How many ASF's....

Hmmmm, I just got mine from Ed last weekend. I think you want to look for them to be alert, clean eyes, nice coat, etc. Probably want to start with the youngest looking ones. I'm starting with 1.2, but many do 1.3. Actually, I lied - I'm starting with 2.2. Ed suggested having a back-up male. Right now they all get along just fine. If one keeps getting kicked out and beat up - he'll likely be fed off. If they get along fine, I'll let him stay. They are just too darned cute - and SOOOO much better than mice (to me).

Ed's line (which came from Tim Bailey's line) are pretty docile for the most part.

I thought I'd start with 1.2 or 2.2 or something like that. Would a 10 gallon aquarium be good to start with or would a 20 be better? All the ones at the pet store have those white head markings that make it look like they're wearing masks. Is that the normal wild coloring?

I guess I've got some research to do and some going over of old posts. Is there a convenient FAQ anywhere on starting out new with ASF's???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

for the most part.

---

Keyword there is "most", haha, sorry Ed. I hope those little wheels are less than 7" tall because I built a rack for them and the Van Ness litter tubs are 7" Tall, hmmm. I will see about them though, happy rats are happy breeders. Woohoo

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarkS

I thought I'd start with 1.2 or 2.2 or something like that. Would a 10 gallon aquarium be good to start with or would a 20 be better? All the ones at the pet store have those white head markings that make it look like they're wearing masks. Is that the normal wild coloring?

I guess I've got some research to do and some going over of old posts. Is there a convenient FAQ anywhere on starting out new with ASF's???

---

I've got 8 in a 10 gallon right now - but 4 are Deborah's that I'll take to her tomorrow. Even with 8 - it seems plenty roomy for them.

Here's a good website on ASF's http://asfrats.info/

And here are some pictures of Deb's and mine:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...8/IMG_3186.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...8/IMG_3171.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...8/IMG_3159.jpg

I've also seen some nice lighter colored ones - I'd like to find some of the other colors as well.

They really don't need a lot - fresh water (get that metal cover for the bottle though so they don't chew it) a small hide like in the picture, a small exercise wheel, Mazuri lab block. I just picked up some millett and timothy hay - they went Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs over the millett!

Thanks Robin, thats should get me started.

In a 10 gallon tank you should set up 1.2 or 1.3 . So far, I have had the best production out of my 1.3 tanks. For whatever reason, I have found that this ratio keeps all of them very involved in the task at hand. I have also found that my females seem to get pregnant faster in a 1.3 setup compared to a 1.2... don't know why, that is just my experience so far.

Mike

Well the answer to how many, Robin, is one...IF you are the big Daddy rat and IF the females have the babies all busy elsewhere LOL.

Big Daddy finally gets a solo ride on the wheel...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...dadonwheel.jpg

His two females with some of their young (there's a bunch of just born pinks under the one female, the bigger babies belong to the other one).....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...momsbabies.jpg

Another litter - aren't they just so ugly they're cute! LOL....

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...withyoung2.jpg

LOL - yeah, they are ugly babies! LOL

But they're awfully cute as young adults! I really would love to get some other colors as well - but the pickings are slim around here.

They are OBSESSED with the wheel - best thing I could have gotten them!

I got to say those are some of the ugliest babies I have seen, kind of looking forward to have some :rolleye2:

Quote:

---

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...withyoung2.jpg

---

I love these rats so far, no smell and already prego.