Racks and Bins

Who uses racks for their ASFs? What sort of tubs do you use?

I'd also like to hear from Mike Cavanaugh, because I know he's got some kind of interesting set-up going on.

I'd really like to make a rack, but I need it to be really, really chew proof. So I'd like to hear what you guys have going on. :)


Thanks.

We only got started with ASF's alittle more than 2 months ago. So it hasn't been along tested process for us yet. But, we have just been using a "standard" rat rack with the Home Depot mortar mixing tubs and it has been working great. The guy we got our ASF's from had them setup the same way and didn't have much issue with chewing.
We plan to handle the chewing the same as with our rats "chewers instantly become feeders!"
Luckily we haven't had any issue with the ASF's and only had a couple rats that tried to start chewing but once they were fed off it has gone great.
We also put alot of random stuff(pieces of wood, cardboard boxes, tp and papertowel rolls) in all the tubs for them to chew on if they want so this could be helping us.

I am offering mine small raw bones, chicken, beef and pork, all organic raised by me or neighbors :) plus wood and mesquite beans in the shell for chewing/boredom. Mine all have wheels, too. I have mine in racks made from lowes concrete tubs, but they have some there that are much more sturdy and we are contemplating making a rack for those. Those tougher tubs are also taller and might be better since these guys do jump when scared or mad :) I have had mine for about 2 months now. All 3 of my older girls are FAT FAT :)
*Fila*

I only have a couple ASF eaters, so I breed/raise mine in tanks with no worry of over producing, but I have had rats chew through the cheap mortar tubs, so I am looking around to build new racks. I may go with the normal home made design, and just customize the measurements to hold Lexan containers. I use them all the time in my line of work, and that stuff is as near indestructible as anything I've seen.

Lexan? Is that like plexiglass?
Is it pricey?

Lexan is super hard plastic, here's a page with some products...a bit expensive, not too bad though. You'd probably want to search around for them...I'll end up just ordering them out of my work catalog.

http://www.shopatdean.com/store/pc/s...&keyword=lexan

Both of my racks are working out okay. This one with the clear 26qt tubs from Lowes has lasted a year now. The only thing I've had to do to it was cut the top level off.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...6/IMG_1627.jpg



This one is doing well also. The only problem with these tubs is that I have to cover up those stupid holes in the front with more mesh. They chew through that thing like it's butter. Besides that I haven't really had any chewing on either of these tubs.


http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...k/IMG_2272.jpg

I use the classic old school cat litter pans made by petmate or docosil (sp?). The rack is pretty much just a miniature of the morter tub racks used for rats. Only things different are the 1/4 in hardware cloth instead of 1/2 in and like no gap between the top of the bin and wire frame. I havent had any issues with chewing and even no teeth marks. Been in this system for about 6 months now running 1.2 and 1.3 per tub. Average litters are 10-16 pinks.

I found some bins at walmart that work. I tested them out with some ASFs, they'll work great. No ridges on the inside, and the lips aren't rounded off, they're squared, so there's no room at all for them to chew on them. :)

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

I found some bins at walmart that work. I tested them out with some ASFs, they'll work great. No ridges on the inside, and the lips aren't rounded off, they're squared, so there's no room at all for them to chew on them. :)

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Found these awesome bins but not sharing with the rest of us what they look like or sizes? :'(

Sorry sorry!

They are Sterelite Modular latch Boxes. I can't remember what sie I have though. But all the larger sizes would work great. The edges sit flush with the wire, so there's no way they could chew them. :gj:

I have had ASF's in Sterilite tubs, Lowes and Home Depot mixing tubs, small and jumbo litter boxes in racks and stand alone. I have never had an ASF chew on a tub.

They do chew the plastic water bottles I put in the stand alone tubs. I hate putting water bottles outside tubs because it takes up more room. I just use glass bottles in stand alone tubs now and the auto water system in the racks. I put a ramekin in the tubs so they can reach the water valves.

One thing that happens to me with tubs in racks, and I've not heard this from others, is that I have to remove babies as soon as they have their ears up or they die in the tubs. The moms do not provide enough milk for them and they can't get water out of the valves. They can use water bottles but not the brass valves. Once they get big enough they go back in the rack.

Are you using the large nipples? I haven't experienced this problem.

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Originally Posted by spitzu

Are you using the large nipples? I haven't experienced this problem.

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I use the Edstrom vari-flow valves.

I use the van ness or petmate small cat litter pans.

I do 1.2 in each tub no chewing. The key is to keep the screen tight to the lip of the tubs thus not allowing them to chew. Only thing have to worry about racks is they can be flighty and want to leap out at you. I want to build a new one using the medium sized tubs.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Only thing have to worry about racks is they can be flighty and want to leap out at you.

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Thanks, won't be a problem for me though, I specifically breed tame ASFs. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

Thanks, won't be a problem for me though, I specifically breed tame ASFs. :gj:

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All my ASF are Ruby Eyed all white and some are calm others are jumpers.

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

Thanks, won't be a problem for me though, I specifically breed tame ASFs. :gj:

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And Siegfried and Roy had tame tigers. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

And Siegfried and Roy had tame tigers. :rolleyes:

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:rofl:

ASFs are a little further removed from the wild than tigers, and don't have man-eating tendencies. . . Although I'm sure some people will argue that last part. LOL

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

All my ASF are Ruby Eyed all white and some are calm others are jumpers.

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Interesting. I've never had any that jump out of their cages, but I do have some that will jump off of your hand if you're not careful. It seems to have a lot to do with who is handling them. I have a few though, who I will let anyone hold. People are always trying to hold them, thinking they're like mice, so I'm glad that I've worked with my lines enough that I can say 'oh okay, here hold this one!' and satisfy their curiosity. :P

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

All my ASF are Ruby Eyed all white and some are calm others are jumpers.

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I'd love to see some REW soft furrs! Could you post a picture?

I have four small litter pan tubs of breeders, each has 1.2 or 1.3 but the only ones I find jumpy are the youngsters. They calm down with age though lol. I had one female who I held back because she grew nice and was pretty but boy through her teenage months she was jumpy, flighty, and tried to kill me just about every chance she got. Now, she's getting ready to drop her first litter and shes as "calm" as the rest of the adults.. though I don't trust any of them for a second. I like my fingers lol.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...09636330_n.jpg

I tried capturing the rubys on camera but it seemed impossible. I can only really see it with bright lighting and no glare.

Here's one of my ruby eyed whites
http://i40.tinypic.com/73hxdk.jpg


And here's a mi of REW, PEW, 'odd-ear', and platinum babies
http://i43.tinypic.com/6yekhs.jpg