Hairless ASF's?

I have some of those too!

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Originally Posted by mcavana

Judging by their low weight, lethargic behavior, and overall appearence, I would say you need to feed them off, and don't let them breed. It is not a good thing.

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I'll have to keep a closer eye ou on their behavior and try to see if they're unhealthy in any way. I understand not using them for breeding if something is wrong with them, but if you're telling me to feed them off anyway, then why would it matter if I chose to breed more like them, if they are all going to be used for food?

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Originally Posted by stangs13

ok I want normal asfs!

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Let me know whenever you're ready and I'll save some back for ya. ;)

I'm not sure if I think they are cute or not. It's always better to not have cute snake food. :)

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Originally Posted by Rapture

I understand not using them for breeding if something is wrong with them, but if you're telling me to feed them off anyway, then why would it matter if I chose to breed more like them, if they are all going to be used for food?

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That confused me a bit... by breed more of them, are you referring to using the same breeding pairs that produce them? Or grow them up to line breed?

Either way it seems a waste of resources to raise sickly and unhealthy animals, especailly as food. I would feed off the ones producing those offspring as well as the offspring.

ASFs take long enough to develop, why waste time and resources on unfit offspring?

bruce

I understand not feeding an unhealthy rodent to your snake, but my point to Mike was, if he recommended that I feed them off, then why recommend not to breed them, if I am breeding solely for feeding purposes anyway? If they are safe to feed, wouldn't their offspring be as well? If they are that bad I think it would make more sense not to breed or feed them off.

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Originally Posted by Rapture

I'll have to keep a closer eye ou on their behavior and try to see if they're unhealthy in any way. I understand not using them for breeding if something is wrong with them, but if you're telling me to feed them off anyway, then why would it matter if I chose to breed more like them, if they are all going to be used for food?

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Maybe it is just my way of thinking...

There are 3 reasons why I breed my own rodents.

1.) to save money
2.) because it is a lot of fun
3.) because I have complete control, and know that I am feeding off rats bred to the highest standards. My snakes eat like kings!

So I don't understand why you would want to continue to reproduce an unhealthy trait? Simple observation will show you that ASF's suffering from this condition are CONSTANTLY grooming / itching / scratching. (Even you said you first thought it was from "over grooming" ) there skin is clearly red, irritated, and even a little swolen looking. Please tell me why it would make sense to you to make future generations suffer through the same conditions?!

Why would I tell you to feed them off? why not? a skin disorder isn't going to hurt your snake. What does this have to do with breeding healthy lines going forward?

Guess I am just confused?

They look like they have a mite problem. Could be demodex or sarcoptic mange. Do they get scabs?

Frontline will treat sarcoptic mites(contagious) but demodex(not contagious) is hard to treat and requires either dipping with Paramite or treating with Interceptor(dog heartworm medication).

See if you can take one to the vet and have it skin scraped a few times. If they have weak immune systems from over-breeding, then they likely have demodex. It's not contagious but it's a PITA to get rid of and they sometimes have recurrences.

I agree with not breeding unhealthy animals, but at the same time, which is the point I was trying to make, if you're telling me to feed them off then it seems like they would make perfectly good feeders, which is all I am breeding for.

I'm not saying I'm going to breed them either... just making a point.

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Originally Posted by mcavana

Maybe it is just my way of thinking...

There are 3 reasons why I breed my own rodents.

1.) to save money
2.) because it is a lot of fun
3.) because I have complete control, and know that I am feeding off rats bred to the highest standards. My snakes eat like kings!

So I don't understand why you would want to continue to reproduce an unhealthy trait? Simple observation will show you that ASF's suffering from this condition are CONSTANTLY grooming / itching / scratching. (Even you said you first thought it was from "over grooming" ) there skin is clearly red, irritated, and even a little swolen looking. Please tell me why it would make sense to you to make future generations suffer through the same conditions?!

Why would I tell you to feed them off? why not? a skin disorder isn't going to hurt your snake. What does this have to do with breeding healthy lines going forward?

Guess I am just confused?

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Hey Becky, at my workplace we treat demodex with ivermectin.