Ideal Tub size for ASF rack

[ThyTempest]

Hey everyone,

I will be building a rack to house all of our ASF's over the next few days, and I had planned on using Deb's sticky for the mouse rack, but I am worried that the tubs may be a bit too small for ASF's. Do you all think the Small Van Ness litter pans are suitable, or should I try to find something a little bigger? I am concerned with both the height and floorspace. The Small litter pans measure 14x10x3/12. I am worried it is a little too short for the adults, but great for the weaners since they are so tiny when they start eating on their own. More floorspace would be good, but I am more or less deciding based on cost and availability right now, if I don't have to order tubs online that would be great.

Thanks

[suzuki4life]

does sound a bit small but my worry would be the hoppers.

Adults are quick....but no quicker than a normal mouse.


Hoppers on the other hand are down right insanely fast and they jump.

Between this and chewing I keep them in 10 gallon tanks.

[tonkatoyman]

We raise ASF's in 5.5" shallow bus tubs you can get at the local restaurant supplier. They work real good in a rack situation








?.? Too many to mention Balls
?.? Rats and ASF's for feeders. too many to mention

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You can keep a nice group in pans that measure (22¼ X 16¾ X 6¾) this allows you to have a wheel in each pan.

You can find them here for $5.59 http://www.kvvet.com/KVVet/productr....5093CA97B93B90

[ThyTempest]

Thanks for the replies. I wasnt planning on using wheels, but it may be a good way to deter chewing. Do you recommend them or do you see it more as a personal preference for you?

I looked around for litter pans and such today and have found all of the Van Ness sizes. I still don't really see how any them are just the perfect size though. Now that I have seen them first hand, I am less concerned about the height being so low in the small pans, but the floorspace is pretty limited. I was reading through Connies website and noticed another thing to consider. Since they are so tiny when they drink and eat on their own, wouldnt a shallow tub still tall enough for the adults be best? I think we are going to be putting some chunks of 2x2 or 2x4 in the tubs for the weans to stand up on to eat, but I am still a little concerned about the height of the water sipper if we use a watering system instead of bottles.

I guess for now, just keep letting me know what your rack uses, and pics are always helpful.

Thanks

[twh]

i use the van ness small cat litter pans for mice,1.5 works well.never had a escape and very little chewing.i think 1.2 or 1.3 would work well in that size pan but i'd be concerned about chewing.let us know if chewing in those tubs is a problem.

it's amazing how my colony (almost 2 years old) has calmed down,at first i was going to give up on them because they would chew up there lab block overnight,now that never happens.BTW i don't use wheels or chew blocks.i really like these guys,now if they would only grow faster.have fun!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Avoid the wheels unless you are just bored and want to spend the extra time cleaning and doing maintenance on them!

[rebeccabecca]

I have read that if the ASF rats have been exposed to a wheel they don't do well with out one and can cause havic in the colonies( basically killing each other). I have just one set with a wheel since I did that myself with out knowing. Most of the wheels are really bad with babies around as that can really hurt them.

[ThyTempest]

http://www.amazon.com/DOSKOCIL-MFG-2...842295&sr=8-15

I was thinking of that as a tub. If not that....I don't know. I can't make a decision, help me out.

I have local access to all Van Ness and Doskocil pans, and the one above I think (I saw one at a pet store that had good dimensions, but it was flimsy, I think it is the one in the link). Just to get all the info in one place,

Van Ness

Small--14 x 10 x 3.5 = 140 sq in floorspace --as seen in Deb's DIY Sticky
Medium--16 x 12 x 4 = 192 sq in
Large--18 3/8 x 14 7/8 x 5 = 270 sq in
Giant--22 x 16 x 6 1/2 = 352 sq in

Doskocil

Small--14.1 x 10.4 x 3.5 = 146 sq in
Medium-- 16 x 12 x 4 = 192 sq in
Large-- 18.5 x 15.3 x 5.3 = 283 sq in
Jumbo-- 22.3 x 16.8 x 6.8 = 374 sq in


Also, I am definitely not going to use a wheel, so the height factor should only what you would consider good for the species in general.

[littleindiangirl]

I've temporarily housed weaners in the vanness tubs, with water bottles, and they destroyed all of their food over night, but they leave it in crumbles on the floor of the tub, so don't refill it.

I think we are going to go with the V35 vision tubs when we build our rack. And keep the large bins I use now for holding.