First Feed - Few Questions

[pHenom]

Hi all!

I've had my first BP for a week today so i was planning on his first feeding. He pooped in his enclosure for the first time last night and as i changed out some paper towels he seemed a bit skittish

So my first question is whether or not i should try feeding today since he seemed skittish last night

Second question is live or f/t for the first meal? Breeder recommends live for first few meals, has anyone had success going f/t right away?

Thank you all

[EL-Ziggy]

I'd try feeding him tonight. It can't hurt to try f/t but don't get upset if your snake refuses. I've had a few snakes accept f/t their first feeding and others that took more work. You might get lucky. If the snake refuses try feeding again in 7-10 days.

[dakski]

Hi all!

I've had my first BP for a week today so i was planning on his first feeding. He pooped in his enclosure for the first time last night and as i changed out some paper towels he seemed a bit skittish

So my first question is whether or not i should try feeding today since he seemed skittish last night

Second question is live or f/t for the first meal? Breeder recommends live for first few meals, has anyone had success going f/t right away?

Thank you all

I would wait 1 more day. Make sure he's really comfortable and settled in.

How old and how much does he weigh? The older/bigger he is, the longer you can go between feedings without risk.

I had zero problems switching my 200G BP, Shayna, to F/T for live immediately. Usually, as young BP's, they switch pretty easily. She's 6 now and 1650G and has never eaten anything but F/T with me.

Below I have my detailed description of how to thaw and offer F/T prey. This should help you have a higher likelihood of success.






This is my step by step list on defrosting F/T rodents.

Others may do it differently and that's fine. This how I do it and it works for me.


STEPS FOR DEFROSTING F/T RODENTS/PREY

1. Put prey item(s) into appropriate size plastic bag (1 for each). I use Quart size ziplock bags up to a medium rat. NOTE: Bags are optional. Some people just throw the prey in the water. I like the bags, but you have to squeeze the air out of them.

2. Fill the container/storage box 3/4 of the way with room temp to slightly warm water. If you have a temp gun (which you should, so if you don't, get one), make sure the water is not hotter than 85-90F, or there about.

3. Put F/T prey item(s) in water. Cover (optional) and leave for an hour +/-.

4. After an hour, rotate/flip prey. If in plastic bags, they often will stay on whatever side you put them in on. So if mouse is on left side, turn to right side, etc.

5. Leave for another hour +/- for a TOTAL of about 2 hours (up to medium sized rat - longer if bigger prey for when ROE is bigger and eating Large rats, for example).

6. Check that prey is defrosted totally through. Squeeze at different sections of the preys body. Should be cool/room temp to touch, but be soft with no cold spots. If hard (except for bone), in abdomen, for example, or cold, put back in water until room temp and soft.

7. Take prey out of the container/storage box and put aside. THEN FOLLOW STEPS 8-11 OR STEP 12

8. Fill container with hot water from tap. If using temp gun, water temp should be 110-130F, not more.

9. Drop prey item into water for 30 seconds +/-. If multiple prey items, do one at a time. You want each item hot when you offer.

10. Remove (if hot water, with tongs).

11. Dry as best as you can, and is quickly as you can, with paper towels. I dry with paper towels while I am walking from the bathroom where I defrost to the snake tanks. I kind of wrap the prey item up in them. It's ten feet, so by the time I get to the tanks, the prey is drier, but still warm.

12. If not using hot water, use a hairdryer to heat rat so it entices snake

13. Open tank and offer ASAP.

[Craiga 01453]

First off, welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping!!

If it were me, I would offer F/T tonight, see what happens. Worst case scenario, he doesn't eat. No big deal. Wait 7 days and try again. If there's another refusal then, we can revisit the situation.

[Zincubus]

There's loads of ways ..

I'm in the UK so I've only EVER fed frozen thawed and if he's gonna eat - this way never ever fails .

~~



Make sure it's evening as they're nocturnal , mine prefer low light / dim light and all four now only strike from within their hides .
Heat well with hairdryer then offer with tongs - dangle in front of the hide entrance - offer IMMEDIATELY whilst still warm - they cool down substantially each second. If there is the slightest interest shown , reheat and offer instantly- repeat the procedure as many times as it takes .

~~~

Obviously if it's too soon or he's going in shed he won't be interested..


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[pHenom]

Thank you all for your help! Tons of great info here

How old and how much does he weigh? The older/bigger he is, the longer you can go between feedings without risk.

He's a little guy, hatched on 7/2 and weighed 99g when i got him. Which is why i want to give myself the best chance at success the first time

[dakski]

Thank you all for your help! Tons of great info here


He's a little guy, hatched on 7/2 and weighed 99g when i got him. Which is why i want to give myself the best chance at success the first time

Defrost properly and heat and offer. Tonight or tomorrow. Should be fine.

Shake me on the tongs gently and see if he takes it. If he doesn’t strike l, leave for a few hours and see if he eats.

If not, leave him alone and try in 7 days. No handling etc.

Keep us in the loop.

[Snakeydoodles]

Shake me on the tongs gently

Sorry, this was just too funny OP: You’ve gotten great advice from everyone, hope it goes well!!

[dakski]

Sorry, this was just too funny OP: You’ve gotten great advice from everyone, hope it goes well!!

Damn iPhones!

LOL! Shake the MOUSE on the tongs gently!

Also, below is the BP feeding chart. Make sure you are giving the same prey item he's used to and that is appropriate size.

[Zincubus]

One last thing... which ever way you choose ... many Royals/ Balls especially youngsters will ONLY strike from under their hides where they feel secure ..

So for the first time at least I'd make sure its settled under its hide for a while then dangle the WARM mouse in front of the hide entrance and DON'T blink !


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