ASF Tell ALLS... Finally decided to reveal to my BP.net brothers and sisters....

[Bluebead]

Hog starter is higher protien, it just comes in a crumble instead of kibble.

[littleindiangirl]

Most hog feed I have seen at TSC is right around 20%. Not horrible, but not recommended for males and non-nursing females that need lower protein. Too much protein causes an allergic reaction (scabs, itching) and can lead to kidney and liver disease.

[evil mechanic]

Just incase anyone needs to know, in my area the distributors dont have "country acres hog feed" but instead they do have "country acres all stock 16" which they recomend to people in our area for feeding swine. its also 16% protein.

...and to anyone in md, i found it at "Quality Lab Products, Inc" in Elkridge, md for $11 per 50lb bag.

[Jenn]

Thanks Mike. This post is a real keeper. I knew there must be a better way. I ditched the wheels and hoppers a long time ago, and now plan to follow your methods.

Anyone serious about keeping snakes knows that all the work is in the rodents. You have just made my day in a really big way!!!

[cinderbird]

Hey Mike, i noticed that you use pine bedding for your ASFs. Do you find that it adversely affects them in anyway?

It is my understanding that pine and cedar are toxic to regular rats and mice (the same reasons you dont want to use them for snakes).

Or has this all been disproved? i see a lot of people keeping rodents on pine.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Hey Mike, i noticed that you use pine bedding for your ASFs. Do you find that it adversely affects them in anyway?

It is my understanding that pine and cedar are toxic to regular rats and mice (the same reasons you dont want to use them for snakes).

Or has this all been disproved? i see a lot of people keeping rodents on pine.

It is kiln dried pine. That makes it OK to use.

[bobbi]

so if kiln dried pine is ok for the feeders is it ok for the snake too? just curious...sorry a little off topic

[Mike Cavanaugh]

so if kiln dried pine is ok for the feeders is it ok for the snake too? just curious...sorry a little off topic

No, it still is in no way safe for the snakes. Snakes have a much more delicate respiratory system then rodents.

[bobbi]

thats what i though, i was just curious

[littleindiangirl]

I argue against pine and soft woods being 100% safe to use. While kiln drying is effective in removing most of the tars, phenols and oils, the quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so choose a good brand.

I know most people get a head ache when I drop in pine convo's, but I think it's important to let people know that there is still residue left, and it varies from one brand to the next.

I recommend shopping for a bedding that doesn't have strong odor, isn't very dusty, and is light and fluffy. Apply that to both pine or aspen shavings.

It can be argued that no degree of kiln drying is effective in removing ALL of the harmful chemicals, but a good quality pine is better than a bag of raw wet thick shavings, in my opinion.