Evaluation of a new rat feeder for use in chemical toxicology and nutrition studies.

A rat feeder was designed, fabricated, and evaluated which eliminated many of the problems associated with commercially available rat feeders (such as inadequate feed capacity, excessive feed spillage, excessive feed contamination, and difficulties with cleaning feeders). The feeder was capable of holding up to 700 g of meal-type feed. It provided rats with a continuous supply of diet which was virtually free from feces and urine contamination. Feed waste due to spillage and inaccessible feed was minimal and estimated to average 0.8%. Growth and weight maintenance in weanling and adult rats using the feeder were similar when compared to rats receiving pelleted feed ad libitum.