What is considered power feeding?

I know this has been asked a few times, but what is considered power feeding? And what is "healthy" feeding?

Here is what I am doing at the moment:

Hatchlings: Fed 10% of body weight every 4-5 days. I try to feed every 4 days but sometimes I get lazy and I wait until the 5th day. I remember somebody saying that this was considered an acceptable amount to feed a hatchling. Can I up the size of the meal or feed even more regularly without it being considered "power-feeding"?

Adults: Fed 10% of body weight every 7 days

At what point does a hatchling become a juvenile and need to start being fed every 7 days, rather than more frequently?

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Originally Posted by mattchibi

I know this has been asked a few times, but what is considered power feeding? And what is "healthy" feeding?

Here is what I am doing at the moment:

Hatchlings: Fed 10% of body weight every 4-5 days. I try to feed every 4 days but sometimes I get lazy and I wait until the 5th day. I remember somebody saying that this was considered an acceptable amount to feed a hatchling. Can I up the size of the meal or feed even more regularly without it being considered "power-feeding"?

Adults: Fed 10% of body weight every 7 days

At what point does a hatchling become a juvenile and need to start being fed every 7 days, rather than more frequently?

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I think "power feeding" is shoving another food item into their mouth as they're finishing the first item, making them eat more than they normally would on their own.

The general rule of thumb is 10-15% of body weight no matter whether it's a hatchling, juvenile, or adult. Feed every 4-5 days for hatchlings, then every 7 for juvies, then every 7-10 days for adults. There are, of course, variations and exceptions to every rule. :gj:

I would consider a baby no longer a hatchling and now a juvenile at about 4-6 months of age, depending on body weight. I think they're ready to start feeding every 7 days once they hit about 200 grams +/-.

Power feeding is feeding larger meals more frequently than recommended over a significant length of time (generally longer than a month) to get a BP to grow faster and larger than nature intended. Power feeding is NOT a good idea. Your BP will be happier and healthier if you stick to 10-15% of its body weight no more frequently than recommended. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Salamander

I think "power feeding" is shoving another food item into their mouth as they're finishing the first item, making them eat more than they normally would on their own.

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This is a method of power feeding, but one could power feed without doing this as well..... In addition, Matt, I do not consider what you are currently doing as power feeding. You could up your hatchling's prey size to 15% of its body weight, but I would go every 5 days if you do that. I would NOT feed more frequently than you are now.

Hope all that didn't sound too convoluted..... ;)

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

The general rule of thumb is 10-15% of body weight no matter whether it's a hatchling, juvenile, or adult. Feed every 4-5 days for hatchlings, then every 7 for juvies, then every 7-10 days for adults. There are, of course, variations and exceptions to every rule. :gj:

I would consider a baby no longer a hatchling and now a juvenile at about 4-6 months of age, depending on body weight. I think they're ready to start feeding every 7 days once they hit about 200 grams +/-.

Power feeding is feeding larger meals more frequently than recommended over a significant length of time (generally longer than a month) to get a BP to grow faster and larger than nature intended. Power feeding is NOT a good idea. Your BP will be happier and healthier if you stick to 10-15% of its body weight no more frequently than recommended. :gj:

I do not consider what you're currently doing as power feeding. You could up your hatchling's prey size to 15% of its body weight, but I would go every 5 days if you do that. I would NOT feed more frequently than you are now.

Hope all that didn't sound too convoluted..... ;)

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x2

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Originally Posted by Salamander

I think "power feeding" is shoving another food item into their mouth as they're finishing the first item, making them eat more than they normally would on their own.

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IMO this is power feeding. The animal is forced to eat more than it normally would.

You could ( I don't reccomend it) feed every other day and I would still not consider that power feeding. Just feeding heavily as the animal is eating on its own free will. Power feeding doesn't give the animal an option.

Your probably going to get various opinions as to what it means because it is all a matter of opinion:)

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Originally Posted by Salamander

I think "power feeding" is shoving another food item into their mouth as they're finishing the first item, making them eat more than they normally would on their own.

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This! :gj: I'm not sure when exactly the idea that letting them eat as much as they want got into people's heads as being power feeding, but I've always known it to be defined by forcing the snake to eat more than it would on its own.

I see it as either forcing a snake to eat more than it wants or feeding a snake too often. Just because a snake will take the food doesn't make the long term effects any different. Look at morbidly obese humans. They choose to eat too much and don't exercise enough. They will have health problems due to eating to much even though they chose to eat. Snakes aren't any different.

I agree with all the people about forcing. You can't apply human functions and dysfunctions to animals.

My snakes determine when they want to eat. Some eat 3-4 days. Some are 5. Some are 7... and so on. I breed my own food so I can offer whenever I like to. I know my snakes and I know their body language so I can almost always tell within a moment or two if my snakes are going to eat. All of my snakes will take a break if they don't want to eat. I think some of this stuff is totally just parroted around from forum to forum.

Regards,

B

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I see it as either forcing a snake to eat more than it wants or feeding a snake too often. Just because a snake will take the food doesn't make the long term effects any different. Look at morbidly obese humans. They choose to eat too much and don't exercise enough. They will have health problems due to eating to much even though they chose to eat. Snakes aren't any different.

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I agree, power feeding isn't always force feeding. There are some snakes, like corns, that would happily eat themselves into obesity if given the chance.

I agree with a lot that is stated above but at the same time I feel that every snake is different like a human metabolism. Some can eat more than others of the same size IMO. But it comes down to you the owner and recognizing if your snake is becoming obese or overweight. It doesn't happen in just 1 or 2 feedings. It comes down to your own heart and taking the time to care if your snake is healthy or not and take he time to know if it is overweight. I understand that some people want their snakes to get big to show off or for breeding purposes in a female. But I still say 15% body weight feed and my girl grows like a champ. So I feel if you can't take the time for a snake to mature properly and healthy regarless if you want to be a show off or get that clutch then you are unfit to own these animals. Love for an animal comes first and the rewards of that animal whatever they may be to you are just a plus. You should know if your feeding too much or your snake looks overwieght for the size. Its up to all of us as owners to use our love for these animals in determining what is best for each individual animal. But the 10-15% rule I known by everyone on this forum. And the time frame depends on the age and size of the snake. As stated above. So opinions will always vary but in the end its up to you to be the best advocate for your snake and its health.