"Power Feeding"

So I hear this term a lot but am not really sure what it entails.

I've heard a few people mention that it's not a good idea and that it can lead to an overweight snake or cause them to go on eating strikes more often since the snake would feel too full after a while.

I'm not planning on power feeding I'm just curious about what exactly it is and what are people's thoughts on it.

Is it feeding your snake right after every bowel movement? Feeding every XX amount of days? Etc

It usually refers to feeding larger than normal prey more often. Normally people offer an appropriate sized prey every 7 days. Power feeding would be getting a slightly larger prey and feeding it every 2-4 days. It gives them just enough time to digest before eating again. It can lead to overweight problems, which is why it's generally healthier to just feed an appropriate sized meal every 7 days or so. :)

Just out of curiosity, what would happen if you fed them an appropriate sized meal every 6 days? I have been feeding every 7 days but Im just wondering.

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Originally Posted by mattchibi

Just out of curiosity, what would happen if you fed them an appropriate sized meal every 6 days? I have been feeding every 7 days but Im just wondering.

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I doubt it would actually do any harm to feed every 6 days but it is much easier I would think to just have 1 set feeding day to prevent human error.

I feed my babies every 5 days up to about 500 grams, so it won't do anything drastic :)

Many people feed younger snakes every four to five days. Power feeding I believe is when you feed and before the snake swallows all the way you stick another rat in it mouth.

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Originally Posted by LotsaBalls

Many people feed younger snakes every four to five days. Power feeding I believe is when you feed and before the snake swallows all the way you stick another rat in it mouth.

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That makes sense too, maybe my idea of power feeding is off... :confused:

Isnt power feeding just any way of making your snake eat more than it should for its size? I'm sure there are many ways to power feed. I know my girl would just keep eating if I put it infront of her especially because she eats live. So Im sure you could just feed one after the other to some snakes while they are still in feeding mode. Or just feed every couple of days. Either way, overfeeding or power feeding is not good for any animal or human for that matter.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I feed my babies every 5 days up to about 500 grams, so it won't do anything drastic :)

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Same here. Breeding females are also put on a 5 day schedule.

I would consider power feeding to be any form of excessive feeding, whether it is feeding too often or too large of prey items on a regular basis. As a general rule it is recommended to feed your ball pythons 10-15% of their body weight every 5 days until they hit 500 grams (although some do it for their first year) and then move them onto a 7 day schedule.

I do what some would consider power feeding but i feed normal/appropriate sized prey item every 2-3 days for most of my young ones(if they are willing). As they get up to about 600-700grams i bring it to 4-5 days and at 1k+ every 6-7. Unless its a female of age near breeding season then i would go back to the 4-5 day cycle just to get a little more weight on her.