Trying to figure out a feeding schedule...

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Right and wrong......
Hatchlings can be fed more often because they are trying to grow BUT any snake fed too often is just going to blow it out the other end.
If you weigh your snakes more often you can actually see this happen.
I weigh mine weekly before I feed and when I see an animal pooping every week or two and hovering at the same weight it was a couple weeks ago I know everything going in is also coming right out and is wasted.
When this happens, I cut back on either size or skip a week.

I use to and still do believe in offering till they refuse but not so much once they get around the 700ish gram mark.

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I have to disagree with this line of thought. We know that there are many different factors that can affect the gastrointestinal efficiency in snakes. Level of hydration, fluctuations in barometric pressure, stress levels and varying genetic profiles all play a role in metabolic and digestive capacity and rate.

Also, nothing is 'wasted' when eaten. Anything a snake eats is going to be digested, broken down and have the nutrients absorbed. Even if you stuff a snake full of mice they are all going to be utilized eventually.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Also, nothing is 'wasted' when eaten. Anything a snake eats is going to be digested, broken down and have the nutrients absorbed. Even if you stuff a snake full of mice they are all going to be utilized eventually.

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Point missed......
You can overfeed to the point it is wasted.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Point missed......
You can overfeed to the point it is wasted.

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No. What do you mean by wasted? Are you saying that the extra prey item holds no nutritional value?

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

No. What do you mean by wasted? Are you saying that the extra prey item holds no nutritional value?

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I am saying crap out the back or fat in the middle....... either is waste so yes.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I am saying crap out the back of fat in the middle....... either is waste so yes.

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Uh what?

Was trying to edit my typo and got side tracked.
Either way I'm done bickering with you.

Ok? Point is that not seeing a weight gain after feeding a baby bp doesn't mean the feeder is wasted. Not all digested matter is deposited as fat stores, or will result in weight gain. In a young animal organ systems are dynamically growing and changing, which require an incredible amount of amino acids, sugars and fats to proceed.

We we also know that growth of multicellular organisms very rarely takes a linear approach. Using an animals weight, or defecation rate to dictate a feeding schedule is just plain wrong.

Im not bickering at all. I was under the impression that the forum was a place where we could have debates and share information.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

We we also know that growth of multicellular organisms very rarely takes a linear approach. Using an animals weight, or defecation rate to dictate a feeding schedule is just plain wrong.

Im not bickering at all. I was under the impression that the forum was a place where we could have debates and share information.

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Okay then sir.... School me on your schedule for your animals and your reasoning behind why you do what you do.

thanks for all the advice gang...this really helps!

For BPs I feed one appropriately sized food item once a week, regardless of age or if they have defecated. Simple stuff here. No need to weigh feeders or wait for defecation.

I normally play it by ear with adults. If an adult has a larger food item one week, and looks to be going into shed I will wait another week before feeding again. If it gets to the 10 day mark and the adult bp seems to be looking for food I will feed again at that time.

Once I get a bp on a rhythm with eating I like to keep them going. They seem to be able to anticipate feeding day even before the rats come out.