I am currently using a 60% high-fat diet (D12492, Research Diets, Inc.), and the mice have shown rapid weight gain. However, I noticed that in many cages, a significant portion of the diet is being wasted. The feed pellets often become mixed with the corn cob bedding, making it difficult to accurately assess actual food intake. Since precise measurement of food consumption is essential for subsequent experiments, I would like to ask: are there any effective methods to reduce feed wastage?
Thx!
An ideal way to managing wasteage and weight gain is by measuring the amount of food delivered into the cages. Although we may follow the "ad libitum" strategy were we provide "ample" of food, we can still put a limit on this by weighing the amount of the food supplied to each cage/per rodent. How much to weight and provide I will leave it to you. Additionally, put a mesh into each cage on the floor, such that the rodents cannot hide food in the hay/husk as is their habit and spilled food is lost permanently anyways. A temperature controlled environment is also essential to ensure rodents retain any weight gained. Hot environments promote weight loss. Hope that helps.