Backround info: I have my breeders set up in 10 gallon tanks. 1.4 ratio. I use equine fresh, and feed primarily mazuri 6f from a hopper.... with ocasional wild bird seed or carrots as a treat. there is a running wheel hanging from the top, and I keep a 4" 2x4 in at all times for chewing.

I noticed that in the tank that has 100% rats from my newest line (have had them about 4 months) 2 of the girls have developed nasty sores. One has a big one on its leg, the other has one on the back of its neck, and one under the chin. This puzzles me because they are my biggest, healthiest looking line, and average the biggest litters. (average litter has been 14+) The sores look nasty because they look like they have dust from the pine pellets stuck in the scabs, and look infected. I noticed this a few days ago.

Well, last night I was watching them around midnight, and the male was feeling frisky and was mating with all of 4 of the females. I noticed he was VERY ruff with them.. grabbing, biting, fighting, and then mating. One bled a little from his bite. I have watched ASF's mate many times. this was definately rougher then usual... but like I said, apparenly he does the job better then average!

Do you think the agressive male is where the sores are coming from? My guess is that he is being too rough, they are getting cut, then the darn dust from the pine pellets is getting in the open wounds and helping them to get infected.... Or maybe it is some kind of allergy... or maybe there is just something wrong with the line....

To try to isolate and / or fix the problem, I removed all the children ( 29 babies, all with just opened eyes) and cleaned the tank and put aspen in instead of the equine fresh. (have never used the aspen for ASF's)

Any info anyone can give on this would be greatly appreciated.