ASF Litter sizes

[njdevils783]

Hey, I just had my 2nd litter of ASF rats which is good but the litter sizes are really small. I know sometimes when its the girls first time producing they have small litters but only 8 babies in one and 5 in another? Am I doing something wrong? How do you get litter sizes up? Is there better protein combos? Seems so not worth the time money and effort at this point :-(

[blackcrystal22]

It really depends on the ASF. You can't expect the same size litter you would get out of a normal rat. These are different species.

I've gotten twelve at my highest, but I've only had a few litters. :] I'm sure there have been plenty others with lots more in their litters.

Try giving the females that you want to be pregnant different, more nutritious food. I've heard that food can make a difference. But don't count me on that one. :]

[twh]

what size are your breeding groups and what is the size of there enclosures?

[FIREball]

Ive had 2 litters, both moms were first time breeders. First litter was 12 and second was 17. Mine are kept in 1.2 trios and fed Mazuri

[shadi11]

We keep ours in a 1.2 trios. We have found that if you let them grow up a little we usually get about 20 per litter feeding kent 23% rodent diet. We do add a little alfafa to help the mothers nurse. but I do know that if you have smaller asf they do not produce as well. Some friends of ours soft furs are not as large as ours and don't produce the numbers we do.

[littleindiangirl]

My first 2 litters were 17 and 15. ( I believe, I counted 6 times lol) First time mothers, un-related, and on Mazuri 6F.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

It will increase as they get bigger, as long as they are not over crouded. If your adults are smaller then average, freshen the blood line up!

[njdevils783]

So in a 20 gallon long whats a good ratio is 1:3 ok?... I give Nutriphase rat/mouse food.
Crude Protein (min) 16.0%
Crude Fat (min) 7.0%
Crude Fiber (max) 10.0%
Moisture (max) 12.0%

I supplement that with the Kaytee forti diet which as 21% protein but they dont really eat it much. Most just gets buried in the bedding. Like I said I try and supplement with crickets once a week, I give lots of veggies and fruit. What am I doing wrong?

[njdevils783]

What is a good size adult female for breeding? My girls aren't that big but they are like 6 months old. I think there like 65grams

[littleindiangirl]

That sounds about right to me. Have they been inbred for a while? I'm not sure on nutriphase, but it sorta sounds like that mix seed crap... Kaytee I KNOW is crap...

This is a good diet. Fed with a high quality lab block or dog food.
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