I have 10 Ball pythons..how many breeder ASF's do I need?

[MeinDraco]

I have one colony now (1:3) and 10 snakes, soon to be 16 with new clutch coming in a few months. I know I will need more colonies, but how many to feed 10-16 snakes. Plus I just started breeding ASF's and my snakes range from 135 grams to 2000 grams. I will have to hold back enough ASF's to get them to size before I feed to the larger snakes. if anyone has figured out this ratio of ASF rats/snake let me know

Thanks

[RichsBallPythons]

for 10 snakes i would want at least 5 1.3 groups. Since they take a while to grow out, I would offer them as frozen meals if possible.


with 15 females dropping litters of 10-18 every 3 weeks will get you over ran quick, but if your feeding them off consistently you should be able to keep them in check. Just be sure every 6-8 months you raise up new groups as females end up not producing as wel

[MeinDraco]

That's close to what I was thinking. I thought about 3 or 4 1:4 and that raises another question. what is the best breeding group ratio to have? I have seen as high as 1:7. that seams like too many. 1:4 seams like enough to manage without getting over whelmed. I can always sell any excess. Also, what do you feed your ASF's? I just ordered Mazuri 11F breeder feed from my local feed store. it will not be in until next week so I am supplementing with cat food for the higher fat content for the nursing females along with store bought feed. and do you know of anything that will grow up the feeders faster?

Thanks for the reply

Tom

[RichsBallPythons]

Dont be surprised if females lack nutrition or dont breed well on cat food.

Too much protein and fat will cause liver problems and or death. Best get something esle asap as its cat and dog food not good for rodents

1.3 is plenty with a group. Be sureto have enough space for them

[spitzu]

Depends on tub size and litter size. I have a few 1:3 groups where the females are all in sync, so the tubs can get pretty crowded with 30-50 babies hopping around.

[MeinDraco]

ok thanks. I will pull the cat food. I have them in a 20 gallon long aquarium now but am making a rat rack and using large black concrete tubs

[MeinDraco]

Depends on tub size and litter size. I have a few 1:3 groups where the females are all in sync, so the tubs can get pretty crowded with 30-50 babies hopping around.

yeah, I am on my second litter and the 2nd ASF of the 3 has delivered 2 weeks after the first. the 3rd is pregnant now and about a week away from giving birth. so hopefully they keep that nice assembly line going. the first litter was cannibalized. only one survived. so far all 9 are alive in the new litter.