wade
Save The Humans
The frozen ones don't make very good pets. They tend to melt.
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I've got ASFR babies, progression pics!
- Thread starter Susielea
- Start date
The frozen ones don't make very good pets. They tend to melt.
Velvet
Totally corn crazy!!!!
My adults are more prone to cowering rather than biting and don't bite often but when they do OH BOY! They do it properly!!!!
Be careful of those babies though, they become jumping beans MUCH earlier than mice do! lol
I LOVE my African Softfurred rats! Even my non-snakie, rodent hating BF loves them! lol The other day he went into my rodent room (I ONLY have ASFs now) and said "wow, these guys smell great! The room doesn't stink anymore!" hehehe
I'll never go back to mice! lol
Be careful of those babies though, they become jumping beans MUCH earlier than mice do! lol
I LOVE my African Softfurred rats! Even my non-snakie, rodent hating BF loves them! lol The other day he went into my rodent room (I ONLY have ASFs now) and said "wow, these guys smell great! The room doesn't stink anymore!" hehehe
I'll never go back to mice! lol
Susielea
Lily
I know what you mean about them cowering, they definitely seem more afraid of me, than I am of them
The fact that they don't smell bad is a very big plus point!
I've never kept mice, but these ASFR's do smell much less than the rats, hamsters and gerbils we've had before. I also like the fact that they pick a corner to urinate in and a corner to poop in, well mine do anyway, so it makes it much easier to clean too!
Thanks for all the nice comments guys!
Susielea
Lily
So, did no one notice the new babies in the last photo?
The second female had a small litter of 3 babies yesterday and I didn't realise until after I'd cleaned the tank out. I opened the nest box to check on last weeks babies and there were the three new ones, with the second Momma suckling all 11, ahhhh!
I know Waldo said that they become jumping beans at about a week and a half old, but she didn't say how high they jump! It's about 3 inches off the ground when they get going, so I think I've got my work cut out
Nanci, these guys don't seem to make nests at all, at the moment they are using paper towel sheets to form a barricade at the door to the nest box, to stop the babies getting out, because they are so mobile now, but have not used the bedding I put in the box, they even kick it out if I put more in :shrugs:
Thanks for the nice comments everyone
The second female had a small litter of 3 babies yesterday and I didn't realise until after I'd cleaned the tank out. I opened the nest box to check on last weeks babies and there were the three new ones, with the second Momma suckling all 11, ahhhh!
I know Waldo said that they become jumping beans at about a week and a half old, but she didn't say how high they jump! It's about 3 inches off the ground when they get going, so I think I've got my work cut out
Nanci, these guys don't seem to make nests at all, at the moment they are using paper towel sheets to form a barricade at the door to the nest box, to stop the babies getting out, because they are so mobile now, but have not used the bedding I put in the box, they even kick it out if I put more in :shrugs:
Thanks for the nice comments everyone
not pets
These rodents will never make good pets. There are a few reasons for this some well known. One they are very prolific having upto 20 at a time and 16 being the norm every 3 weeks. Many more males than females born and males fight with themselves when they come of age if there is a female around. They are much more hyper than normal rodents needing alot more room and exercise. Tubs are really not big enough even though people keep them in them. Yes, they bite and often when they start which can happen anytime.
I have been breeding them a year and feed them to my corns. My male does not bite for he is timid but he has bitten me when scared once. My oldest female has nailed me 3 times so far. They have gotten out of their cage once. Oh, and they chew if board, alot and anything. I give alot of wood to mine for they need it to keep off plastic.
No, these will never become pets because they are so hyper. Handling them is not a option when they launch away from you. I could never think of giving these to a child for they would be running arouind the house in no time. Sure they smell next to nothing and look cute but just wait you will see why those of us that have had them for a bit say what we say. Be carefull feeding them to your corns also they will make them FAT fast. I have only been feeding weanlings and fuzzies to mine and I have to put them on a diet now. LOL They are candy to corns they can't get enough of them.
