When to assist feed?

So I just picked up a little male calico that has not eaten yet. He was hatched on 9/1/11 and weighed 64 g. He had his 1st shed on 9/16/11. I weighed him today on 9/29/11 and he weighs 63 g. He still looks pretty good. I picked up a picky press just in case because I'm just not gonna let my little calico perish because he is stuborn. I've tried pinkie mice, rats, gerbils, and fuzzies. So when do I become concerned and use the pump? I understand there is some debate on whether or not to use pumps but I dont really care. I would rather he eat on his own but if worse comes to worse when do I assist feed? thanks for any advice.

Have u tried a small live weanlig mouse?

My advice would be to leave the snake alone for three weeks,no food,no holding,no peeking. Then offer a live meal at night time. Some snakes are shy and watchin them eat will cause them to refuse a meal. In my opinion always try to starve them into eating before any assit feeding. assit feeding causes stress.

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Originally Posted by Simplex

Have u tried a small live weanlig mouse?

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Not yet but maybe I will have to try that next.

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Originally Posted by gman8585

My advice would be to leave the snake alone for three weeks,no food,no holding,no peeking. Then offer a live meal at night time. Some snakes are shy and watchin them eat will cause them to refuse a meal. In my opinion always try to starve them into eating before any assit feeding. assit feeding causes stress.

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I generally put him in a separate feeding tub in a hidden area and leave him alone for several hours with the food but it is in the day time. I'll try night time tonight. I agree I would much rather have him eat cause hes hungry than forcing him. I just dont want to wait until hes too weak and its too late.

Pinky Press*

Don't feed him in a different enclosure, that could very well be the issue. I have at least 3 ball pythons that would boycott food forever if I ever thought about moving them. I definitely wouldn't even consider assist feeding until you've tried feeding him in his own enclosure, and try a hopper mouse.

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Originally Posted by Domepiece

Not yet but maybe I will have to try that next.

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Reason i say is i had almost an exact situation.

Lil bp 63 grams would not eat. Refuse refuse refuse. 3 weeks of assist feed. No feeding response at all. I was using ft pinkies and fuzzies just trying to get somethig into him to keep him goin. Then picked up live mice for my others. Had 1 really small one in the bunch. But sub adults. Put it in his tub closed it gave him 2 min alone. Opened the tub and he was wrapped and just begining to loosen off. Insta feed. And now hes a champ. Taking lots of food. Great appetite. 4 small mice in 1.5 weeks.

They can handle bigger food then we think. And if they will take it. LET THEM lol. Ive now decided all my hatchlings will be started on large hoppers or small weanlings. They move more and entice a better response. Ill worry about ft conversion after 150-200 grams

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9/1/11 and weighed 64 g. He had his 1st shed on 9/16/11. I weighed him today on 9/29/11 and he weighs 63 g.

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Now is not the time to think about assisting or pinky pump.

First RELAX, if you don't already have them in a 6 quarts tub, with ASPEN bedding. leave them alone for 5 to 7 days and try offering again, appropriated live mouse. Do not offer food more than every 7 days to those that appear picky.

I usually do not start to worry and think about assist feeding before week 6 to 8 depending on the animal's weight, whether it absorb it's yolk and the general condition.

All the advise is good. check you husbantry make sure everything is absolutely correct (78-82 cool 88-92 warm and ambient (air) 79-85 55-65% humidity) and leave it be. They will not eat if they are do not 'feel' safe and secure, are either too warm or too cold. With those three things the rest typically fall into place.