After a 10 month fast, I finally broke down and offered an ASF today and she nailed it. She's only lost about 150gms, down to 1350gms, so I was trying to hold out without having to offer a soft-furred. Hopefully now I can get her going on some rats with some ASF scenting, if not I still have a pair of ASF's and I'll have to start a small colony for her (even though I already got the lecture from the better half about not having "rats" in the garage :nono:).

I tell ya I have a spider male and a Het pied female that went off feed. I offered them ASF's that I got from a friend. They ate first time those things are better than mice. Both have switched back over to rats after a few feeds the trick is to scent a rat that is smaller than the size ASF you have been offering. My 06 Female Mojo just pounds them. She was the pickyiest eater I have ever seen. But she'll hit the soft furs, day, night, shed when ever. I keep a colony going and just seperate them by sex into tub in a mouse rack they never get to big for a Ball and thats the best part. :D

How are you scenting. I used the old shavings from a tray and a little spritz of water.

How are you scenting. I used the old shavings from a tray and a little spritz of water.

Shake and Bake method. spritz rat with a little water, place in kritter keeper with ASF bedding, flip around a couple of times, Offer to snake.

Those ASFs sure do the trick on tough eaters.

I got a ball in a few months ago that had gotten injured pretty bad during a feed -- needless to say it just wasn't feeding anymore and the owners turned him over to a local reptile rescue that turned him over to me. I tried everything live and f/t, big and small and he wasn't interested in anything -- but the ASFs he was all over -- eventually got him back in the swing of feeding, got him taking regular f.t. rats and found him a new home. :wamma:

On the down side -- I have a stubborn pain in the ass pastel that went off feed and after 9 months will only take ASFs now -- still trying to get her to take a scented normal rat but she aint having anything but the ASFs. I guess it's better than watching her starve to death or having to force feed her - but she was such a good feeder before - hope I can get her back there.

Try a rat as the next meal and see. I have found with some of mine is all it takes is one ASF and they are back to normal. I use to try and wait them out but it is not worth it to loose the time......

I
On the down side -- I have a stubborn pain in the ass pastel that went off feed and after 9 months will only take ASFs now -- still trying to get her to take a scented normal rat but she aint having anything but the ASFs. I guess it's better than watching her starve to death or having to force feed her - but she was such a good feeder before - hope I can get her back there.

That's exactly what I was afraid of, but got tired of missing breeding opts with this girl. I'm really hoping I can get her to switch, but with her track record I'm doubting it'll be easy.

I had a girl that came in with a URI. I treated her and she didn't eat for about 4 months.. Last night I tried an ASF and she bit it and wrapped but then let it go.?? I grabbed the rat and offered again she took it down.. I was so happy!! I'll try a sm rat next time.. Hopefully she'll take off for me.

Alan

Just a quick update, I got a small live rat today and in the bag I threw in some bedding from the ASF's and shook it around a little. Placed the rat in her cage and in 5 min it was gone! :wamma: Being as this girl hasn't eaten for me since Feb, except for one ASF, I was elated. Next step is no scenting and then my ASF colony dreams are down the drain. :lol:

Nice site, WildMorph! Open question to all: Do the big rat breeders sell F/T ASF's? Not looking forward to starting my own group...

Nice site, WildMorph! Open question to all: Do the big rat breeders sell F/T ASF's? Not looking forward to starting my own group...

Thanks its a work in progress. :yourock:

ASFR's are the greatest "invention" in the reptile hobby.

Good information here, I'm hoping I can get my picky female on ASF, she won't eat nothing except a single mouse once and a while.