rat-fur coats.

... I think..... ewwwwww ... So long as I have a garden and canning capabilities and the grocery stores and Walbastard is still operating- I ain't eating rat. I'd choose chickens over rat myself.... I'd even go for rabbit first since they're bigger. If I have access to animals that my culture DOES consider food- I'm goin with *them*...

 

[Henrygt]

I know if I was real hungry I'd eat the butthole out of a skunk, so chosing starvation or rat eating....I'll imagine that they are little cheese filled cows and cover em with honey and all spice. Ummmm yummy.

 

[Mama Bear]

I know if I was real hungry I'd eat the butthole out of a skunk, so chosing starvation or rat eating....I'll imagine that they are little cheese filled cows and cover em with honey and all spice. Ummmm yummy.

Sure- if I were hungry enough? I'd eat em. No problem. But if I'm considering what animal to raise for this purpose? Rat is NOT at the top of that list LOL

 

[cadethepagan]

Rat Burger anyone?

-Cade

 

[Jevaud]

Here are some web links I stumbled across on the subject of rats for food:

http://www.earthportals.com/Portal_Messenger/ratfordinner.html

http://www.snopes.com/photos/food/rats.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat

http://thesop.org/index.php?article=13260

http://www.roofrats.org/roof_rat_recipes.htm

 

[Jevaud]

Ha ha! I found a video on it!

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/reuters/4150-rat-meat-stir-fry-video.htm

 

[Paulycracker]

in some places in India a delicacy.

Actually, if you've ever been to Mumbai you'd know they are all they have to eat. They aren't a delicacy in the least bit. But they are food as long as they are in the fields because of less germs (note less not none or little). City rodenté is :taped:.

 

[B.B.A.Survivalist]

MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm Rat

 

[test]

I know if I was real hungry I'd eat the butthole out of a skunk, so chosing starvation or rat eating....I'll imagine that they are little cheese filled cows and cover em with honey and all spice. Ummmm yummy.

[laughing her fool head off]

That makes an unsavory mental picture, indeed!

Thanx for the laugh!

 

[Garra]

You'd be amazed what you will eat when your hungry enough.

Rats are just another little furry meal waiting to be enjoyed.

 

[Paulycracker]

You'd be amazed what you will eat when your hungry enough.

Rats are just another little furry meal waiting to be enjoyed.

Not sewer rats. I'd rather starve. :taped::xeye:

 

[shotgunken]

rats would beat starving anyday, probally go good with rice????????????

 

[cadethepagan]

Not much meat on rats. Tiny little bones, lot of time to seperate meat from bones. If I was starving I would rather not have to spend so much preparation time on cutting up a rat and cooking it with so many spices and such. I could easily just eat my neighbors.

-Cade

 

[ActionJackson]

While I'm sure most of us would squirm at the idea of eating rats. I have some pet rats that just had a litter. I'm pursuing the prospect of farming rats for food and fur. While rats have an ill reputation in the West, in most oriental countries rat meat is a staple, in some places in India a delicacy. And in many place the price of rat meat exceeds that of chicken and sometimes even beef (that would make sense in India). I have been studying this idea online. I mean, if push comes to shove, why not? Rats have been identified as consumable by humans.

What are y'alls thoughts on this? Any ideas. Since I'm looking into rabbit pelt tanning, maybe I can use that same knowledge to tan rat hides... they aren't any smaller than squirrels at any rate. It would take a lot, but hey, it's another option on the table. Though I've never heard too much demand for rat-fur coats.

I would eat grubs or tree bark before I ate a rat. I doubt that the fur would be very valuable. The skin is too thin and it would take two lifetimes to sew enough rat pelts together to make anything. IMO. I certainly wouldn't be one of your customers but I can assure you that someone within our multicultural society would gladly pay $100.00 per head (and they might give you something for the body as well).

 

[ActionJackson]

Rat Burger anyone?

-Cade

It wasn't but a few years ago that rat meat was discovered in the burgers of one of the fast food chains. I believe it was Wendy's but could have been Burger King. Whatever the case...I wasn't a bit surprised. I wouldn't eat that cat food if you paid me.

 

[birdman]

I raise rats for reptile food (usually have a couple hundred in various sizes.) The rats have a diet (similar to a chicken's) that's cleaner than what many pigs eat. The "eeewww" factor comes from the wild "sewer" rats that eat most anything including garbage, feces and anything else they can find (though given the option they seem to prefer birdseed and dogfood over other stuff.)

I certainly would consider eating domestic raised rats if I were hungry enough... Heck my snakes love 'em. I've raised pigs and I've raised rats. The rats are much cleaner...

Allan