So my female pastel (who's 950g now) went on a 6 week hunger strike during some of April and May. She finally ate the past couple weeks. I breed my own ASFs for feeding and my production has fallen behind which has resulted in smaller than desirable rats for my girl. The last 2 feedings, I've given her the largest rat in the grow up tub which was about a 50g. So she should theoretically be hungry if I feed her once every 7 days an undersized ASF.
Tonight, I go to feed her for the third time since the 6 week hunger strike ended.... She sees the ASF and her senses look very keen and alert. She's in the coiled position ready to strike as the rat and her are face to face about an inch apart. She's breathing heavy and excited as she normally does once she spots the intruder in her tub. For 10 freaking minutes, the rat and her sit nose to nose not moving a freaking muscle. The rat is just sitting there, crapping himself. After about 7 minutes of waiting, she slowly creeps closer to the point that her tongue is touching the rats ear when she flicks it. NOTHING HAPPENS. The rat finally gets his courage up to walk away and that's it.
I tried to bump him closer to her just to see one more time. And again nothing. I took the rat away and she retreats to her hide.
She's a pain. She used to be a garbage machine with these ASFs but recently they don't move when they get close to her and she doesn't strike.
I don't get it. My husbandry is spot on. She absolutely pays no attention to F/T so I feed her live ASFs. She's been a pig in the past. Then all of a sudden in late spring she goes on strike and has been picky ever since. :confused::confused::confused:
