ASF pinky survival tip

So...I read somewhere that pinkies get eaten sometimes due to a protein deficiency(sp?) that the mothers might have after giving birth or not having their needs met with their diet. So, my "solution" was...I had some left over Milk Bone Puppy Biscuits from when we had a dog...so as soon as I see a bunch of new pinks pop up, I give all the adults one biscuit as a treat to pump up their protein and prevent them developing a taste for babies.
Now, this isn't proven by any scientific evidence nor any specific data besides what I have observed personally. I have had 4 litters so far and I havent had any dead pinky issues yet. Im sure it's just because Im lucky and my first time moms decided that they didnt want to cull their young to live a life partying on the wheel hooked on hog feed, but Id like to think it was my idea to do the dog biscuit treat as a reward for birth idea.
Try it or dont, Ill post here if it ever fails me.

These are the treats btw:
http://www.milkbone.com/products/originalpuppy

Very interesting idea. I'll try it and see.

My original 1.2 ASFs that I bought have a wheel and I give them carrots and oatmeal as treats sometimes, and rarely I give them a milk bone that we have for our black lab. They have their first litters now and they havent killed any pinky's, they are about 2 weeks old now. I know of 1 pinky that died very young, but he wasnt killed by the parents, he just didnt make it.

Maybe I got lucky too, who knows. Just giving out my info :)

I do know if they feel that something is wrong with a picky they will eat it !

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Originally Posted by Haydenphoto

I do know if they feel that something is wrong with a picky they will eat it !

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Yeah, no Im talking about circumventing pinky massacres.

Overall, ASF births are held in high regard in my house. Seeing as I have 1.2, 0.0.11 and 2 weaner tanks comprising of 4.9, ASFs are the key to the handcuffs binding me to pet store dependency. Ive fed off 6 males so far, and even more fuzzies. Therefore my females get carrots, Milk Bone biscuits and some popcorn throughout the week that they give birth. It's a downright celebration everytime.

P.S.
ASFs LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE popcorn.

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Originally Posted by pavlovk1025

Overall, ASF births are held in high regard in my house. Seeing as I have 1.2, 0.0.11 and 2 weaner tanks comprising of 4.9, ASFs are the key to the handcuffs binding me to pet store dependency. Ive fed off 6 males so far, and even more fuzzies. Therefore my females get carrots, Milk Bone biscuits and some popcorn throughout the week that they give birth. It's a downright celebration everytime.

P.S.
ASFs LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE popcorn.

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Popcorn!? I'll have to steal some from my nephews and neece lol! I give them carrots and oatmeal that they love too.

Im trying to get free of buying feeders from pet stores too, They never have the right size I need and expensive also. When I had 1 snake, I didnt care much, But now i have 3 and soon 4, and I feel it's starting to add up...

I have the 1.2 parents and their 17 puppy first litter now. Im almost done getting the weaner tubs ready. Learning to build them as I go.

Wow 17? I have yet to see that size a litter. My litters so far have been 11,8,11,10. Ive got my fingers crossed for a big litter.

I think you are confused or I wasnt clear enough, sorry. 17 total from the 2 females. The first female had 9 so Im guessing the 2nd female had 9 too. And I know some days later 1 of the pinky's died. so 17 left now. :)

When we kept closer count, 17 was normal for fresh females.

The most i've seen is 42 babies btw 2 mothers. So i'm assuming 21 each, but could vary 1 or 2.

P.S. Great idea on the milk bones, I started giving em to the mothers that just had babies and they love it. Haven't had any pinkie masacres before though.

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Originally Posted by Kevin_Hornby

The most i've seen is 42 babies btw 2 mothers. So i'm assuming 21 each, but could vary 1 or 2.

P.S. Great idea on the milk bones, I started giving em to the mothers that just had babies and they love it. Haven't had any pinkie masacres before though.

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Yeah Im starting to think I was lied to about them being fresh females. I haven't had a litter over 11 yet, and my other one just dropped a litter today which looks lacking in size.

pav i know my females were virgins before they bred for me and not one had a litter over 12. after i fed them all off accept for a pair (because of my asf babbies being eaten) she has had another litter of 8. im going down to phoenix on wed to pick up quite a few more asfs and lab cages to try to start my colony over and i ordered a 50lb sack of masuri 6f.

Those that are having trouble producing these 20+ litters, shoot me a PM and I will tell you why. Tired of fighting the good fight in the public forums.

Good Day

*UPDATE*

So I had a litter born over the weekend 12 pinks. I didn't instantly give them a Milkbone as I usually do and came home to find the other female chowing down on one like it was a snack. Gave them the Milkbone treats and no more pinks are missing. Might be a fluke, might actually be something to my whole Milkbone idea. Another litter is due within the next 5 days, will let you guys know.

I get 15+ from most of my newer females now. So 17 isnt uncommon for me. I have 2 older ones that i get 10-12 now.

I fail to see the relevance.