My new asf colony

So I started my first attempt at a breeding colony. I have never bred anything before as far as feeders go so this should be interesting. I am starting with about 75 asf rats, maybe more. That are being delivered this week, I will post pics of them asap. And I am starting the build of two racks today. Will post pics asap. :gj:

Wow! You're starting with a lot of colonies!

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Originally Posted by Alice

Wow! You're starting with a lot of colonies!

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haha yes I am thinking about maybe doing 100 to start, I am going to have alot of asf rats I cant wait for all these babys. Never will have to buy feeders again woohoo:banana:

WOW thats alot of rats.. witha 3 to 1 ratio thats around 20 groups. On average lets say avg litter of 10 thats 600 babies every 3 weeks. 200 a week. unless you plan on selling them you will soon be overwhelmed...If none of the babies have babies you will have 10000 a year. might want to build more racks . I have 2 groups and I have more than enough for my group of snakes right around 10

wow thats alot to start,I have 6 trios & 1.5 & 1.4 colony.was just cleaning & have around 130 pups on the ground & just weaned 30.my snakes eat alot (14)because it takes so long to get the asf to size.In two months you will have lots of rats lol!

yeh Im going to have alot, I plan on selling them localy to hobbyist,breeders, and pet stores. I thought about selling some f/t in the mail also. Just built 1 of my 6 level racks tonite, cost me right under 100bucks. I will post pics of it soon. How many rats do you think I will produce a month?

Count on at least 10 pinks from every breeding female every 3 weeks. I dont know how many females you plan to have going at once, but that should get you an estimate, but you will most likely produce more than 10/litter.

If you haven't already, I highly suggest adding a gravity fed water system to each of your racks. Good luck with your breeding.

it will still take 3 or 4 months to get them to adult size they grow slow.

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Originally Posted by greghall

it will still take 3 or 4 months to get them to adult size they grow slow.

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I am very excited about this, buying feeders twice a week from local pet stores 2.69mouse 4.00plus a rat its getting expensive feeding 14 ball pythons. So I decided to give it a try breeding my own rodents. But I have been thinking about it alot lately, and I figured why not breed a alot and than some. So I am very excited to do this project, and already have a 6 slot rack built with the concrete mixing tubs. I used 2x2 and 2x3. I think it looks pretty good I will post pics asap, gotta get new batteries for my camera:gj:

Im getting tired of waiting for them to get here, impatient lol. I recently decided when me and my wife get our new house that I am going to breed rodents on a high level. 200-300asf rats, 300mice, 150 rats should be interesting:)

So your selling the snake collection and going into breeding feeders full time?

Seems odd to me too, patience is the name of the game with keeping reptiles....

Holy moly!!! That's a lot of work. I started out with ONE mouse that one of my BP's didn't eat. I got a male and threw them together and now I have nearly 100 mice at any given time, and three rat colonies. Like I said, it's a ton of work and it never ends.

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Originally Posted by juddb

Seems odd to me too, patience is the name of the game with keeping reptiles....

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what seems odd to you? I am selling some of my collection, and focusing mainly on breeding rodents. The money I make off of it will go into my own little personal savings for the balls that will benefit my breeding plans asap. How is that odd? :weirdface

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

So your selling the snake collection and going into breeding feeders full time?

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Yes I am selling some of my collection but not all of it. And I am going to breed rodents on a large scale. But not as my fulltime job:)

Seemed odd to me because your ad said you lost your fav snake, so you were selling your whole collection... Or did I read that entirely wrong?

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Seemed odd to me because your ad said you lost your fav snake, so you were selling your whole collection... Or did I read that entirely wrong?

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I said I was thinking about it, but I realized accidents do happen. I found my spider yesterday afternoon. If you seen my classified ad you would realize that my whole collection is not forsale, thanks Matt

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Originally Posted by MDB

Im getting tired of waiting for them to get here, impatient lol. I recently decided when me and my wife get our new house that I am going to breed rodents on a high level. 200-300asf rats, 300mice, 150 rats should be interesting:)

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That my friend IS a full time job!

