ASFR Litter

So yesterday my one female ASFR popped.She had 14 but 1 was a still born and 1 that was only half developed. So she had 12 live ones. They are little! Look like little pink jelly beans.


Today I get home to see 1 still aliveand the rest are dead and half eaten. What the h-e-double hockey sticks?


I guess because it was her first litter? Maybe the other female killed them I don't know but I know when the second female gets ready to pop, she's getting stuck by herself.

Do they have a nest box? A good plentiful lab block diet?

Wow Allison that is horrible. I am really sorry. Remind us again what your setup is like.


Here is my setup just for comparison...my trio had their first litter about 2 months ago (12 from 1 mom) the second mom went this past weekend (6 only). I think she only had six because she and the first mom have been trading off "watching the kids" from the first litter. Even dad helps out when they need a break. Mine are in a normal rat rack (except for 1/4 mesh instead of 1/2), with an auto watering system. They are on aspen bedding.

I also pet the moms everyday (both are hand tame) and come over too me when I open their tub, I hand feed them snacks so they know my hand means good stuff. They have since stopped biting, down leave their litters when I open the tank, I can pet them while they are nursing or eating...just like my good rat mommies.

I am having much better success in smaller groups, 1.3 is working good. :)

Had 5 litters in the past week and very few deaths, 2 cages had 2 litters each and it seems like a group effort with both mothers tending the babies.

These rats are the right size for getting small(50 gram) hatchlings going. went 12 for 12 feeding tiny hatchlings this morning! :w00t:

Yeah, I keep mine is a 1.2 trio in a 10 gallon tank. They eat a 22% protein lab block and have water. No nest box. I'm lost as to why they killed all of the babies. Guess it's a first time mother kin of thing. Guess I'll find out if that is true or not when she has some more in another few weeks.

We still had 2 babies left from the 2 rats litters...I had lost track of time and didnt notice the one baby was a male...and uh did the deed with the 3 females :cool:. Sadly I didnt see all the signs...they had piled the bedding and made nests...I was just spacing I guess and got in there and cleaned it out...that night she gave birth to 2 lil babies...so he was removed an I now I have one ready to pop...I am still unsure if the other mama is pregnant again or not...I dont know how I lost track of time sheesh. this time around the one mom only had 2..atleast I only got to see 2 of them...we will see how many her daughter births...she is ready to go..poor thing is laying on her back most of the day.

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

Yeah, I keep mine is a 1.2 trio in a 10 gallon tank. They eat a 22% protein lab block and have water. No nest box. I'm lost as to why they killed all of the babies. Guess it's a first time mother kin of thing. Guess I'll find out if that is true or not when she has some more in another few weeks.

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You might want to try a bigger enclosure for them. The ASF rats really do well with alot of space. I run 1.3 in the concrete mixing tubs (approx. 18" x 28") and have been having great litters.

I've got a 10 gal with 1.3, and a lab tub thats a little smaller than 10 gal with 1.3 as well and they seem to breed and raise them ok.

Others have had litters eaten when no hide box was available, you might want to try giving them a cardboard box or a plastic bowl upside down with a door cut in it. I think they don't feel secure without a hide of some kind to birth and raise the pups.

Most of mine move the litter out of the hide after they are a week or so old.

I've never offered a nesting box, I have never had a problem with them eating the babies. :confused: I guess there is no right or wrong way.

I'll give my second female who is going to pop in the next week or sooner a hide and see if she kills off her babies.

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I've never offered a nesting box, I have never had a problem with them eating the babies. :confused: I guess there is no right or wrong way.

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I will second this...mine are in concrete mixing tubs with no hides (no issues todate)

Are they in clear tanks or tubs or are they opaque?

How about yours Bill? are you using the mortar tubs? I imagine those solid black walls might help.

I don't know, I don't have any first hand experience with them eating a whole litter, I was just offering suggestions from what I have read elsewhere.

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

I will second this...mine are in concrete mixing tubs with no hides (no issues todate)

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right, solid black plastic mixing tubs. The whole tub is a hide, like living in a burrow.

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Originally Posted by Flagg

right, solid black plastic mixing tubs. The whole tub is a hide, like living in a burrow.

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Well, yes and no. The top of each tub is just covered with wire and completely open. Do I think the dark tubs make them feel more secure than clear tubs? Of course, but it is'nt anything like a burrow. I think the key with breeding ASF rats and mice is to leave them alone as much as possible. The more you're in their tubs the more you increase your chances of losing babies. :2cent: