ASF's have changed a lot over the years. More people should consider them.

There is a huge difference in temperment and imo growth speed depeding on ur stock.

3 colonies and 2 came from one source and 1 came from a different one.

The lone colony is shy and nervous all the time.. The other two are super curious and friendly. Standing looking out of the tub soon as its open.

I noticed about 30 days difference in growth rate too. The lone tub took the full 4 months to be ready to go. The other 2 tubs had litters within 3 based on birth dates i was given.. Ill have better records and proof now that there producing and i can hold back myself

Edit:
Genetics are key. I like these guys alot. They are a great feed source. Even with there slow growth rate. I just invested in a 27 tub rack to bump up production from my current 6 tub.

AND Even with 27 tubs. Ill still be better off then with a few tubs of horible smelling mice.

I want to start breeding rats to feed my balls but is it actually worth it frozen are only like 80 cents I just don't know lol seems like you guys have a great start

I've been breeding ASF's for years and years also. Mine don't bite, an occasional nip from a protective momma, but overall, they are more docile than most of my mice.

But, I still hate them.;)

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Originally Posted by spankege

I want to start breeding rats to feed my balls but is it actually worth it frozen are only like 80 cents I just don't know lol seems like you guys have a great start

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Depends on how many you have. It's worth it if you have a good collection, I'd say 3-4 or more.

I bred them 3 diff times. Each time for a year at a time.

All 3 times came from different sources from different parts of michigan and Ohio. Each time They were mean and Chewed the racks if i didnt have chew blocks in.

I dont have snakes that eat them, so i was breeding them and dropping off at BHB, and others that needed them. But it was PITA to deal with adults attacking my hand everytime id wean

I started my colony almost 2 years ago! I would occasionally get bit. I always would feed off the nippy ones. This tread made me sit back and think. I can't remember the last time that I got nipped from a ASF. All of my girls let me reach under them and take babies away. I even started breeding some groups of 2.8 without any fights. I have about 12 tubs of them right now.;) I have selectively bred them to be white. I'm not sure if this is linked to temperament, but most of my colony is all white ASF's. I almost feel bad feeding the little boogers now :rofl:

It's definitely not linked to temperament, my meanest ones are from you. :rofl:
Although, my sweetest one is a BEW, too. :P

Maybe I just got lucky with mine. I separated the original group I got into 2 colonies. 1 for color and 1 for temperament. These same rats from the breeder I got them from will rush across their tub and maul his tongs. Even the tub selected for color is friendly. They'll rear up like a hamster and squeak qith their eyes closed, but will not bite. All are very curious. I'll see if the "temperament" tub gets progressively more outgoing, but I also think part of it is how you interact with them.

Breeder I got them. From uses tongs and admittedly isn't very nice to them. I started off handling them before they had their first litters, and gently scoot them off their babies. They're neat little critters to work with, and I have a couple that will let me scritch their heads while they close their eyes and stretch out their legs :)

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

It's definitely not linked to temperament, my meanest ones are from you. :rofl:
Although, my sweetest one is a BEW, too. :P

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:rofl: I used to get bit every time I cleaned. I fed off all of my old breeders and don't get bit anymore.:)

I haven't been breeding them for long (just got my starter colony from another member here about a month ago) but I have yet to get bit. When I check food and water each night, I reach my hand in the tub and rub the backs of each of the breeders and they seem to like it. I also try to touch the babies as much as I can so they get used to the idea...