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Originally Posted by FatBoy

That my friend IS a full time job!

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I am starting with 75-100 asf rats this week to see how it goes. And if it ends up being alot of work. I am going to just stick with them and not do mice/rats:)

Can I ask who sells asfs via mail? If you can't disclose that in the forum could you PM me? I'm looking for just a few colonies to support my 6 snakes.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Seemed odd to me because your ad said you lost your fav snake, so you were selling your whole collection... Or did I read that entirely wrong?

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Ditto! No hard feeling's or anything, i was just under the impression that you lost one snake and wanted to give up all together. Again no hard feelings. Good luck buddy:gj:.

Seems like you have good concrete plan :gj:

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Originally Posted by krup

Seems like you have good concrete plan :gj:

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thanks I hope so, I am trying to get everything in order. And a abundant supply of food, substrate, materials, and 1-2 more racks built though before they are delivered this week:gj:

I definitely want to see pictures. Keep us posted!

Also, who sells ASF via mail?
Let me know. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by truthsdeceit

I definitely want to see pictures. Keep us posted!

Also, who sells ASF via mail?
Let me know. Thanks.

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just got word tonite that 75 asf rats are coming sat
90 more through out the week
also got 25 mice coming:D
I will post pics as soon as they get here

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Originally Posted by Sebrina

Can I ask who sells asfs via mail? If you can't disclose that in the forum could you PM me? I'm looking for just a few colonies to support my 6 snakes.

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Originally Posted by truthsdeceit

I definitely want to see pictures. Keep us posted!

Also, who sells ASF via mail?
Let me know. Thanks.

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They are not available through the mail where I am aquiring them from.

Mice stink a lot :(

OP, I guess I have to be the one to say it. Dude, I honestly don't think you have any idea what you are doing. You are getting this HUGE amount of animals, when you don't have experience with them at all. I understand you have good intentions, but you are NOT going about this the right way at all.

You are like someone who doesn't even have a ball python yet... but after doing a couple days of reading you decide to buy 50 ball pythons for a breeding project, without even owning one or a few yourself first.

These are live animals we are talking about. Your recent posts show pretty clearly that you tend to act on impulses.

Ask anyone on here... I am always willing to help out a newbee... or anyone else for that matter. That is why I feel it necessary to tell you this. You need to chill out and slow down. These are living, breathing creatures... and you really seem to be making a lot of impulse decisions.s


Mike

I agree with MC. I guess someone didnt get the sarcasm.....

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Originally Posted by mcavana

OP, I guess I have to be the one to say it. Dude, I honestly don't think you have any idea what you are doing. You are getting this HUGE amount of animals, when you don't have experience with them at all. I understand you have good intentions, but you are NOT going about this the right way at all.

You are like someone who doesn't even have a ball python yet... but after doing a couple days of reading you decide to buy 50 ball pythons for a breeding project, without even owning one or a few yourself first.

These are live animals we are talking about. Your recent posts show pretty clearly that you tend to act on impulses.

Ask anyone on here... I am always willing to help out a newbee... or anyone else for that matter. That is why I feel it necessary to tell you this. You need to chill out and slow down. These are living, breathing creatures... and you really seem to be making a lot of impulse decisions.s


Mike

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Hey Mike...you said what most of us are thinking...thanks.

Be prepared to give up all your extra minutes and then some when getting started.Your set-up is way different from my small time set-up, but be prepared to walk in first thing in the morning, without coffee or much sleep and see a freshly cleaned tank covered in soaking wet bedding where they pulled the water down. Or whatever, something is going to happen and you will spend a LOT of time getting it down to a science. Especially with the numbers you are going for. Plan accordingly. And did you ask your family if they are prepared all of this?

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Originally Posted by mcavana

OP, I guess I have to be the one to say it. Dude, I honestly don't think you have any idea what you are doing. You are getting this HUGE amount of animals, when you don't have experience with them at all. I understand you have good intentions, but you are NOT going about this the right way at all.

You are like someone who doesn't even have a ball python yet... but after doing a couple days of reading you decide to buy 50 ball pythons for a breeding project, without even owning one or a few yourself first.

These are live animals we are talking about. Your recent posts show pretty clearly that you tend to act on impulses.

Ask anyone on here... I am always willing to help out a newbee... or anyone else for that matter. That is why I feel it necessary to tell you this. You need to chill out and slow down. These are living, breathing creatures... and you really seem to be making a lot of impulse decisions.s


Mike

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Well I thank you for your concern, but I feel that I have enough time and money, and know how to give them a descent life. You look as them as living breathing creatures, I look at them as food. And their days are numbered sorry you dont feel the same way. But this is not a debate, and I am starting my colonies. Because I want to and its something I will enjoy doing, thanks.:gj:

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Originally Posted by MDB

You look as them as living breathing creatures, I look at them as food. And their days are numbered sorry you dont feel the same way.

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I'm sorry for any animal you own that you won't even see them as the living creature they are that will depend wholly on your for their means to survive.

Some people just shouldn't own animals, more so when they don't care enough for the animal to recognize it for what it is. Who's to say it stops there?

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Originally Posted by MDB

Well I thank you for your concern, but I feel that I have enough time and money, and know how to give them a descent life. You look as them as living breathing creatures, I look at them as food. And their days are numbered sorry you dont feel the same way. But this is not a debate, and I am starting my colonies. Because I want to and its something I will enjoy doing, thanks.:gj:

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Until you feed off each one of them they are living creatures that need food, water, fresh bedding weekly at least... How do you know you are not allergic to the asfs? How do you know you can handle that many at once? You haven't even had a small colony yet.

You should really slow down and take it one step at a time. You have to walk before you leap.

Just trying to help....

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Originally Posted by MDB

Well I thank you for your concern, but I feel that I have enough time and money, and know how to give them a descent life. You look as them as living breathing creatures, I look at them as food. And their days are numbered sorry you dont feel the same way. But this is not a debate, and I am starting my colonies. Because I want to and its something I will enjoy doing, thanks.:gj:

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Ouch.:( I hope you sell your collection, to good people.

To give you an example... I had a nice rack setup of asfs... Ive had some trios producing etc etc etc....

I came across about 150+ asfs... Mix of weaners, babys, sub adults... It was mind boggling how many there were and it was hard work. They lasted me a good time and I still have breeding pairs going from them. I can honestly say I thought I could handle it and it wouldnt be too hard, but boy was I surprised how much work it truly was..

We got it done each week but it was a handful...

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Originally Posted by MDB

You look as them as living breathing creatures, I look at them as food. And their days are numbered sorry you dont feel the same way.

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We all look at our rodents as food. It's fact of life but if you're gonna breed your own you have to step up to the plate and realize that all food lives at some point and that until you're ready to stick it in the freezer it has needs. These are living creatures no matter how you look at them, and as food items you should want them as healthy and happy as possible to pass on the benefits to your bps. :P

We may be jumping the gun here, getting on your case. We don't know what your setup looks like yet or how well you treat them, but we care so sometimes we get overzealous. :oops:

There is a point to be made though, you only have what...14 bp's. And you've got hundreds of rodents comeing... it's overkill, especially since you don't know if you'll enjoy having them or if it will turn out to be too much work.

So keep us posted. I always love seeing how people deal with their animal collections. Good luck :D

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Originally Posted by MDB

You look as them as living breathing creatures, I look at them as food. And their days are numbered sorry you dont feel the same way. But this is not a debate, and I am starting my colonies.

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I know I contacted you in regard to your ad looking for ASF's, but I am sorry, in good concience, I will not sell you any ASF's, or anything else for that matter.

I would normaly wish you good luck at this point, but I'm just not feeling it.


Good Day.

