ASFs Prefered Foods

[Danounet]

Well Im pretty new to breeding (Im still waiting for first litter) ASFs. I have been giving them other kinds of food other than Lab block to figure out what they like to eat alot.

So far the only thing I have find out that ASFs LOVE is Oatmeal (like Quaker Oatmeal) solid right out of the Oatmeal container. I been feeding them this every other day, or every 3rd day. If i gave it to them everyday they would eat it everyday (they realy LOVE it), but since I dont know if thats healthy for them, I dont do it

Also I have 1.2 ASF. By my observation, it is the females that seem to love the oatmeal. The male doesnt eat it nearly as 1/2 as much.

Is feeding them Oatmeal everday healthy for them? if not how often?

Please list any other food that you have found out they love, and how often it is healthy for them to eat it.

Thanx!

[littleindiangirl]

You just have to make sure you aren't giving them so much, that it ends up being all that they eat. Norway rats eat on average 5g/100g of food per day. That's just an average, so keep in mind a lesser nutritionally packed food can very easily be eaten more, and some rats just like to pig out. I figure the same is true for ASFs.

I love rolled oats, they are quite tasty right out of the can!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

You will see much better long term results with either rodent lab block or the correct hog feed.

[frankykeno]

Mine get rodent block as their staple, everyday diet. For a treat and to vary their diet I usually offer them a mix of oatmeal (the large flake old fashioned stuff, not the quick oats), wild bird seed, and a handful of kitty kibble, plus a bit of whatever people cereal is in my pantry. They get that probably twice a week in addition to their block. As well if I have left over fresh veggies or trimmings from veggies I'll toss that in for them to munch on occasionally.

[Mitch21]

If you're just giving them different foods to experiment with what you observe them to like best, I would say just limit that to 'treats'. Otherwise, if it's available to you, I'd just stick with lab block or certain hog feeds like Mike said.

[Danounet]

You will see much better long term results with either rodent lab block or the correct hog feed.

I think people missunderstood me on this. I am using Lab blocks for a regular diet.

Mine get rodent block as their staple, everyday diet. For a treat and to vary their diet I usually offer them a mix of oatmeal (the large flake old fashioned stuff, not the quick oats), wild bird seed, and a handful of kitty kibble, plus a bit of whatever people cereal is in my pantry. They get that probably twice a week in addition to their block. As well if I have left over fresh veggies or trimmings from veggies I'll toss that in for them to munch on occasionally.

This is what I was talking about; "treats" as in dog treats, but for ASFs

Im just wondering what everyone gives their ASFs as treats, just to get an Idea and to know whats safe and whats not safe. The oatmeal I give them is the old fashioned one too.

[cobweb2000]

Mine are crazy about millet sprays, superworms, fresh vegetables and small pieces of day-old bagels. You just need to make sure they aren't filling up on treats and ignoring their blocks.

I would imagine pretty much anything safe to feed a norway rat would be safe for them.
Here is a list of 'forbidden foods' for norways, I avoid these same foods for ASF's:
http://www.petratscanada.com/forbidden_foods.htm

[Danounet]

Kool, thanx alot!

[zombieon3rd]

I have had luck with Veggie scraps after making a salad. Also I have tried Timmothy Hay and on some days I throw in some dried corn and sunflower seeds. All in a controlled limited manner. Just as a treat.

[frankykeno]

The only thing I don't offer the ASF's that I do offer the Norways is the occasional meat/bones. The ASF's don't seem to like that at all though my Norway's go nuts on chicken wing night around here.