ASF Setup

[Kevin_Hornby]

This is our current ASF setup. Finally have the breeding groups I want all separated so got a bunch of weaned ones growing up now.

[Mitch21]

Very nicely organized! ASFs are pretty cool once you work out any kinks you encounter.

[Kevin_Hornby]

Thanks,

Now we just gotta get all the groups having babies so I can stop buying rats. But then I have to set up more grow out tanks. All those 10 gallons have trios so I should be getting about 60 babies a week when they are all breeding consistantly.

[suzuki4life]

I would dump the straw/hay...good source for mites.

Food hoppers at ground level, might as well dump it on the ground. The point of a hopper is to help keep them from peeing on it.

I personally run the colonies 1.4

Should average a litter per week per tank in theory.

[suzuki4life]

In your growing tank, be prepared to be constantly cleaning those waterers. They work for chickens and insects but rodents will get bedding in them.

[Kevin_Hornby]

Rats are gonna pee and poop on food. If you mount the hoppers on the wall of the 10 gallon they will climb the sides so it makes no difference (They manage to pee and poop on top of there water bottles). The reason for the hopper isn't to keep the food clean its to make it so they don't waste the food as much. With the waterer's you would be surprised how well they work actually I'm fairly happy with them.

[suzuki4life]

Rats are gonna pee and poop on food. If you mount the hoppers on the wall of the 10 gallon they will climb the sides so it makes no difference (They manage to pee and poop on top of there water bottles). The reason for the hopper isn't to keep the food clean its to make it so they don't waste the food as much. With the waterer's you would be surprised how well they work actually I'm fairly happy with them.

strange, my hoppers don't have poop in or on them. Pee mostly drips as they move, so yes it is possible but not as likely as when they crawl over their food.

[Kevin_Hornby]

strange, my hoppers don't have poop in or on them. Pee mostly drips as they move, so yes it is possible but not as likely as when they crawl over their food.

I guess my rats are just more active than yours.

[suzuki4life]

As they get older they will eat, sleep, poop and hoepfully breed.


If they don't do the last part, off to the freezer.

[cobweb2000]

Your setup looks really nice. I'm so glad you gave them some room to move about and they have the space to do more than eat and sleep.

Mine also are very active and climb (and pee) on everything in the tank, so I wouldn't worry about the hopper being at ground level.

When given enough space and accessories to engage in some of their normal behaviour, they are actually very interesting little animals to watch; have fun with them!