Abstract
Rodent feeder devices are often made of reusable, sanitizable materials such as glass and stainless steel. As part of an initiative at the authors' facility to automate the feeder filling process, disposable plastic feeding cups were proposed as a preferable alternative to standard feeders for use in a filling machine. The authors tested and validated designs for rodent meal-type feeder assemblies that incorporated plastic cups. Assemblies included stainless steel shields that prevented rats and mice from chewing on the plastic cups while allowing them full access to food. The use of disposable feeder cups that are filled and sealed automatically reduces labor associated with sanitation, enables staff to prepare feeders for several weeks in advance and limits personnel contact with feed that may contain harmful chemicals.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Donald Smith, Joel Jannisse, John Prough and Juliann Janies from Pfizer, Inc. for all their contributions and commitment to success while working on this project. Special thanks to the Lab Automation unit's personnel, Larry Carter and Craig Biland, for fabrication of the many shield design changes.
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The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Toler, J., Gleason, D., Clare, L. et al. Disposable plastic rodent feeders for use in an automated filling system. Lab Anim 37, 415–419 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0908-415
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0908-415