Got my first colony of ASF's today

[Ronin]

Like the title says, I am totally stoked to finally get a colony to help feed my ever growing ball python population lol. The guy I was able to finally find them even threw in an extra male so I have a 2:4 colony that should be producing in the next few weeks or so. And to top it off the pet store I go to likes to sell small rats at medium prices and so forth.

I'M THRILLED!!!

[DavidMundy]

Congrats, African Soft Furrs are neat to own. They breed pretty quickly as well, I started out with a 1.3 colony and now have over 30 of them (after feeding some off). Just watch out they can pack a mean bite. One of the moms got me a few weeks back and it wouldn't stop bleeding for about 30 minutes.

[dillan2020]

Another thing is be careful with the hoppers those suckers are spring loaded and super fast. Them little buggers will hop up and bam they are gone running around the room like a lightning bolt.

[Shadera]

Good deal. I've got some of his rats, too, and they're the sweetest I've ever worked with. Very docile as far as asf go.

Hope you get lots of babies.

[Ronin]

Good deal. I've got some of his rats, too, and they're the sweetest I've ever worked with. Very docile as far as asf go.

Hope you get lots of babies.

Yes these little guys and girls are pretty tame. I've reached in there several times to pet them and they just stare up at me.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Another thing is be careful with the hoppers those suckers are spring loaded and super fast. Them little buggers will hop up and bam they are gone running around the room like a lightning bolt.

Thissssss!

I call them popcorn.

[Ronin]

So it looks at though the bigger male has gotten the end of his tail chewed a bit. I came home to find some blood flung on the side of the tank and then found one of the males tail has been bitten or chewed down a bit. Is this normal pecking order among them? Or is this something to be of great concern about? I do have a 2:4 colony, should I perhaps make that two 1:2 colony and break them up?? The other male is still very small and might be another month before he is mature enough to breed.

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

[Emilio]

So it looks at though the bigger male has gotten the end of his tail chewed a bit. I came home to find some blood flung on the side of the tank and then found one of the males tail has been bitten or chewed down a bit. Is this normal pecking order among them? Or is this something to be of great concern about? I do have a 2:4 colony, should I perhaps make that two 1:2 colony and break them up?? The other male is still very small and might be another month before he is mature enough to breed.

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

Do 1.2 they'll breed better.

[Ronin]

Do 1.2 they'll breed better.

Ok maybe I'll give that a shot! Thank you!

[Wapadi]

I personally have never been able to keep two males together. They have always fought till the death, regardless if they grew up together or not. I would feed off a male and go with one colony. They seem to work better with bigger groups of females in my experience.