African Soft Fur Rat Questions

[lord jackel]

Ok...I just saw how great Ed's babies looked and after showing my wife (who raises rats as pets..colors, dumbos, etc.) we are hooked but I have some questions.

From a feeder perspective do those of you that feed them see a stronger feeding response? Or is there a reason you feed ASF over normal rats?

They appear smaller (when full grown - seeing Ed's pictures) is this true?

Anyone know where I could get a starter colony in the Indianapolis area?

Finally are they a lot more expensive to get started with them normal rats?

Thanks so much.

[jbkd]

Ok...I just saw how great Ed's babies looked and after showing my wife (who raises rats as pets..colors, dumbos, etc.) we are hooked but I have some questions.

From a feeder perspective do those of you that feed them see a stronger feeding response? Or is there a reason you feed ASF over normal rats?

I have seen my BP's strike at them much quicker than rats or mice.

They appear smaller (when full grown - seeing Ed's pictures) is this true?

I would say they are a little larger than a preggo mouse.

Anyone know where I could get a starter colony in the Indianapolis area?

Check out: http://www.asfrats.info/index.php

Finally are they a lot more expensive to get started with them normal rats?

Thanks so much.

I got my first trios for about $10 a trio. I got mine in mid Dec. and all 4 of my females have had 2 large litters so far. I think 2 of them are pretty preggo again. I let them have a beather after the second round.

As you may have read, they tend to be a little more nippy than a mouse or rat. They are not much as far as a pet goes.

Just my

[lord jackel]

Check out: http://www.asfrats.info/index.php

Thanks Great Info and Great Site. I found a dealer in upper Indiana so I sent him and email...hopefully will hear back soon.

Thanks

[jglass38]

You couldn't pay me to switch my snakes from regular old rats to this ridiculous fad of ASFR. I wouldn't feel right trying to sell someone a snake that might be imprinted on them. They are not readily available at pet stores and most likely will never be.

[TekWarren]

You couldn't pay me to switch my snakes from regular old rats to this ridiculous fad of ASFR. I wouldn't feel right trying to sell someone a snake that might be imprinted on them. They are not readily available at pet stores and most likely will never be.

They ARE becoming more widely available than you think friend! I'm not picking on you but don't knock what you haven't tried...and if you have tried it and it wasn't successful for you please share your experience. I am very happy with the change. I wouldn't sell any reptiles feeding on asf rats without the buyer knowing the facts but then again any of my bp's on asf rats are not for sale anyway. It hits a sore spot with me when folks try and make something "new" sound like a bad thing.

The ONLY thing I have seen nay sayers rely on to make asf rats look like poor choice is availability. This very weak assumption is further from the truth every day. Obviously there is size difference also but with my adults I have had zero issues with steady growth when feeding on asf rats.

People interested in asf rats should not be turned away until they have consumed as much info as they can so they can make their OWN decision.

*Not trying to be a jerk just passionate about the animals I work with

[jglass38]

They ARE becoming more widely available than you think friend! I'm not picking on you but don't knock what you haven't tried...and if you have tried it and it wasn't successful for you please share your experience. I am very happy with the change. I wouldn't sell any reptiles feeding on asf rats without the buyer knowing the facts but then again any of my bp's on asf rats are not for sale anyway. It hits a sore spot with me when folks try and make something "new" sound like a bad thing.

The ONLY thing I have seen nay sayers rely on to make asf rats look like poor choice is availability. This very weak assumption is further from the truth every day. Obviously there is size difference also but with my adults I have had zero issues with steady growth when feeding on asf rats.

People interested in asf rats should not be turned away until they have consumed as much info as they can so they can make their OWN decision.

*Not trying to be a jerk just passionate about the animals I work with

I have no need to try. All my snakes feed perfectly fine on regular rats. What is the purpose of breeding these animals? Its only going to cause problems for the people that buy them (snakes imprinted on them). Try getting a snake imprinted on <insert your non rat/mouse rodent here> to switch. You have every right to defend what you have chosen to work with. I just don't get the point. Most breeders don't either.

[stangs13]

You couldn't pay me to switch my snakes from regular old rats to this ridiculous fad of ASFR. I wouldn't feel right trying to sell someone a snake that might be imprinted on them. They are not readily available at pet stores and most likely will never be.

110% agreeable.

I wouldn't want to risk getting my snakes stuck on ASFR and not be able to swithc them off!! Regular rats are still more readily ava. than ASFR are.

Now If you can get the whole country on them, I would try them.

[TekWarren]

...

Now If you can get the whole country on them, I would try them.

Drat! you've unraveled my plan to take over the world!