How many ASF's....

Can run on a small metal wheel at one time? FIVE of them! I bought a metal wheel yesterday for the ASF's and they are completely obsessed with it! They didn't even dart for their hide when I got up this morning, just all five continued to run together (albeit one was running on top of four others).

No pictures, as I was running late - but I am really enjoying these little buggers!

Also picked up some millet and timothy hay for them - they went NUTS over the millet! :D

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Can run on a small metal wheel at one time? FIVE of them! I bought a metal wheel yesterday for the ASF's and they are completely obsessed with it! They didn't even dart for their hide when I got up this morning, just all five continued to run together (albeit one was running on top of four others).

No pictures, as I was running late - but I am really enjoying these little buggers!

Also picked up some millet and timothy hay for them - they went NUTS over the millet! :D

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lol so do hamster my sisters hamster wore out the wheel we got for it:rofl:

See Im not a good ASF daddy, I don't have my group a wheel!!

We always crack up laughing when a couple of the big adults will run the wheel and their crazed offspring will ride the outside like it's some sort of ASF thrill ride. Eventually the adults get it going so fast the smaller ASF's get flung off, at which point they race back to the wheel to go another round LOL.

LOL, same thing over here. They havent even touched the wood blocks or their tube or hides. They don't chew anything, just run run run.

Chris told me he was home for lunch and the two girls were running on the wheel, and the boy was just hanging on going for a ride around and around and around ... ROFL :rofl:

I don't think there is anything in this world an ASF loves more than their wheels! If they aren't sleeping or eating, they are on their wheels. :)

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Originally Posted by PrototypePythons

See Im not a good ASF daddy, I don't have my group a wheel!!

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Well get to gettin! It was under $5.00 at PetSmart. I got the smallest wire one (purple, since that's my favorite color).

They think it's the best thing since bagged millett! LOL

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Well get to gettin! It was under $5.00 at PetSmart. I got the smallest wire one (purple, since that's my favorite color).

They think it's the best thing since bagged millett! LOL

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Good to know I bought one as well (same color) ;) and it will fit in the new rack I plan on building so that is good!

Just found a local pet store that is selling ASF's for 10 bucks each. I'm seriously thinking about it just to see what they'd be like. Whats a good starting number and what should I look for in one?

Mark

Maybe you could have them power an emergency generator.

Hmmmm, I just got mine from Ed last weekend. I think you want to look for them to be alert, clean eyes, nice coat, etc. Probably want to start with the youngest looking ones. I'm starting with 1.2, but many do 1.3. Actually, I lied - I'm starting with 2.2. Ed suggested having a back-up male. Right now they all get along just fine. If one keeps getting kicked out and beat up - he'll likely be fed off. If they get along fine, I'll let him stay. They are just too darned cute - and SOOOO much better than mice (to me).

Ed's line (which came from Tim Bailey's line) are pretty docile for the most part.

I thought I'd start with 1.2 or 2.2 or something like that. Would a 10 gallon aquarium be good to start with or would a 20 be better? All the ones at the pet store have those white head markings that make it look like they're wearing masks. Is that the normal wild coloring?

I guess I've got some research to do and some going over of old posts. Is there a convenient FAQ anywhere on starting out new with ASF's???

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Originally Posted by rabernet

for the most part.

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Keyword there is "most", haha, sorry Ed. I hope those little wheels are less than 7" tall because I built a rack for them and the Van Ness litter tubs are 7" Tall, hmmm. I will see about them though, happy rats are happy breeders. Woohoo

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Originally Posted by MarkS

I thought I'd start with 1.2 or 2.2 or something like that. Would a 10 gallon aquarium be good to start with or would a 20 be better? All the ones at the pet store have those white head markings that make it look like they're wearing masks. Is that the normal wild coloring?

I guess I've got some research to do and some going over of old posts. Is there a convenient FAQ anywhere on starting out new with ASF's???

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I've got 8 in a 10 gallon right now - but 4 are Deborah's that I'll take to her tomorrow. Even with 8 - it seems plenty roomy for them.

Here's a good website on ASF's http://asfrats.info/

And here are some pictures of Deb's and mine:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...8/IMG_3186.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...8/IMG_3171.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...8/IMG_3159.jpg

I've also seen some nice lighter colored ones - I'd like to find some of the other colors as well.

They really don't need a lot - fresh water (get that metal cover for the bottle though so they don't chew it) a small hide like in the picture, a small exercise wheel, Mazuri lab block. I just picked up some millett and timothy hay - they went Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs over the millett!

Thanks Robin, thats should get me started.

