Need Housing Advice

[BPGator]

I have a rack with 41qt tubs in which I am housing 3 BPs. I have two other BPs (1 male and 1 female) that were in their own T8 cages and I've recently moved them into the rack to make room in the T8s for other animals. The two in the T8 were larger snakes, so I've taken away their hides due to lack of room in the tub (the rack is enclosed on the sides). They've been in the their about 2 weeks - the male seems to have adjusted fine and has eaten both weeks. In fact, he struck at his pre-killed prey last night; I've been having to leave it in with him overnight. However, the female has failed to eat both weeks. She was eating consistently in the T8, except for the last week when she was in shed. Of my BPs, she's definitely the most shy.

So....

I'm looking for opinions. I'm not worried about her not eating - she fasted from Nov to March so I know she's not suffering. But how long should I keep her in the tub before deciding she doesn't like it in there? She may want a hide, but I don't feel like there's room in the tub for a hide. I originally gave her a hide, but I found her one day wedged between the top of the hide and the shelf above her, so I didn't feel it was safe. I can always put her back in the T8, but I'd like to make the tub work. And please, let's not turn this into a discussion of big fancy cage vs. horrible prison-like tub.

[JodanOrNoDan]

The couple of adults I have that actually use hides, behave like this. I have found them on top of it, behind it and in it. One has a hide that takes up half her tub. Odds are once she eats her first meal in the new configuration she will be fine. It is much easier to feed them when they are actually in the hide though, so about two hours before I feed I will make sure that they are actually in the hide. Catching them outside the hide when attempting to feed them usually puts them out of the mood.

[BPGator]

The couple of adults I have that actually use hides, behave like this. I have found them on top of it, behind it and in it. One has a hide that takes up half her tub. Odds are once she eats her first meal in the new configuration she will be fine. It is much easier to feed them when they are actually in the hide though, so about two hours before I feed I will make sure that they are actually in the hide. Catching them outside the hide when attempting to feed them usually puts them out of the mood.

That's interesting about catching them in the hide. I noticed the last two feedings she was out roaming and when I presented the rat she seemed interested, but then retreated to the back of the tub. She would do this in the T8, except she would retreat to her hide and then eat the rat at some point during the night.

You haven't had any issues with yours wedging themselves between the top of the hide and the above shelf? What hides do you use?

[JodanOrNoDan]

All my racks are homemade, and my tubs still have lids so they will wedge themselves between the top of the hide and the lid not the actual shelf. If in your case it is a problem, the only thing I could suggest is a taller hide. For adult hides, depending on the size of the girl, I will either use an eggbox painted black or a kitty litter pan from the dollar store.