Feeding every 5 days, safe?

[Raverthug]

So I know theres been alot of debate right now about "Power Feeding". My questions are this. Is it safe to bump my feeding from every 7 days to every 5 days. I know this isnt as often as power feeding but will help me gain much weight or is it not really worth it. I have some females in the 500 gram range that Id like to breed next year and some males id like to get bigger as well. Lastly How many grams can a yearling male and female gain in a year

[Wh00h0069]

In my opinion, yes it is safe. I usually feed my smaller balls every five days, especially the ones that I want to get to breeding size quickly. However, larger balls will likely refuse an every five day regimen, because their prey will take longer to digest than smaller balls.

Edit, I have had balls gain 800 + grams in a year.

[SlitherinSisters]

I also agree with power feeding if you have a good reason. My girls are on a semi heavy schedule right now, as is my 09 spider male. I'm not sure how much a ball can gain from now to breeding season (which is less than a year), but you might be able to get them close to 1,300 if they don't start refusing meals.

[Kaorte]

I wouldn't consider feeding every 5 days to be power feeding. Usually thats like every 2 or 3 days. The only concern with power feeding is that the snake will fast for large parts of the season because it is being fed so much.

Don't rush into breeding. If you need to power feed your snakes to get them up to breeding weight by this season, maybe you should just hold off until next season. By then they will be a great weight and will likely produce bigger and healthier clutches.

[jason79]

I also feed all my younger snakes every 5 days when they start to refuse then I move them to a 7 day schedule. I dont see it as power feeding they would eat even more if I would let them alot of times they start looking for food 2-3 days later. In my opinion power feeding is making them eat more than they naturally would on their own. I also think if you start to notice one is getting obese which to me is when you can see the skin between scale you should cut down on the feed but I have never had one that got obese they just grow at a faster rate in length and weight. I have also had some of mine gain 800+ in one year.

[Jimi_Reptile]

I have heard that power feeding can cut down on your snake's lifespan because it is stressing the organs and body to grow at a quick pase. I would not call every five days power feeding, but once they are adults I would stick to every week. Once a week but with larger prey items or two prey items of equal size. I have been doubling up on feeding for a proven breeder female that has been fasting and is on the line of 1600-1700 that I want to get up to 1800 and breed her a bit late this year. I acquired by female pin four months ago at weight 97g and now she is 247, for comparison.

I would say go for it till they hit the mark you want them at, then slow it down in baby steps