These rodents will never make good pets. There are a few reasons for this some well known. One they are very prolific having upto 20 at a time and 16 being the norm every 3 weeks. Many more males than females born and males fight with themselves when they come of age if there is a female around. They are much more hyper than normal rodents needing alot more room and exercise. Tubs are really not big enough even though people keep them in them. Yes, they bite and often when they start which can happen anytime.
I have been breeding them a year and feed them to my corns. My male does not bite for he is timid but he has bitten me when scared once. My oldest female has nailed me 3 times so far. They have gotten out of their cage once. Oh, and they chew if board, alot and anything. I give alot of wood to mine for they need it to keep off plastic.
No, these will never become pets because they are so hyper. Handling them is not a option when they launch away from you. I could never think of giving these to a child for they would be running arouind the house in no time. Sure they smell next to nothing and look cute but just wait you will see why those of us that have had them for a bit say what we say. Be carefull feeding them to your corns also they will make them FAT fast. I have only been feeding weanlings and fuzzies to mine and I have to put them on a diet now. LOL They are candy to corns they can't get enough of them.
Susielea
Lily
Update!
Well, Momma #3 delivered her 1st litter this morning, so I thought I'd better post new photos. I've put some really rubbish labels on these pics, so you can see the diference in size from todays babies and those from 2 weeks ago
The little guys from 2 weeks ago, are now getting out of the box and moving around the tank, even though their eyes are not open yet. The Mum's are having a hell of a time trying to keep them all in one place, but it's very entertaining to watch
Hope you enjoy!
Well, Momma #3 delivered her 1st litter this morning, so I thought I'd better post new photos. I've put some really rubbish labels on these pics, so you can see the diference in size from todays babies and those from 2 weeks ago
The little guys from 2 weeks ago, are now getting out of the box and moving around the tank, even though their eyes are not open yet. The Mum's are having a hell of a time trying to keep them all in one place, but it's very entertaining to watch
Hope you enjoy!
Attachments
Susielea
Lily
The first litter of babies have started to open their eyes today and are venturing around the tank more often, I have also seen one eating a little food for the first time today as well (16 days old)
I decided to get the babies out for weighing, as I thought it would be helpful for comparing against mouse sizes, although I have no idea how much mice weigh at the different stages of growth, so maybe someone else can post mouse and/or rat weights?
1 day = 2-3 grams
8 days = 5-6 grams
16 days = 8-9 grams
Oh and another cute pic, just couldn't resist
I decided to get the babies out for weighing, as I thought it would be helpful for comparing against mouse sizes, although I have no idea how much mice weigh at the different stages of growth, so maybe someone else can post mouse and/or rat weights?
1 day = 2-3 grams
8 days = 5-6 grams
16 days = 8-9 grams
Oh and another cute pic, just couldn't resist
Attachments
Mrsnackpack
New member
are you gonna, feed em??
Susielea
Lily
Well the original intention was to cull and freeze these for food, yes, but I have people interested in buying them to start their own breeding colonies now, so that's what will happen with these ones
snakemom1961
Spring is here!
As some here may remember I am deathly afraid of mice and rats. I can't even handle f/t to feed the snakes unless they are in baggies.
But I must admit those babies are too cute for words. Even the momma's are kinda cute.lol
I guess if I were to go back to trying to raise food for the snakes(our colony before was up to my daughters to take care of). I'd try the ASF's.
Looking forward to seeing more pics of thses kids. Thanks for sharing
But I must admit those babies are too cute for words. Even the momma's are kinda cute.lol
I guess if I were to go back to trying to raise food for the snakes(our colony before was up to my daughters to take care of). I'd try the ASF's.
Looking forward to seeing more pics of thses kids. Thanks for sharing
Susielea
Lily
I think I may have 3 albino babies!
