ASF's birth to weaning

Ok someone asked if I would do this, so I tracked my first 3 litters. I hope it is helpful to some.

Asf’s
First 3 weeks of life

African soft furred rats are born with fuzz on them, although it’s not quite noticeable right at birth.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps100_2137.jpg

Once they are a few hours old & dry they look like this.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...100_2157-2.jpg

At day 2 they are approximately 2 grams in weight

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...am100_2180.jpg

At day 4 they are approximately 4 grams in weight

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ms100_2194.jpg

And even though their eyes are still closed, they manage to find their way back into the nest if dragged out.

Asf's will nurse and care for each others litters.


At 7 days old their eyes remain closed, they are starting to crawl from the nest. ( mothers have made 2 nest piles now)

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ys100_2210.jpg

At 9 days litter #1 is weighing in at 5 grams. Eyes remain closed . There are 3 litters in this tank, over 21 babies, tried separating into 2 different piles but the moms just piled ‘em back into 1 big pile, so we’ll have survival of the strongest I guess. Which is also why there should not be more than 3 females in a colony.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ed100_2231.jpg


At day 12 & 13, they are very active, not gaining weight as fast as litter #2, eyes remain closed

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ld100_2260.jpg

At 14 days old their eyes are beginning to open, they are venturing away from the nest, weight is around 9 grams. They are grooming themselves also.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ms100_2290.jpg

At 3 weeks old litter #2 is 14g while litters #1 & #3 range from 9-11g. All are eating and drinking so I decided to go ahead wean them off. They are eating Mazuri 6F, but I also give them a mixture of Apples, carrots, sunflower seeds and cheerios or dried bread or oats.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...gr100_2325.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ks100_2323.jpg

Nicely done. Thanks for the photo's. 9-11 grms seems to be my norm at 3 weeks of age.

That's awesome, and i'm sure a lot of work! Nicely done :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tnelsonfla

Nicely done. Thanks for the photo's. 9-11 grms seems to be my norm at 3 weeks of age.

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Thanks Tom, the 14gr chunkers were the only litter in that tank, the others that are 9-11gr came from the second tank that had 3 litters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

That's awesome, and i'm sure a lot of work! Nicely done :D

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Thanks Stratus, I've got one female that's like a pit bull, she locks on and doesn't let go lol, so betwwen using a dust pan to keep them cornered while I removed the babies and take pics, it was fun :P