In a 10 gallon tank you should set up 1.2 or 1.3 . So far, I have had the best production out of my 1.3 tanks. For whatever reason, I have found that this ratio keeps all of them very involved in the task at hand. I have also found that my females seem to get pregnant faster in a 1.3 setup compared to a 1.2... don't know why, that is just my experience so far.

Mike

Well the answer to how many, Robin, is one...IF you are the big Daddy rat and IF the females have the babies all busy elsewhere LOL.

Big Daddy finally gets a solo ride on the wheel...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...dadonwheel.jpg

His two females with some of their young (there's a bunch of just born pinks under the one female, the bigger babies belong to the other one).....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...momsbabies.jpg

Another litter - aren't they just so ugly they're cute! LOL....

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...withyoung2.jpg

LOL - yeah, they are ugly babies! LOL

But they're awfully cute as young adults! I really would love to get some other colors as well - but the pickings are slim around here.

They are OBSESSED with the wheel - best thing I could have gotten them!

I got to say those are some of the ugliest babies I have seen, kind of looking forward to have some :rolleye2:

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http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...withyoung2.jpg

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I love these rats so far, no smell and already prego.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

But they're awfully cute as young adults! I really would love to get some other colors as well - but the pickings are slim around here!

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I wish you were closer Robin, I have fawn, fawn/white, agouti/white, grey/white... and albinos...( I actually don't have any solid ones!)

Very true, Emilio. Very little smell and most of my groups (I have three tanks at this point) seem to designate a potty corner where they all urinate so you can just scoop that corner out more often between full tub changes.

The females seem to not suffer a bit of condition loss due to birthing so much. Those two pictured have been delivering litters since we got them last summer (well early fall was their first births technically) and they are big, healthy females. They do seem to control their population somewhat. If I don't pull the litters at about 4 weeks of age and there is a lot of various aged litters in the breeding group, they seem to have smaller litters. I know they aren't eating any as I check them a lot, they just seem to birth smaller litters when their tank is fuller, bigger litters when their home is not overrun with half grown ASF's.

I do like how the male and the bigger babies (even the unweaned ones) will automatically care for the smallest babies. Often when the adults are off using the wheel or having a drink or some food, the bigger babies are left to sit on their younger siblings. They rarely are left unattended unless they are tucked away into a hide somewhere. A very strong family unit and one that seems to work very well without much interference from me.

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Originally Posted by monk90222

I wish you were closer Robin, I have fawn, fawn/white, agouti/white, grey/white... and albinos...( I actually don't have any solid ones!)

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Wish I was closer too Charlie! I'd love to have some albino ASF's but everyone I know that lives close to me doesn't have any. :(

I've never seen those solid ones either. All of mine are agouti, possum faced, striped face, etc. but they all have some markings or other on body or face.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Wish I was closer too Charlie! I'd love to have some albino ASF's but everyone I know that lives close to me doesn't have any. :(

I've never seen those solid ones either. All of mine are agouti, possum faced, striped face, etc. but they all have some markings or other on body or face.

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I wish you were too! I've been weaning about 50 a week....I'm overrun...lol

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Originally Posted by monk90222

I wish you were too! I've been weaning about 50 a week....I'm overrun...lol

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Time for more snakes!

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Originally Posted by monk90222

I wish you were closer Robin, I have fawn, fawn/white, agouti/white, grey/white... and albinos...( I actually don't have any solid ones!)

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You driving to Daytona this year? hint, hint, hint....nudge, nudge, nudge......wink, wink, wink!!!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

You driving to Daytona this year? hint, hint, hint....nudge, nudge, nudge......wink, wink, wink!!!

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SORRY! I'm takin the plane!
But your more than welcome to drive up here and take as many as you like! :D

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Originally Posted by monk90222

SORRY! I'm takin the plane!
But your more than welcome to drive up here and take as many as you like! :D

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Drat! Hmmmm, don't you know ANYONE driving to Daytona? :P

Um, Robin?

I will be at daytona this year....

I will be driving...

I have 7 different kinds....

And I am feeling a little GENEROUS...

:8:

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Originally Posted by mcavana

Um, Robin?

I will be at daytona this year....

I will be driving...

I have 7 different kinds....

And I am feeling a little GENEROUS...

:8:

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Well then...post up some pictures of the 7 different kinds so I can put in my order! :P

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Just found a local pet store that is selling ASF's for 10 bucks each. I'm seriously thinking about it just to see what they'd be like. Whats a good starting number and what should I look for in one?

Mark

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Where was the store Mark?

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Well then...post up some pictures of the 7 different kinds so I can put in my order! :P

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No order nesasarry! You of couse will get the pick of the litterS!

figure I owe you that much by now at least!