Is it possible to introduce a new ASF female?

[Shanna]

I ordered a 1.2 ASF breeding trio from my pet store, however my order came in as 2.1. I refused the smaller male and I have a 1.1 breeding pair. The pet store is suppose to order me a 2nd female, however it's now been 3 weeks. I've read that there can be fighting and possible death if a new doe is introduced to an existing colony. I've also read that if I clean the tank and dab vanilla extract on their noses and/or bottoms that they should accept the new addition.

Also, housing wise, they are in a 10 gallon tank with metal screen topper. They have a wooden house, water, aspen bedding, 2 toilet paper rolls, food dish with mazuri rodent feed, and once a week I toss a carrot in there. I keep the front of their tank covered (mostly because I have a too curious cat).

I plan to feed offspring to my BPs. I have two 2012 females, an adult male, & plan to add 1-2 more BPs before the year is up. The plan is to euthanize then freeze extra weanlings for later consumption or trade them to my petstore for crickets for my beardie (the pet store has agreed to do this).

What are your thoughts on this? Should I leave my pair as is? Or wait for them to have their first litter and hold back one of the females to complete my breeding trio? Or should my pair be able to supply enough for the amount of snakes I have. I am new to this and would appreciate the expertise of the experienced members.

thanks,

[4Ballz]

it's always easier to introduce a female rather than a male. if they do fight, it is very brief. at least for me, I have been lucky enough for no females fighting, even with males.

males with other males....yeah....now that's a problem.

[MikeM75]

Easiest way after a colony is set for me is to just let a daughter stay in the tub and not ever take her out she will just become a mom.

I never introduce new animals to an existing colony, not saying you can't but I don't.

I have had 2 moms die out of the blue and I just let one of the babies stay in the tub to take over the role.

[spitzu]

I introduce new males/females all the time. It works best if the newbie is not quite old enough to breed yet.

[4Ballz]

Easiest way after a colony is set for me is to just let a daughter stay in the tub and not ever take her out she will just become a mom.

I never introduce new animals to an existing colony, not saying you can't but I don't.

I have had 2 moms die out of the blue and I just let one of the babies stay in the tub to take over the role.

if you find a recent dead rat, male or female, do you throw in the freezer or in the garbage?

[Shanna]

I went by the pet store last night and picked up a female from one of their recent litters (the female I had ordered still had not come in and the pet store has an ASF breeding trio on site). She's young, maybe 5~ish weeks old and a little smaller than my current female. I replaced the bedding, cleaned the tank, and dabbed some vanilla on their noses with a Q-Tip. The new female is very shy, but was readily accepted by the the current pair. I'm a happy camper! Thanks everyone!

When I cleaned their 3 week old bedding, I was amazed by how much it didn't stink! They've been using the restroom on top of their house & I dump their mess and clean the house with a little bit of Dawn dish soap water and a couple spritzes of vinegar/water spray whenever I refill their food & water. I can barely smell these guys! I've kept a a couple of feeder mice that my BP refused to eat until I could return them to the pet store & those guys smelled horrible after 2 days.

[Don]

I've read the best way to introduce a new female is to completely clean the bin. Then put the new female in the clean bin with clean bedding first for an hour or two. Then introduce the rest of the treo one at a time with a small wait between each introduction. I don't know if this works, but it is worth a try.

[luvmyballs]

I went by the pet store last night and picked up a female from one of their recent litters (the female I had ordered still had not come in and the pet store has an ASF breeding trio on site). She's young, maybe 5~ish weeks old and a little smaller than my current female. I replaced the bedding, cleaned the tank, and dabbed some vanilla on their noses with a Q-Tip. The new female is very shy, but was readily accepted by the the current pair. I'm a happy camper! Thanks everyone!

When I cleaned their 3 week old bedding, I was amazed by how much it didn't stink! They've been using the restroom on top of their house & I dump their mess and clean the house with a little bit of Dawn dish soap water and a couple spritzes of vinegar/water spray whenever I refill their food & water. I can barely smell these guys! I've kept a a couple of feeder mice that my BP refused to eat until I could return them to the pet store & those guys smelled horrible after 2 days.

I keep a small empty bowl with a little bit of shavings in it. They use it for a toilet. Much easier for spot cleaning.

[bivman]

Introduce them in a freshly clean enviornment, and put dot of vanilla extract on their noses. Even doing that there is no guarantee they won't fight. Sometimes they get over it quick and other times someone winds up bitten to death.

[Duffster]

The Vanilla is a great trick!