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Originally Posted by mcavana

I know I contacted you in regard to your ad looking for ASF's, but I am sorry, in good concience, I will not sell you any ASF's, or anything else for that matter.

I would normaly wish you good luck at this point, but I'm just not feeling it.


Good Day.

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lol thanks but your opinion means nothing to me, I have many clients already lined up. I understand that they need fed,watered,cleaned, on a regular basis. I thank you for the offer in the past, but I also would not purchase anything off of you. If I recall correctly you contacted me about selling me asf rats, not the other way around. I love being the under dogg, proving you all wrong makes it so worth it.:gj:

JasonG I find it funny, that you are being hypocritical. When you also just yesterday talked to me about selling me asf rats. ??? lol thanks but I am good on that. I already have my connections, and enough to start with what I want. :D

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Originally Posted by MDB

I love being the under dogg, proving you all wrong makes it so worth it.:gj:

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Who have you proved wrong??? Under dogg:confused: when did this become a boxing match???

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Originally Posted by MDB

JasonG I find it funny, that you are being hypocritical. When you also just yesterday talked to me about selling me asf rats. ??? lol thanks but I am good on that. I already have my connections, and enough to start with what I want. :D

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I offered you a trio or two. Not 100 asfs. Had I known you were buying over a hundred of them I would of not sold them to you either.

Have a nice day.

Sorry man but I totally disagree with you on this. Animals should be considered more than food especially feeders, do you want your snake to eat quality food or just an expired happy meal?

I was going to buy some ASFs off you but your ethics make me want to hurl, not to mention your attitude is not very professional you won't get far. I'm sorry I'll find someone else for that ASF order we spoke about over PMs. Anyone else selling ASFs in the NY area or NE PA region (ill only be in PA from the 23rd to 25th of Dec).

no problem:)

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Originally Posted by Sebrina

Sorry man but I totally disagree with you on this. Animals should be considered more than food especially feeders, do you want your snake to eat quality food or just an expired happy meal?

I was going to buy some ASFs off you but your ethics make me want to hurl, not to mention your attitude is not very professional you won't get far. I'm sorry I'll find someone else for that ASF order we spoke about over PMs. Anyone else selling ASFs in the NY area or NE PA region (ill only be in PA from the 23rd to 25th of Dec).

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Nice!

sounds like you all like to jump the gun to conclusions. Not one of you know me or anything about me, all I did was start a thread about how excited I am to start my colony, it may be a very large colony to start with but who are you to decide. I am not going to let your comments hinder my project for I feel that I will be good at breeding the asf rats, and am not expecting to make a million off of it, nor do I even expect to make a living. Some of you say that I have jumped the gun, maybe a little but I think alot of us have been guilty of this before. I have done alot of research on them, and I know the kind of care they require. I already have the racks(housing), feed, and substrate that they require, to give them a good healthy life. I am sorry that we obviously have different opinions of feeders, some of you have rats/mice as your pets. Im sorry but I look at them as feeders, they are rodents and they are here to serve one purpose to feed reptiles. I will treat them accordingly feeding,watering, and making sure that they always have a clean healthy tub. Many of you obviously already have your mind made up about me, and what Im about, so the only thing left to do is prove you wrong. I understand that everybody has an opinion and a way of going about things, but just because I am not going about it your way does NOT mean that it is the wrong way. I wish you all a very merry xmas and happy holidays! -Matt

I said good day sir!!!!

I worry about the ratties when you suddenly lose interest like you did with your snakes.

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Originally Posted by grammie

I worry about the ratties when you suddenly lose interest like you did with your snakes.

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That’s kidda what I’m thinking.

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Originally Posted by grammie

I worry about the ratties when you suddenly lose interest like you did with your snakes.

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Im sorry but you are confused I did not suddenly loose interest. I was considering for sometime selling off some of my collection that does not fall into my breeding plans as of this season. It was not a sudden desicion. I am still keeping some of my ball pythons. And I will keep you all updated on the progress of my rat breeding.