Well the 3rd litter is growing well and getting some colour to their fur, but these three babies haven't got the grey band across them like the others. So I did a bit of surfing and found that there are pink eyed dilute ASFR's and it looks like I may have 3 in the third litter, although I'll have to wait another week or so until their eyes open to be sure
Sadly 4 of the babies from the first litter, were found dead, 2 on Wednesday, 1 on Thursday and 1 yesterday There were no visible signs of injury, but the mothers seemed to have stopped suckling the oldest litter, who have been out and about a lot more. Four of that litter have been seen eating and drinking quite a bit since Monday, but the four that have died, I didn't see out much, so I'm wondering if they just didn't learn how to survive on their own, before the females started withdrawing suckling privileges? :shrugs:
Having never bred small rodents before, I'm not sure if this is something that just happens, or it's the inexperienced first time mothers not teaching them how to eat and drink, but hopefully the remaining 4 from the first litter will make it.
If anyone has had this happen with their mice or rats, I would be grateful for any insight or advice. I know that first time mothers can lose some or all of their first litter, but I didn't expect it to happen just as they were weaning.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the pics of the suspected albinos (pink eyed dilute agouti?)
Well the 3rd litter is growing well and getting some colour to their fur, but these three babies haven't got the grey band across them like the others. So I did a bit of surfing and found that there are pink eyed dilute ASFR's and it looks like I may have 3 in the third litter, although I'll have to wait another week or so until their eyes open to be sure
Sadly 4 of the babies from the first litter, were found dead, 2 on Wednesday, 1 on Thursday and 1 yesterday
There were no visible signs of injury, but the mothers seemed to have stopped suckling the oldest litter, who have been out and about a lot more. Four of that litter have been seen eating and drinking quite a bit since Monday, but the four that have died, I didn't see out much, so I'm wondering if they just didn't learn how to survive on their own, before the females started withdrawing suckling privileges? :shrugs:Having never bred small rodents before, I'm not sure if this is something that just happens, or it's the inexperienced first time mothers not teaching them how to eat and drink, but hopefully the remaining 4 from the first litter will make it.
If anyone has had this happen with their mice or rats, I would be grateful for any insight or advice. I know that first time mothers can lose some or all of their first litter, but I didn't expect it to happen just as they were weaning.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the pics of the suspected albinos (pink eyed dilute agouti?)
Attachments
Iguanagirl8662
Katie
Sorry to hear four of them didn't make it.
The 3 new ones are very cute. I really want ASF's and normal rats but my boyfriend thinks they are ugly. How could anyone think those little guys are ugly, they're so cute.
The 3 new ones are very cute. I really want ASF's and normal rats but my boyfriend thinks they are ugly. How could anyone think those little guys are ugly, they're so cute.
claireree
New member
I had the same problem with my fancy mouse, she gave birth to 5 babies and only 2 managed to survive, one by one they just kept dying for no apparant reason. The last two I have left seem to be doing well but totally different sizes one is really big and the other is tiny nearly half the size, in my case I just dont think the mouse is a very good mum she is quite small anyway, but as she is my daughter pet I cant really get rid of her maybe better luck next time.
Maybe yours just had too many to feed, I do have another cage of mice with three mums and they all share the feeding but I do tend to take a fair few away at pinkie age so they dont have too many to feed.
Maybe yours just had too many to feed, I do have another cage of mice with three mums and they all share the feeding but I do tend to take a fair few away at pinkie age so they dont have too many to feed.
I haven't noticed that problem. In cases of failure to thrive it can usually be attributed to crowding or diet.
ASFs have 20 or 22 teats so I doubt they ran out of "room", unless some of the females are not doing their part and it was all left to one female to feed all of them. Also having multiple litters at different ages could be part of the problem, though shouldn't be an issue if all the females are doing their part.
Assuming they have a 24/7 source of lab block and clean water in water bottles, diet can probably be ruled out. Though with new breeding females it wouldn't hurt to supplement their protein. Dry kitten food is good, or tuna or cooked egg or meat.
ASFs have 20 or 22 teats so I doubt they ran out of "room", unless some of the females are not doing their part and it was all left to one female to feed all of them. Also having multiple litters at different ages could be part of the problem, though shouldn't be an issue if all the females are doing their part.
Assuming they have a 24/7 source of lab block and clean water in water bottles, diet can probably be ruled out. Though with new breeding females it wouldn't hurt to supplement their protein. Dry kitten food is good, or tuna or cooked egg or meat.