I guess 5 outta 6 aint bad .... hatchlings first feedings

I offered my clutch their first feeding tonight. 5 of the 6 took their hopper after they got tired of it running around their tub (4 or 5 minutes) and one did not eat ... I sat there and gave him about 45 minutes before I gave up. It didn't seem to stress him out, he could have cared less it was even in there with him. A few times he locked onto it (visually) and I thought he was about to take it but then he just turned and explored the other way. How long should I wait before offering it to him again 2 or 3 days?

Congrats!

I typically wait five days inbetween feedings. Offering to often has the potential to stress the animal out.

I would not offer sooner than 5 days from now min, if you offer to soon too often it will only lead to refusal.

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congratulation !

i usually wait for 5-7 days

What is best to feed the hopper in the mean time? I assume hoppers are no longer nursing as they have teeth right? I currently have the lone survivor set up in aspen shavings with a little water dish but not sure on food ... a few peices of dog food possibly?

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Originally Posted by T_Sauer

What is best to feed the hopper in the mean time? I assume hoppers are no longer nursing as they have teeth right? I currently have the lone survivor set up in aspen shavings with a little water dish but not sure on food ... a few peices of dog food possibly?

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you only need to think of what mice eat when they get into your house lol they can survive on anything but water is most important as they dehydrate very fast...so dog food is great i use dry pasta as that is a grain base, and i toss in some wheat or what ever grain i have handy, they last forever as long as they are hydrated stinky buggars...

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Originally Posted by T_Sauer

What is best to feed the hopper in the mean time? I assume hoppers are no longer nursing as they have teeth right? I currently have the lone survivor set up in aspen shavings with a little water dish but not sure on food ... a few paces of dog food possibly?

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Hopper still do nurse, and they also start eating solid food try offering some dog food kibbles with cheerios. It may or may not make it depends if it is close to be weaned to start with.

If you don't think it will thrive, you can always dispatch it using cervical dislocation and then freeze it to be used later. It could be used when you are trying to convert an animal to FT, if in fact you ever feed in that manner.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Hopper still do nurse, and they also start eating solid food try offering some dog food kibbles with cheerios. It may or may not make it depends if it is close to be weaned to start with.

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Thanks Deborah, I thought that Hoppers were still at the nursing but then was confused at the fact that it had teeth, none the less it seems to be content with the few pieces of dog food I tossed in there, (I fell asleep to the sound of little teeth at work and it was also the first thing I heard when I woke up LOL) I'll am going to toss a couple cheerios in today so it has a little variety in diet :gj:

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

If you don't think it will thrive, you can always dispatch it using cervical dislocation and then freeze it to be used later. It could be used when you are trying to convert an animal to FT, if in fact you ever feed in that manner.

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I had considered this method at the get go because I was unsure it would survive do to A.) Will I be able to get it to eat and B.) Getting stressed because it had no siblings and nothing to interact or huddle with, which would lead back to A.) Not eating ..... The option for dispatch is still on the table, but as long as it continues to eat and remain healthy and alert, it will make it alive to next weeks dinner date with the hatchlings :gj: