ASF Smell??

hey guys and gals,

i am wanting to switch my collection over to ASF, but if i do that would mean breeding, ive bred mice and rats in the past, living in a one bedroom apt would the smell be noticable? planning to clean every other week. most likely 1.2 ratio. the smell wouldnt really bother me but its my fiance' i have to convince. i appreciate any insight, thanks.

How many snakes do you own? You have to take into consideration that asf's are slow growers. As far as smell it's definitely not as bad as rats or mice.

For smell ASFs are the way to go. I have my breeding groups set up 2.5 in mortar tubs and spot clean the tubs by only picking up the area they urinate and defecate in once a week and only do complete tub changes once every 4-6 weeks. Even at that I have to literally put my head inside the tub to get any scent at all. The great thing about ASFs is that they pick a spot to poop and pee making spot cleaning possible.

A quick suggestion... I don't know how much you know about ASFs but I would suggest a larger breeding group such as 2,4 or 2.5. ASFs are very colonized and if something happens to the male the colony won't allow the introduction of new members so in a 1.2 colony if your male dies you'll be forced to feed off the females and start over. That's been my experience anyway.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

How many snakes do you own? You have to take into consideration that asf's are slow growers.

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Agreed it takes quite a while to get production up and going and animal for animal they will never produce as fast as rats.

The only bad thing about ASF's, are:
You can't get them to breed... Then all of the sudden, you can't get them to stop! :O
Colony is the best way to go,for sure...

I have 4; 3 bp, 1brb. Plus I have friends with snakes so I could sell off if I get over run

So should I set up two seperate groups? Or should I leave a 2.5 all in the same tub??

2.5 all in one tub

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Originally Posted by jasbus

The only bad thing about ASF's, are:
You can't get them to breed... Then all of the sudden, you can't get them to stop! :O.

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Lmao that's Soooooo true :)

wat about keeping the snakes and the asf's in the same room?

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Originally Posted by GR8DANE

wat about keeping the snakes and the asf's in the same room?

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I have my snakes and asf rats that i breed in the same area in my gerage.the only isue youll have is the sent the snake might pick up so there always will be looking for food.other then that i havent had a problem.my snakes eat on feeding day with a very quick responce maybe because the been drooling the whole time till feeding day.lol as long as you maintain there bins and keep it clean you shouldnt have a problem.