Reluctant-to-feed hatchlings

My first clutch hatched on June 11th. They have been offered food several times...

One has eatin 3 meals (every time offered),
four have eatin 2 meals (skipped the first offering),
one has eatin 1 meal,
and one has not eatin yet.

They are all in the same rack in separate, but identical tubs...6 qts on paper, high humidity and heat tape around 89-90. All have been getting offered mouse hoppers.

What should I do about the one that has not eatin yet? Should I be worried about her and consider assist-feeding...or just continue to offer her food on the regular feeding schedule and hope she eats eventually?

Also...how often do you all feed your hatchlings?

- Do not offer more than once a week.
- Provide a place to hide.
- Try to offer hopper mice.

This has worked for me, good luck whit your babies!

For hatchlings, I've found that hides can be the difference between eating and holding out.

I offer rat pinks first, then if they don't take it from the tongs, I put in a hopper immediately after, they almost always take it. I usually have about half take the rat pink 1st try and the rest take the hopper. Of course there always seems to be one stubborn one.

If they don't eat, rinse and repeat once every 5 days. Except, if you're using rat pinks, scoot the pink into the hide with the snake and leave it for an hour or two or even overnight. If they don't take the pink, follow it with a hopper, they'll usually snatch it right up.

As you can tell, I always try rats first, just because that is what I want them on in short order anyways. Some don't try rats until after a meal or two of hoppers. Whatever works for you.

Also, try feeding at night and keeping it as dark as you can while feeding.

I'd give it a couple more weeks before you start thinking assist feeding personally.

I find that mice hoppers and rats pinks are a bit on the small side.
Mine all start on live rats pups and usually eat within a week or so after first shed.

I have only had to assist feed one animal and that was a last resort. Not sure if you are looking for an okay to assist feed or not, but I would give it another week or two.

If the animal looks and acts like normal I would not worry too much. The yolk will usually sustain them for the first few weeks to a month,


Gavin

Put your non eater on aspen and wait a week before offering food.

I usually start to worry 6 weeks after the hatch date of course it depends on the animal itself, obviously if there was issues such as the yolk not being fully absorbed or any other issue I would worry sooner.

Make sure your hatching is well hydrated and consider switching to aspen as I mentioned above

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Put your non eater on aspen and wait a week before offering food.

I usually start to worry 6 weeks after the hatch date of course it depends on the animal itself, obviously if there was issues such as the yolk not being fully absorbed or any other issue I would worry sooner.

Make sure your hatching is well hydrated and consider switching to aspen as I mentioned above

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Why aspen? :) Just curious.

They feel the aspen on their sides so they feel more secure!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Quiet Tempest

Why aspen? :) Just curious.

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You'd have to ask the snake why it works ;)

For some reason - that seems to help get reluctant babies to eat. I was about to make the same suggestion.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gavin Cooper

I have only had to assist feed one animal and that was a last resort. Not sure if you are looking for an okay to assist feed or not, but I would give it another week or two.

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No, I would rather not assist feed at all if it can be avoided.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Put your non eater on aspen and wait a week before offering food.

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Thanks for the advice. I went and put them on aspen this morning before I read any of the posts. Glad to hear it was a good decision...lol!