Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have several litters of asf's 10 sets. In most of the sets i have been using pine shavings (drynest) and keeping about 1-3. But i ran into a guy who claimed to use like carefresh and marry the couples. I went with a pelitised pine instead and run a few married. I have had a lot of adult canibalism from either die off or !!!MURDER!!! I have changed there diets back to a good finch mix that has a lot of millit in it. I have added sun and safflower to it. I was thinking of adding some dry cat food into the mix for higher protine. Any other ideas? I need to get production up. there hard to come buy here.

I really suggest going to the asf forums. If your serious about their nutrition, learn from the people that keep them in high numbers.

I personally will be using the harlan teklad 2018. It's 18% protein, good for production and health. It is made with whole grains, no animal fats and made for rats and mice.

That said, the Mazuri 6f is ok, but 9f is better for mice and rats.

It has to be cheaper than any good quality dog or cat food, I would only use the seed as a supplement.

DONT CHANGE THEIR DIET FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. It causes stomach and digestion problems flipping back and forth. Change their diet little by little over the course of a week.

I still would ditch the cat food, it is just totally unsuitable for rodents considering cats should not be eating a plant based diet. It's too high in animal fats and protein with not enough grains for the rodents.

Remember, their digestive systems are completely different. The length of intestine to how they utilize each food source for growth and energy is completely different.

If you absolutely cannot use a rodent diet, try and find a high quality dog food with no more than 20% protein for the ASF.

That is again my .02 cents

I am not changing there diets. I just mix it into the seeds. I was using a multi grain that had corn oats soy wheat and some mollasis with sun and safflower mixed in, but in having the issues i changed back to the seed with both suppliments mixed in. I have two different lab blocks I use locally made, but they have days where they will and won't eat it. I am a believer in not "forcing" your rodents to eat what you give them. I want to give them a diet. as far as the info page http://asfrats.info/ is that where you reccomend?