Lots of death...

[Mitch21]

I have been posting here a lot these past months regarding random deaths in my ASF tubs. Just recently I thought I had it under control. I hadn't had any deaths for a couple of litters. Last week I moved all of my weaners into the same tub (there were about 22 of them). Everyone has been active and I have observed them easily getting food and water.

The food hopper is half inch screening so I know they can easily get to the lab block. The water is also very accessible.

I haven't noticed any irregular behavior. And then about 4 days ago, my weaners have started dying. I've lost 5 now and more look weak.

I've made ONE change in this time but can't imagine that change is causing this. I used to keep an unused UTH under the tub to keep them at about 85 because my bathroom easily gets down to the low 70s at night. But like I said, they all huddle together at during the day and are active at night so I didn't think it was that big of an issue.

Could some cooler temperatures being killing off a large amount of my weaners? Any help is always appreciated...

Mitch

[rebeccabecca]

I think the temps are fine. &0 is ok for them as I keep my house 65-70 all the time. The breeder I got my ASF from kept his in the basement.I think It's more of a virus. Isolate them from your other rats or kill then off and scrub everything!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

man you keep having so many problems.... shouldn't have anything to do with the temps. My garage gets down to the upper 50's and I don't have any issues.

[Mitch21]

I know right! The ASFs gods must be pissed at me or something... I feel like everything I'm doing is what everyone else is doing but mine just keep dying...


One more of my little guys is on his last breath it seems... He walks around the tub with his eyes almost closed (keep in mind, him and all the others have been fully aware and COMPLETELY FINE by themselves in this tub for the past week and a half), every couple of inches he walks, he stumbles and falls over. I don't know if he's searching for something. I've put a piece of lab block right in front of him and he doesn't want it. I've taken an extra water bottle and tried letting him drink and he'll take a couple licks but then is disinterested again...

NO IDEA what is going on..........

[Mitch21]

Annnnd another one is gone....

[llovelace]

When are you weaning them?

[Mitch21]

I wean them between 4 and 5 weeks of age when they have their eyes fully open and they're running around the parent tub...

All of these guys/girls have been fine for like the first 10 days that they were in the weanling tub. Then out of nowhere, almost half of them have died within the past 4 days....

[JasonG]

wha type of bedding are you using?

[grammie]

you say they can get to the water, but are they drinking??

[mooingtricycle]

Why are you using heat? I dont use heat on my ASF stuff at all. Perfectly fine, even in a cold room.