Any assist feeding tips?

I have a female that hasn't eaten since january, in that time she laid a clutch of eggs. I wasn't too worried because she was gravid and a good size but I was expecting her to eat after she laid her eggs. The eggs are almost done incubating and she hasn't touched food yet. On top of that she is looking bad, the eggs took alot out of her.

I have decided I am going to attempt assist feeding soon, I know its frowned upon unless really necessary but I believe in this case it is necessary.

I get the basic idea but I am open to any suggestions/tips so I am not playing with trial and error. I would prefer to do it properly the first time to prevent any unnecessary stress. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post the details here.

Thanks for any help you can give no matter how small or big.

Richard

I've only assist fed a few babies, I dont think ever an adult. I know with the babies, you need to make time for it because those suckers like to spit their food back atcha a few times. Then they will just sit there, with it in their mouth, fooooreever. And then this thing happens that I keep hearing about - instinct kicks in and they swallow their food!

So, I dont know if she will spit at you a few times, but be prepared that it might happen and to not give up right away. Obviously don't stress her out for hours trying to get her to eat it, but dont get discouraged too quickly either.

How is she housed, at what temps, hides(if any), did you wash her with soapy water as well as her tub after she laid eggs, what are you trying to feed her and how often?

If she's in a 41qt tub or a tank, try a 32qt tub. Get the temps up to 93-94 warm side and 83-84 cool side, normal humidity. Give her a hide if she doesn't have one already. Make sure you wash her if you haven't done so. A drop or two of Dawn or Palmolive in a dish washing pan with some lukewarm water works well. Make sure her tub and everything was well washed(actually washed, not just sprayed and wiped out).

If you're trying to give her larger rats, try a mouse or a rat pup. Something smaller and less intimidating may be what she needs.

Hi,

What was she eating before (mice/ rats... Live/ F/T)? - also try different types of prey.

Assist feeding a large ball python isn't going to be stress free for either of you even if everything goes as well as it can. :(

It might be an idea to have two people there.


dr del

She is in a 32qt tub, she has a snug hide (brand new one) I also gave her a brand new tub, she was washed down with dawn dish soap, I also put her in a different spot in a brand new rack to be sure no egg smells were missed.

She spends most of her time in the hide. My last feeding she actually looked like she was going to strike but got scared and darted away..

Warm side temps are 94 (belly heat) and cold side is at 80 in a heated snake room.

she was taking p/k and f/t med rats before she stopped eating.

I think i will try a live rat pup possibly scented with chicken broth for the next feed. It never occured to me to try tiny meals.

I have experince with trouble feeders but not this bad.

Richard

maybe time for an asf? :confused:

Give her a Mouse.

Thanks for all the suggestions and concerns!

I am afraid I am running out of time on this girl but I will try a few more attempts before I assist her. I would be heart broken if she didn't recover as she is one of the girls that started my collection and my first ever to produce eggs.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to get her mouth open for assist feeding? i guess thats probably going to be the hardest part.?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Somed00d

Thanks for all the suggestions and concerns!

I am afraid I am running out of time on this girl but I will try a few more attempts before I assist her. I would be heart broken if she didn't recover as she is one of the girls that started my collection and my first ever to produce eggs.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to get her mouth open for assist feeding? i guess thats probably going to be the hardest part.?

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Q-tip I've heard works the best. Good Luck! :salute:

I'm not suggesting that you should assist her before you try everything else but what I did when I assisted one female was that I killed a fuzzie rat and gently opend her mouth with the rats nose. I put the rat in her mouth and closed her jaws by gently pushing them together. Then I did just a little pull in the rat so it got stuck in her teeth and steped aside. She ate the rat and has been eatning every week since...

Good luck!