First ASF Litter: Excitement + Questions.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I just went to check on my ASF's and found my first litter!

There were 6 little babies, but unfortunately 3 of the 6 were DOA. They were about the same size as the live ones, but their faces didn't develop properly. (I can post some pictures if necessary)

What do you think the cause of this was? Bad genetics, first pregnancy issues, malnutrition, stress, something else?

Thanks for any input.

[Crazymonkee]

Awesome!! And sorry

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[MootWorm]

I'm leaning toward first litter issues. I've had this happen with my norways with first time moms. I haven't noticed it with ASF, although in all probability, I just haven't caught it before they've been... disposed of lol. What are you feeding and what's your setup like?

[The Serpent Merchant]

I'm leaning toward first litter issues. I've had this happen with my norways with first time moms. I haven't noticed it with ASF, although in all probability, I just haven't caught it before they've been... disposed of lol. What are you feeding and what's your setup like?

I'm feeding Mazuri 9F (so I doubt it's malnutrition unless one of the others was preventing her from eating)

I have a 110 qt tub with a ¼" hardware-cloth top, 1-2 inches of aspen, 2 plastic hides, and a flat style running wheel. This houses 1.3 ASF's

[The Serpent Merchant]

This is the tub I'm using: http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProdu...=252&section=1

They are being housed indoors.

I change out the substrate every 7 days, and do a quick F10 wipe down of the cage as well

[satomi325]

I don't think that is normal at all, even for first time moms.
I've never had those issues with first litters in my experience whether they were mice, asfs, or rats. Small litters are not uncommon for first mothers, but the deformities are abnormal.


Hmmm.... It might just be a fluke. Just see what her next litter looks like. If it's a repeat, I'd cull and replace her

[MootWorm]

Ok that's the same tub I use. Except I have too many to count in there . So I would definitely say new mom issues. She should hopefully start producing bigger, healthy litters in the next few runs. I wouldn't be too concerned at this point.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I don't think that is normal at all, even for first time moms.
I've never had those issues with first litters in my experience whether they were mice, asfs, or rats. Small litters are not uncommon for first mothers, but the deformities are abnormal.


Hmmm.... It might just be a fluke. Just see what her next litter looks like. If it's a repeat, I'd cull and replace her

Yeah, I'm planning on giving her another chance, and if it happens again I'll just feed her off. 1 of the other 2 females is pregnant so if she does it too could that be a sign that the male is the issue?

[MootWorm]

Could you upload that pic? Here's one that came out of a first time mom


She also ended up eating about half the litter before I moved the babies to a foster mom. She just had her second litter a few days ago, no issues whatsoever. Same dad and everything. So I'm not exactly sure what went on.

[DooLittle]

I'm with Satomi. The small litter and doa's could be first time mom issuses, but not the deformities. Let us know how the next litter comes out. Maybe post up the pic anyhow?