Something wrong...

[jjsnakedude]

So I have a colony of 1.2 (not anymore) ASF that has not been going well. They have only produced 3 litters in the three months that I have had them. The first (5) litter all got eaten, the first litter of the other female (9) got eaten except for 2 and the third litter was scary: 6 pups were born and lived for 15 days. Then the mom killed 4 of them and ate them in a couple hour span. I watched her kill one and gave her chances but she kept on killing them so I fed her off. All their needs are supplied, they are fed Hog Feed similar to the Purina one, they have water, enough space, a hide, playthings. What is going on with all the killings and small litters?

[Paysons Bps]

Thats wierd, I know when mice are scared they will eat there young. I've never heard of asfs eating their young, good thing you fed her off. It could just have been the mom try different females.

Good luck!

-Payson!

[mweippert]

my original groups i got had litters of 4-5. i held back the babies and they are now having average 10-12. i watch for what cages produce the most and use them to start new groups.

i have had mothers kill the babies from time to time. if they kill the babies on the next litter i feed them off and start with a new group. i alwase have enough in the grow up tanks.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

You have to explain their setup in detail, including the location of their enclosure and room traffic.

How old / big were they when you got them?

[ericzerka24]

I haven't had any problems with eating babies but when I first started out, I had a trio in a clear tub. They were in a high traffic area and I think it really stressed them out. They would constantly move the litter around the tub. Once I got them in a rack where they aren't bothered, they've been great.

[jjsnakedude]

You have to explain their setup in detail, including the location of their enclosure and room traffic.

How old / big were they when you got them?

They are in my giant of a closet where only I go in there 2-4 times a day. They usually have it dark to semi gloom in there. I didn't know their age but i am pretty sure they hadn't bred before. They were about 35-50 grams when I got them.

[Shadera]

It's quite possible that your food isn't up to snuff. When I hear people talk about small litters and babies eaten, that's the first thing I think of.

[ericzerka24]

Another thing you might wanna check is that their water comes out well. Some of those bottles don't work very well and I had problems with the dang things. Ended up gettin rid of them and switched to a gravity fed water system.

[jjsnakedude]

It's quite possible that your food isn't up to snuff. When I hear people talk about small litters and babies eaten, that's the first thing I think of.

Some time ago someone posted all the nutritional info of Mike's feed. So I checked the one on mine. everything was within a 3% of what was on his. I also give them treats when I want to usually around 1-2 a week like hard pasta, cherrios, grapes, oats, rice, wheat, carrots, strawberries etc.

Also my water bottles are having problems stopping the water!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

What food are you feeding? whats the nutritional breakdown? You say it is 3% different... if you are talking protein, that is a bigger difference then you think.

You should always set up breeding group when they are in the just weined / small stage. I would get new young ones, check your food, and start over.