ASF when are they weaned?

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Ok...

So my first litter is 17 days old. they just opened their eyes yesterday, and look EXACTLY like their parents, only small. full coats, bright eyes... they are so cute!

They are running around the tank, cleaning themselves, playing around just like their parents.

Question is, I plan to put them in their own grow up tank immediately after they are weaned. How exactly do I know when they are weaned? Is there a particular number of days I can stick to?

I know with rats and mice, they are considered weaned once you see them eating and drinking on their own... but I read in these forums that ASF's are eating and drinking a little on their own BEFORE they are weaned.

Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated. I am so excited! I am so close to NEVER having to buy a rat again! (except of course to freshen up the blood lines every year or so.. and of course when I find that out of the ordinary one that I MUST have!)

[littleindiangirl]

Regular rats will start to eat moms food at 2 weeks, that dont mean they are weaned.

[monk90222]

I give my ASF's 3-4 weeks with the parents. With such big litters, all the ASF babies will not be ready in 3 weeks...I take the bigger ones out after 3, then give the ones that are lagging behind another week with mom with less competiton for milk....