Picky Picky Picky

[Mitch21]

So my female pastel (who's 950g now) went on a 6 week hunger strike during some of April and May. She finally ate the past couple weeks. I breed my own ASFs for feeding and my production has fallen behind which has resulted in smaller than desirable rats for my girl. The last 2 feedings, I've given her the largest rat in the grow up tub which was about a 50g. So she should theoretically be hungry if I feed her once every 7 days an undersized ASF.

Tonight, I go to feed her for the third time since the 6 week hunger strike ended.... She sees the ASF and her senses look very keen and alert. She's in the coiled position ready to strike as the rat and her are face to face about an inch apart. She's breathing heavy and excited as she normally does once she spots the intruder in her tub. For 10 freaking minutes, the rat and her sit nose to nose not moving a freaking muscle. The rat is just sitting there, crapping himself. After about 7 minutes of waiting, she slowly creeps closer to the point that her tongue is touching the rats ear when she flicks it. NOTHING HAPPENS. The rat finally gets his courage up to walk away and that's it.

I tried to bump him closer to her just to see one more time. And again nothing. I took the rat away and she retreats to her hide.

She's a pain. She used to be a garbage machine with these ASFs but recently they don't move when they get close to her and she doesn't strike.

I don't get it. My husbandry is spot on. She absolutely pays no attention to F/T so I feed her live ASFs. She's been a pig in the past. Then all of a sudden in late spring she goes on strike and has been picky ever since.

[icygirl]

I'm having a similar problem with my 07 girl. She used to suck down f/t rats like a vacuum cleaner. Now she's on a feeding strike. She gets excited when she smells the rat, but then won't eat it. Sometimes I wonder what goes through their heads.

[mrshawt]

Jeez, it's like our girls all conspired together...

[Pandora]

My male did the same thing for 5 months during breeding season
He eventually snapped out of it and now eats on a regular basis
Basically, as long as they're not showing any signs of significant weight loss, they should be okay =]
If it continues for a long time or you get super concerned, take her to the vet
She should eventually start eating
Cut back on how often you're offering food but continue to offer it

[LGL]

I'm in the same boat with one of my '07 females too. I finally got her back eating again, but she went into shed and hasn't eaten since. She's been driving me crazy with her hunger strike!

[coldbloodaddict]

Have You tried a live mouse?

[Mitch21]

I normally feed the live ASFs but I've been thinking about trying a live rat from like PetCo or something... I'd prefer not to go to a mouse... They're too small for her.

[coldbloodaddict]

I normally feed the live ASFs but I've been thinking about trying a live rat from like PetCo or something... I'd prefer not to go to a mouse... They're too small for her.

Try the mouse just to spark her to eat, then try switching back to what You normally feed.

I learned along time ago just feed them what they will eat! Eating a mouse is better then not eating nothing.

[Mitch21]

Very true! Thanks!

[Shin86]

any particular reason your production of asf's has fallen behind?