Powerfeeding

I know I tend to feed a tad conservatively compared to some, but I'm not in any huge hurry to breed, so I'm ok if my snakes are a tad smaller.

On another note, the pin-head thing, I don't think this occurs only when 'power feeding'. I read somewhere (I'll post the link if I can find it...it actually wasn't a very good study) that when a snake went without food (not going off food, but wasn't offered/there wasn't any available) that their heads grew more than a snake that ate regularly. They concluded that that larger head size allowed a hungry snake to take a larger variety of prey. Which makes sense to me... if a snake couldn't eat the smallest prey available, then something would have to change, and since they don't have the food or nutrients to grow larger, a larger head would also allow them to take larger, and possibly more available prey.

But the pin head I believe can occur when a baby is feed very frequently. Not 'power feeding' per se, but on a schedule that allows it to grow very rapidly. Snakes are designed to grow at a certain rate, and on a certain amount of food. No one knows what rate or amount that is, minus our best guesses. However, to me, a snake who's body has grown faster than it's head is growing too fast. Their heads grow according to their genetic make up... a snake can get fat, but you can't make their heads bigger than they are intended to be.

***I don't think that a snake that has a 'pin head' is necessarily fat. Since snakes are ambush hunters and eat when given the opportunity, it seems to me that they could take a short period of time of excess food and not become overly fatty. The pin head condition seems to be a snake who is on the path to getting fat... They aren't now, but if they were to continue on the same feeding schedule then their body wouldn't be able to handle the excess food for much longer and it would start becoming extra fat. ***

Just an observation... I was looking at a big breeders 'available' page and noticed that a very nice hatching looked to have a 'pin head'. Now I trust this breeder, but were I to buy an animal from them, I would feed on a slower schedule, b/c the pin head condition tells me that their body is growing faster than what nature intended it to....whether it was 'power fed' or not.

I have no study or scientific proof of this. But during the growth of a young ball python, hatchling to 1000-1500 grams, I highly dought this has an effect on lifespan or overall health. I would say after 1500 grams is when you can make your snake "obese" im not saying a 2400g ball is obese, theres definitely a difference between 2400 grams of solid healthy snake and a 2400 gram fattie.

just my 2 cents

two cents: you may get an animal to "breeding size" - doesn't mean they are sexually mature..........

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Originally Posted by DrLew

two cents: you may get an animal to "breeding size" - doesn't mean they are sexually mature..........

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By the same token, we all know that animals can be undersized for safe breeding, but sexually mature as well.

Keep both in mind, this is why we have suggested breeding sizes/ages that usually imply both safe breeding and sexual maturity

The thing is, snakes that went without food grew larger heads...regardless of their age, if I'm not mistaken.

So, theoretically, one could correct pinhead syndrome by regularly fasting the snake until its head caught up with its body.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

The thing is, snakes that went without food grew larger heads...regardless of their age, if I'm not mistaken.

So, theoretically, one could correct pinhead syndrome by regularly fasting the snake until its head caught up with its body.

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Some snakes have better feeding responses than others. I personally do a 4 to 5 day feeding schedule for hatchlings. The better feeding responses get every 4 days the slower get every 5. I had a female last season who hatched in april, go on to never miss a meal until breeding season and went off feed in november. She was at 904g in 7 months. She was very well proportioned, no 'pin head' and not too plump. She was the perfect hatchling.

Based upon growth and proportion some would say I fed her at a perfect interval while others would say I overfed her. Its all a matter of circumstance and individual animals. Not every animal can grow like that, nor do I force meals on my animals.

I think ppl who powerfeed are rushing growth nd do just fatten up snakes in a non healthy way. People do this to make a quick buck which can hurt them and their snakes in the longrun.

I have a pastel that's 2 years old now, and she's over 1500 grams. She's gorgeous, her proportions look great. She's been on a 5 to 7 day feeding schedule, and she went through her 'threshold' fasting period February through May this spring--didn't eat a thing for 4 months.

Her mother is a 5 ft 3500 + gram female. I am going to try to breed her this year, as she'll be well over the safe weight, and I feel she has the bulk and appetite to handle it (she'll be a lot bigger by then, too). I'm hoping she's going to be a great big girl just like her mom.

I thought powerfeeding was forcing chicken/other kinds of meet down the snake throat, after it willingly eats a rat(or whatever kind of feeder).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lrz6...eature=related

This here is power feeding.

What you guys are talking about is feeding until full?

Or am I wrong?