Hatchling Non-Eaters

I bought a trio of hatchlings a few weeks ago. According to the breeder they had all fed at least three times on pinkies. Since I bought them, two have refused to eat. The third has moved on to larger weaned ASF’s. I am running out of ideas with the two problem feeders…I’ve tried moving them to smaller tubs, covering their tubs, and leaving the pinkies in over-night. Each has their own tub and the temps are at a constant 90°, and I’m thinking force feeding is the next step. I've watched them a couple times when the pinkies are in the tubs with them and anytime the pinky touches the snakes they kinda flick their body to push the rodent away. I’m just worried because they are so small to begin with I don’t like them missing meals. Any ideas from anyone about what I can do to get them to eat?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rije682

I bought a trio of hatchlings a few weeks ago. According to the breeder they had all fed at least three times on pinkies. Since I bought them, two have refused to eat. The third has moved on to larger weaned ASF’s. I am running out of ideas with the two problem feeders…I’ve tried moving them to smaller tubs, covering their tubs, and leaving the pinkies in over-night. Each has their own tub and the temps are at a constant 90°, and I’m thinking force feeding is the next step. I've watched them a couple times when the pinkies are in the tubs with them and anytime the pinky touches the snakes they kinda flick their body to push the rodent away. I’m just worried because they are so small to begin with I don’t like them missing meals. Any ideas from anyone about what I can do to get them to eat?

---

Are you feeding them the exact thing the breeder was feeding them? If not thats the problem.You are also not giving them time to get stress free.To many feeding attempts or moving from tub to tub will make them stressed out

Try a live hopper mouse at night. Stick it in the tub and come back in half an hour. I bet it will be gone.

What kind of pinks are you feeding them? Rats or mice?
Also what was the breeder feeding them?

Pinks are really on the small side. I would go with small fuzzy rats.

Do not remove their hide--leave them under it, and disturb them as little as possible. If they don't have a hide, that's the problem.

Put the fuzzy in at night, at least a half hour after lights out, and leave it there for at least 3 hours (or overnight).
Wait 3 days between attempts.
If they were all eating pinky rats, then they will eat pinky/fuzzy rats for you--do not try anything else at this point. Balls don't care for switching food items most of the time.

If that doesn't work in a week, fill the bin with crumpled paper, wait 2 days, and try again the same way.

If that doesn't work, come back and complain to us, and we'll have more suggestions. ;)

yea u gotta quit moving them around thats the first problem and go with what the breeder was feeding good luck

pinky mice, the hatchling sometimes won't see this as food. too small, I had hatchling that wouldn't feed and I up the size a little and bam.

also you don't want to force feed, assist feeding works well in most cases. but give the hatchlings a chance on their own first. I wait 30 days after the first shed on a hatchling that weighs 55 grams or greater. and I had them eat on day 30 by themselves. so give them some time don't panic, assist feeding is also stressful on them, use it only when needed.

Ok, taking your suggestions into consideration, I need to keep the snake in their same tube, leave the hide in, and feed the same thing as the breeder was feeding them. I breed ASF’s, but because the breeder told me he used mice pinks I’ll go out and buy some and try to use those. Thanks, I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

I had the same problem when I brought my hatchling home, tried pinkys...Nothing...Small mice, from Strike, to Swallowed..less then 5 minutes....

Give it a shot..Hope that helps.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rije682

Ok, taking your suggestions into consideration, I need to keep the snake in their same tube, leave the hide in, and feed the same thing as the breeder was feeding them. I breed ASF’s, but because the breeder told me he used mice pinks I’ll go out and buy some and try to use those. Thanks, I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

---

There is absolutely no reason to ever feed a ball python a pinky mouse. Just buy some mouse hoppers. They can eat those easily right out of the egg. I usualy start mine on small adult mice or rat fuzzies.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rije682

Ok, taking your suggestions into consideration, I need to keep the snake in their same tube, leave the hide in, and feed the same thing as the breeder was feeding them. I breed ASF’s, but because the breeder told me he used mice pinks I’ll go out and buy some and try to use those. Thanks, I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

---

mice pinks are to small try hopper mice, maybe fuzzy mice.

I was thinking the same thing but thats what he(the breeder) said he fed them, I'll upgrade though, mouse hoppers it is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rije682

I was thinking the same thing but thats what he(the breeder) said he fed them, I'll upgrade though, mouse hoppers it is.

---

Could he have meant pinky rats? That I could see. But I like hopper mice best. They hop around and that gets the snakes feeding response going.

Well I bought a couple mouse hoppers and had no luck with feeding them. One of the babies died and over a week later and the second is still refusing food.

I'm so sorry for your loss. If they aren't eating, and dieing then I would sure be trying to assist feed. It's not the best resort, but if it's all you can do, then do it. There are video's on YouTube and most vets will show you how to do it if you can find a good herp vet in your area.

Get something in it's stomach before it passes away. Are you weighing her, to keep track of how much she is loosing?

Very odd, I cannot imagine any breeder starting ball pythons on pinky mice. Something sounds fishy, there.

Pinky rats would be the smallest thing i would offer. Unless they were twins then I could see offering a little smaller. I would be a little cautious buying hatchlings that small anyway. The stress of going to a new cage and the ride and everything else will take a toll on hatchlings. I wouldn't buy anyhting that hasn't eaten atleast 6 times. Just my personal rule and a rule that a lot of breeders I know follow also. I am soory for your loss. I would definately be trying to assist feed thte other little one.

Thanks, I've never gotten anything this small before either. The breeder assured me that they had all had multiple meals with no problems. Having said that I have learned my lesson and will not be buying anything this small ever again.

All the 'wait until next week' advice does NOT apply to such tiny hatchlings. It's very important to get them feeding within 2 weeks of bringing them home (or sooner, depending on their condition), or assisting is necessary.

I wait 2 to 3 days between feeding attempts with small ones. Assist-feeding has had a good track record for me--done properly, it can get most hatchlings eating on their own after one or two assist-feeds. Never force feed, and always be aware of how delicate the babies are--avoid breaking teeth, or using too much pressure which may tear the throat lining when you put the pinky rat in the back of their mouth.

I do send hatchlings out after 3 feedings, but I feed my hatchlings rapid-fire, every other day or every 3 days, when I start them--so they're bulky. :) You would be absolutely amazed by how fast they grow on this schedule. I believe it's better to feed hatchlings up as often as they'll eat for the first month or two, to get some bulk on them so they can withstand stresses and short fasting periods.

It's possible the hatchlings you bought DID eat multiple meals with no problem. But, what were they eating, and how often? In a brand new place, how much reserve did they have to draw on while they get used to it?