ASF Breeding Questions

I'm exploring the idea of trying to breed some ASF's. I want to do a trial run with a single breeding colony of 1.2-1.4 depending partially on whats available, and what you all recommend. At this point I'm not looking to produce enough to feed my entire collection, but feed a few problem child BP's that like making my live more difficult.

So here is the setup I'm looking at running for the trial run:

RBI Rat Breeding Cage (18.25" x 12" x 6.5")

http://www.reptilebasics.com/R10

500 ml Water bottle:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/rodent-...-bottle-500ml/

5.5" Wheel:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...AvailInUS%2FNo

Plastic Hide:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...AvailInUS%2FNo

Bedding: probably aspen (open to suggestions)

Food: Harlan 2018 Lab Block

http://www.reptilebasics.com/harlan2018

Am I missing anything? Any suggestions?

My biggest question about ASF's is how they smell. As I said I'm not looking to have dozens ok them, at most 4 colonies of 1.4 (plus offspring) So how bad should it be?

Thanks in advance!

I think you got it, dude. Mine have almost no smell, much less than norways let alone mice. They're much cleaner. They breed very readily, but grow slowly. I would recommend a 1.3 or 1.4 group, they seem happier and breed faster in groups.

Oh and they love to chew, a cardboard box every so often or even a block of untreated wood would be probably be appreciated.

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I have 10 colonies of 1.3 in our basement and I only clean once a week. Very minimal smell, close to nothing. I use kiln dried pine bedding.

Looks like you're on the right track! I like to throw in the cardboard boxes from my Keurig coffee cups. Just save up any cardboard you have lying around. Free recycling!

Mine have no odor whatsoever, provided I clean 1x per week. And although you may not expect to have dozens, you might end up with them anyway :) I just had a litter of 21 from a single rat, plus I have 2 more in that colony ready to drop any moment. Happy breeding!!

I have a local reptile shop that will buy any surplus off me, hopefully I can at least break even or make some cash if I decide to do this.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I have a local reptile shop that will buy any surplus off me, hopefully I can at least break even or make some cash if I decide to do this.

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That's awesome. I wish I had something like that lined up. Make sure you keep an eye on how many you have. A few months ago I kind of gradually got used the the larger numbers in each tub, then it hit me that I was about to be overrun by rats lol. I froze most of them off, but I couldn't believe how many little guys I had running around.

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

That's awesome. I wish I had something like that lined up. Make sure you keep an eye on how many you have. A few months ago I kind of gradually got used the the larger numbers in each tub, then it hit me that I was about to be overrun by rats lol. I froze most of them off, but I couldn't believe how many little guys I had running around.

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How do you freeze them? Just put pre-killed into the freezer? or do you flash freeze with dry ice or something?

In an average month about how many babies should I produce with a 1.3 breeding group?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

How do you freeze them? Just put pre-killed into the freezer? or do you flash freeze with dry ice or something?

In an average month about how many babies should I produce with a 1.3 breeding group?

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I use a CO2 chamber. There's a DIY thread here on how to set one up. I think mine cost about $30, but I already had the canisters from my paintball days :) It's totally random on how many babies you'll get. I've had some drop litters of 3 or 4, others that have huge litters. If it's staggered, I'd hazard a guess at maybe 30 babies a month? I've never really kept records for my ASF. Maybe I should start lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

How do you freeze them? Just put pre-killed into the freezer? or do you flash freeze with dry ice or something?

In an average month about how many babies should I produce with a 1.3 breeding group?

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You COULD prekill and then freeze but I'd find that very time consuming. I'd suggest CO2 or dry ice.

It honestly depends on the colony. Some females may only have 3-4 babies in one litter while another will have 15. It seems to vary.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

You COULD prekill and then freeze but I'd find that very time consuming. I'd suggest CO2 or dry ice.

It honestly depends on the colony. Some females may only have 3-4 babies in one litter while another will have 15. It seems to vary.

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I pre-kill all of my rodents with CO2. What I meant was do you use dry ice to freeze the rodents faster than a freezer could.

Oh nah.

Once my ASFs have been gassed, I arrange them nicely in a bag, date it, and toss them in the freezer.

I use the same cages and water bottles you're looking at, have been for several years now, and they work great. I have two with 1.3 breeders in them and one for my growouts. I use a lot of paper towels around here, the growouts love running through and chewing up the empty tubes.

Mine have always had huge litters, in 1.3 it's not uncommon for me to have 30-40 pinkies at a time. It's pretty wild watching them nurse too, the females will take turns just laying sprawled out on top of the mountain of babies.


http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/DSC03215.jpg

Lol Same Setup here in nearest future...
I just Need second cage for Grownups...

John1982 ...So How crowded is in That Cage wit 1.3 and 2 litters ??

Are You Guys have Wheel Standing or Hanging ??

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Originally Posted by Aes_Sidhe

Lol Same Setup here in nearest future...
I just Need second cage for Grownups...

John1982 ...So How crowded is in That Cage wit 1.3 and 2 litters ??

Are You Guys have Wheel Standing or Hanging ??

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My wheels are now freestanding in all but one tub. I originally had it mounted to the side, but they managed to chew through the plastic stoppers that secured it. Needless to say, I now have a bunch of wheel-shaped hides lol.

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Originally Posted by Aes_Sidhe

John1982 ...So How crowded is in That Cage wit 1.3 and 2 litters ??

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Not crowded like you'd expect with so many babies. One corner typically contains the mountain of babies, leaving the rest of the cage free space for breeders. The only time it really seems crowded is right after females drop litters - I leave youngsters in with their folks until the next brood is on the ground.

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Originally Posted by John1982

Not crowded like you'd expect with so many babies. One corner typically contains the mountain of babies, leaving the rest of the cage free space for breeders. The only time it really seems crowded is right after females drop litters - I leave youngsters in with their folks until the next brood is on the ground.

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Well RBI cages Have Slight Smaller Dimension...... Yours is 18x14x8 RBI is 18x12x6.5... So I think i will go with 1.2 group for Starters...