Small Scale ASF's!! HELP!!

[bleezybreeder2012]

Hello! First posting here. I am in the later stages of my set up to get started. I have been on here alot as well as other forums for breeding feeders. My main question is how small can I go with the rubbermaid or sterilite container? I was thinking about doing about 16ish quarts, with 1/4 inch hardware cloth on the lid for venting and food. Anyone with this size set up or any tips would be awesome. I do already have an aquarium already but would like to go with the tubs since they are more easily expandable and portable. Thanks!

[wolfy-hound]

1/4 inch mesh will not allow the food through. But you can put the food IN the bin.

I can't really advise on the bin size, I only do regular rats. I do know some people have issues with the ASF chewing out of various bins though.

[Rhasputin]

For a 1.4 group i would suggest at least 10'' x 20'' or equivilent, of available floor space.

1/4'' mesh is too small to feed through. Just throw the food on the litter.

[mastaxaph]

I must spoil my mice that's kinda small in my eyes. My mice are in a 35qt min. For asf I'd stick with 35 atleast

[BrianWilson]

I use 1/4 inch hardware cloth on all my ASF tub, tops. They seem to feed through them just fine. Had them this way for around, three months now and have produced well over 50+ babies with a 6 bin rack and 3-1 ratio. They all seem well fed and happy.

[Rhasputin]

I must spoil my mice that's kinda small in my eyes. My mice are in a 35qt min. For asf I'd stick with 35 atleast

10'' by 20'' is the size of a ten gallon aquarium, it's fine for 5 ASFs, or mice.

[reptilegirl07]

My asf's have been eating fine through 1/4 inch mesh for the past week. *shrug*

Mice have been eating through it forever

[bleezybreeder2012]

I have seen plenty of youtube vids with people using the small shoebox sized tubs for them. I know that its probably more efficient to do 1.3 or higher ratios but im going to stick to 1.2-1.3 for mine so i dont think ill need to use the 10 gal tank for them.
Is it safe to assume that if a ten gal tank can support a 1.4 ratio that something a little over roughly half that size could fit a 1.2 ratio colony?

[Rhasputin]

Well, there's kind of a magical amount of floor space in a ten gallon. If you go much smaller, even 2 ASFs can be cramped. Cramping them can result in chewing issues, and agression.

I have some ASFs that are kept in 5 gallon tanks, but they are in pet colonies, with 3 female mice also. I feel like if there were another ASF in there, it would be too too too cramped. 1.1 -might- fit, but 1.2 would be really tight, to me.