Asf litter question

I have ten baby ASF's that are still in a separate bin with their mother. I want to reintroduce Mom to the ASF colony, but didn't know how old the babies have to be. I would say their bodies, without the tail, is the size of a quarter. All their eyes are open and they are running around on their own. I don't think they are nursing anymore. Am I good to go?

I would watch them closely. If they are still nursing I would leave them in there. Usually the mom will stay away from the babies when she's ready to be moved.

Since when can you separate asfs and not have them kill each other when another individual is added? I've had trouble at times getting a new group to start without them killing the male, never had one success yet trying to add a male or female to an existing colony. Or are you not keeping them in colony groups?

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Originally Posted by Darkbird

Since when can you separate asfs and not have them kill each other when another individual is added? I've had trouble at times getting a new group to start without them killing the male, never had one success yet trying to add a male or female to an existing colony. Or are you not keeping them in colony groups?

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No, they've been having some problems with their colonies so have been breeding them more like a Norwegian rat. As for reintroducing, as far as I have read, you have to separate all your females from their babies for atleast a few days before you can introduce any new rats. Also need to make sure they aren't pregnant, so if you are colony breeding you will probably have to remove any males from the tank for 6+ weeks before trying to introduce anyone new.



Now as for the original question, as far as I can tell they tend to be weaned a day or so after they open their eyes. However I will say putting them into a grow out bin with some slightly older asf's is a good idea, because the little ones tend to learn where the food and water is a bit faster when they see others eating/drinking in the new bin.

Ah, OK , that makes more sense. Sounds like a huge pain though.

Thx. I separated them from Mom and reintroduced Mom back to the colony without an issue.

Yeah you never, never disrupt the colony by taking anyone in or out. In fact if I need a new male or female I just let one of the babies grow into the colony.