Just got my first trio!!!

They are cute until they bite you to the bone, or until you see what they do to each other when they fight.

Based on what I've read about these guys, I'd be nervous about keeping them in a plastic tub that has so many angles and notches in it. You don't want them to have anywhere to get their teeth in. In the smooth cement tubs that a lot of people use, they have no corners where the rodent can get a solid grip on the plastic. This prevents them from chewing out.

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Based on what I've read about these guys, I'd be nervous about keeping them in a plastic tub that has so many angles and notches in it. You don't want them to have anywhere to get their teeth in. In the smooth cement tubs that a lot of people use, they have no corners where the rodent can get a solid grip on the plastic. This prevents them from chewing out.

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Yeah I was kind of worried about that, but I was hoping if I kept them occupied with toys they would be less inclined to destroy their tub. I've got a 10 gal with a screen top that's not being used. I just didn't know if that would be big enough. So do you think a 10 would be big enough for three of these guys? Or should I just get a smooth tub? I'd like to be as frugal as possible :)


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They will chew. Doesn't matter how many toys you give them, they will start to chew the tub eventually. I use clear rubbermaid tubs that don't have much of a groove. the only chewing they do is the hole around where the water bottle comes in and they bite the edges of the lid where the mesh is.

Oh and the babies can squeeze through 1/2" hardware clothe, so beware!

Overall, ASFs are a pleasure to keep, but don't expect them to sit in your hand like pets once they start having litters. They are quite protective. I just let my ASFs do their thing and only bother them to steal babies or clean.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

They will chew. Doesn't matter how many toys you give them, they will start to chew the tub eventually. I use clear rubbermaid tubs that don't have much of a groove. the only chewing they do is the hole around where the water bottle comes in and they bite the edges of the lid where the mesh is.

Oh and the babies can squeeze through 1/2" hardware clothe, so beware!

Overall, ASFs are a pleasure to keep, but don't expect them to sit in your hand like pets once they start having litters. They are quite protective. I just let my ASFs do their thing and only bother them to steal babies or clean.

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And yes, asf's will chew!!


Lol, glad I'm not the only one who "steals babies". I always tell my momma rats when I am there to " steal their babies" :p

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Awesome lol. Ok so I'll look for some smooth tubs this weekend. I have some aluminum screening, would that be ok? Or should I not risk it and go with the heavy duty stuff? Ive been playing with them everyday in hopes of keeping them as tame as possible when the first litters come around, but I've got some leather gloves on standby in case things go south :)

Hey all!
I think one of my girls is preggo!! She still seems small to me, but her belly is way bigger than the other girl and is firm and bulgy lol. Is there a way to know for sure? I tried to take some pics but she's such a wiggle worm!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/03/u2a2y9e7.jpg
In retrospect, I probably should have taken a pic of Bianca as well for comparison. Meh.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/03/junyjara.jpg

And here's my hopper that I made, just for kicks and giggles!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/03/pyqemu7u.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/03/9ety3e6a.jpg

I can usually tell by lifting them up by the tail. Usually they'll bulge out
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/03/mydymaba.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/03/ehu2u3ez.jpg

Good luck with them. On the topic of size, I've fed off retired breeders that were 120g + so they can get nice and big. Also, un-bred grow-up males get bigger than the un-bred grow up females. Just an fyi if you need bigger feeders.


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Thanks for the tips guys! I'll keep that in mind for the big breeders. When this group of breeders stops producing, I'll probably just grow them out and see how big they get :) They'll go to pet status then. I'm sentimental like that lol. As for now, I can definitely feel the bulge on her, whereas I can't with my white female. Hopefully I'll have babies within the next 2 weeks!!!