poll question for hatchlings

Ok just wondering since its the best time of the year for us ball python keepers with the new babies and morphs being produced makes me wonder which first food you like to offer first when your babies have there first shed and are separated. Do you like Rat crawlers first or mouse hoppers? And, do you feed right away after first shed or do you like to wait a week?



Lance

I've had the best luck with mouse hoppers. Last year, the one clutch I had actually all started on f/t mouse hoppers. Started offering a week after the first shed, two babies took immediately, two the next feeding, and the remaining two as soon as I switched them from newspaper to aspen. All six had RB hide boxes, if that helps.

Normally I'd start them on ASF hoppers because they take them right away. Sometimes before first shed. Then they'd go to rat crawlers immediately. This year though, my ASFs are not producing well so I've had to start everyone on rats. It took a couple weeks after shed but eventually they all took. I prefer using the ASFs because they start eating much faster but rats will work with some patience.

I start mine on ASfs right away and then switch over to rats after the 3rd feeding

I always go with rats first. Mouse hoppers for the hold-outs who are being stubborn, but once they get going it's straight to rats! I usually don't bother with trying to feed before their first shed as it's usually only a few days after hatching that they're already going into shed mode...but if you can get them going before then, all the better...:)

ASF folks: Any problems switching to rats? Do you find some that get "hooked" on ASF's? - Thanks!

When I used ASF's I never had problems switching.

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I vote that you really like the word "First"!

Rat pups for me.

Hatchlings will always switch from ASFs to rats right away. At that age they are too young for it to be a problem. Once they eat it gets their hunger, and feeding response kicked in so they'll take just about anything offered after a couple meals. Using ASFs just starts them faster. Much like mice, but many of us won't breed mice because they smell so bad. ASF are easier to keep because of this. Huge litters too.