I guess I'm an ASF breeder now. Tips?

[Emilio]

I've bred them for a couple years now and believe that groups of 1.2 are the way to go. They are nippy very nervous in comparison to domestic rats and also smarter than rats. If you get an escapee he or she will not rest til they do it again.

Like most have posted there only drawback is growth rate. Good luck with them they are going to breed like crazy.

[PolishPython]

Well ill tell you this it took me 3 weeks to find 1 person who can get their hands on ASF's but they told me they don't refcommend me getting my pinstripe(who hasn't eaten in 4 months now but only has lost about 30 grams) hooked on something that is hard to find. Long story short he told me 3 bucks a piece so you made out just fine

[SlitherinSisters]

Thanks for the info everyone! I'm working on my racks as we speak. I'm going to have 1.2 in each tub. And if I understood right, you leave the males in even when they have babies. The lady gave them to me in separate tubs (males in one females in the other) so I think I will have to wait till the babies are weaned before putting the females and males together in their 1.2 colonies?

[nevohraalnavnoj]

Super-cute! I want some!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Welcome to the darkside....

Looks like you have been given decent advice so far. I personally NEVER change a breeding group. Once one dies, the other two ALWAYS get fed off.

Feel free to ask any questions you have as you get further along... we are happy to help!!

[pavlovk1025]

I've bred them for a couple years now and believe that groups of 1.2 are the way to go. They are nippy very nervous in comparison to domestic rats and also smarter than rats. If you get an escapee he or she will not rest til they do it again.

Like most have posted there only drawback is growth rate. Good luck with them they are going to breed like crazy.

I found that dropping black oil sunflower seeds into the tank when they start opening their eyes and exploring, and then for the first week that they're in the growout tub boosts growth.
Some say it's a bunch of fat, but I dont know, mine are nice and healthy looking and acting, just a little bigger out the gate.

Welcome to the darkside....

Looks like you have been given decent advice so far. I personally NEVER change a breeding group. Once one dies, the other two ALWAYS get fed off.

Feel free to ask any questions you have as you get further along... we are happy to help!!

Mike Im with you on that, I go either way on it. It all depends on the age of the group. If they were fairly young, Ill set up a 1.1 and add the other female in in order to maximize her potential.

[mechnut450]

well i had mine for a while and I know that they not cheap most the time. I know in Delaware they sold like 15 bucks a piece when you find them , and they sodl under a fancy mice name ( lol makes no since with that name) I have mine in 3 large tansk but I know they were not breeding right and I learned why lol I wasw keeping soemthing like 2-9 ratio cause I didn't have enough water bottles/room to set up about a dozen tanks. I also found if I dumped the rodents into a clea ntub and then wiped the old cage down when I cleaned the males were not getting jumped as bad since it was all a new and clean set up for them.

I also founda chewing trick they liked for a hide/ chew area. I took a small piece of plywood( to fit inthe tank and screwed 4 pieces of 2x3 for legs making a mini table they will climb on hide under and chew on and it made out of scrap wood lol..

[Emilio]

I found that dropping black oil sunflower seeds into the tank when they start opening their eyes and exploring, and then for the first week that they're in the growout tub boosts growth.
Some say it's a bunch of fat, but I dont know, mine are nice and healthy looking and acting, just a little bigger out the gate.




Mike Im with you on that, I go either way on it. It all depends on the age of the group. If they were fairly young, Ill set up a 1.1 and add the other female in in order to maximize her potential.

I have to try the sunflower seeds then. I give them carrots, bread and pumpkin seeds to change it up sometimes.

[pavlovk1025]

I have to try the sunflower seeds then. I give them carrots, bread and pumpkin seeds to change it up sometimes.

If theyre making you happy with their production, give them popcorn as a treat...they go absolutely insane for it.

I give them any veggies that we have that are going bad, and at one point I gave them the rinds and core from a pineapple, they enjoyed that for a bit.

For the OP
Pricing, you got a good deal BTW. I sell trios for like 30 bucks cause I find that Im one of the few locally that has ASFs, and quality ones at that. The local pet store has them for like 5 bucks a piece but they only sell males, I sell feeders for 1-2 a piece.

[Danounet]

All I have to say is, for the love of God dont give them a wheel! it will mess with their production and they will be on it 90% of the time whenever they are awake. If you did give them a wheel, dont take it out now, they will turn aggressive. When you set up new groups in the future dont give them wheels.