Trying to get mom that laid eggs to eat

Basicially what the title says. She laid her eggs 2 weeks ago, and she still hasn't taken a meal. I've only been offering f/t because I don't know how strong she is after the whole birthing process, should I maybe try a live one? How long does it typically take for them to regain their appetite?

i fed mines a 50g live rat yerterday (almost a week after laying), she took it, no problem, so just try a smaller live meal.

I would feed her whatever you were feeding before, and if you were feeding frozen thawed before, live might do the trick.

Have you cleaned the tub out completely and washed her off to get rid of the smell of eggs? If not you should try that. I would also offer the same type of food she was eating before.

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Originally Posted by jason79

Have you cleaned the tub out completely and washed her off to get rid of the smell of eggs? If not you should try that. I would also offer the same type of food she was eating before.

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I did clean the entire tub out, and gave her a bath as well. She doesn't seem to be in mother mode anymore but seems private and to herself. But at night when I open the tub she seems like shes ready to chew someones arm off, but won't strike the f/t so I'm wondering if shes just not getting it for some reason. I'm going to try a small live rat and see what happens.
This has actually happened to me before but with my male pastel. He was eating f.t for a while and then suddenly stopped. I kept trying but nothing would happen, then I offered live and he gobbled it right up, and after that meal ate f.t every single time no questions asked. Sometimes I think they just need a live one to stimulate their appetite in a certain way. Have any of you noticed this as well?

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Originally Posted by jben

i fed mines a 50g live rat yerterday (almost a week after laying), she took it, no problem, so just try a smaller live meal.

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Hey j/w but did she eat f/t prior to this feeding? Or did she always take live?

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

This has actually happened to me before but with my male pastel. He was eating f.t for a while and then suddenly stopped. I kept trying but nothing would happen, then I offered live and he gobbled it right up, and after that meal ate f.t every single time no questions asked. Sometimes I think they just need a live one to stimulate their appetite in a certain way. Have any of you noticed this as well?

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Yep. Plenty of times. I actually don't bother offering FT to snakes that have been off feed for a while--I give them live, and if they're on FT, they get that for their 2nd or 3rd meal after the fast breaks. That way, I don't waste any of my FT rodents, lol.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Yep. Plenty of times. I actually don't bother offering FT to snakes that have been off feed for a while--I give them live, and if they're on FT, they get that for their 2nd or 3rd meal after the fast breaks. That way, I don't waste any of my FT rodents, lol.

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Haha yes that keeps happening to me and its driving me nuts!!!!

Good to know that this is normal lol

I'm gonna go get some later on and see what happens I'll laugh soo hard if they all eat :P

BUT, still wondering typically how long it takes for them to start eating once they lay. Do most start eating immediately or is there usually a little time span where they don't?

For my first girl of the season I totally switched the tub out for another one and washed her, then waited 2 weeks, then offered a live mouse. She took that and then had a great response to a medium f/t rat. Some will eat right away and some will wait until the next shed.

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

BUT, still wondering typically how long it takes for them to start eating once they lay. Do most start eating immediately or is there usually a little time span where they don't?

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Some do, some don't. I had one lay eggs a couple years ago that didn't go back on food for about a month after she laid. Every other girl has eaten within a week of laying.

my het pied ate the same day she laid and i had not even cleanthe cage at the time i had to go get some bleach and scrub it down

Alright cool. As the days progress its seeming like shes going back to her old self so hopefully a nice live one get her juices flowing again.

Another thing. Are there any really good ways to absolutely know that there pregnant? I have 2 others that are in question right now in terms of laying. They seem to be bloated but then I wonder if I'm just reading too hard into everything and its just a fat snake lol. They both had their pre-lay so it should be soon. The suspense is killing me!!

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

Alright cool. As the days progress its seeming like shes going back to her old self so hopefully a nice live one get her juices flowing again.

Another thing. Are there any really good ways to absolutely know that there pregnant? I have 2 others that are in question right now in terms of laying. They seem to be bloated but then I wonder if I'm just reading too hard into everything and its just a fat snake lol. They both had their pre-lay so it should be soon. The suspense is killing me!!

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Glad to hear she's getting back to norm for you. :)

I think palpating is a good means of determining whether they are gravid. If you know what you feeling for, you can get an idea of where the female is terms of "building" and whether or not she has ovulated.

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Originally Posted by Quiet Tempest

Glad to hear she's getting back to norm for you. :)

I think palpating is a good means of determining whether they are gravid. If you know what you feeling for, you can get an idea of where the female is terms of "building" and whether or not she has ovulated.

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I do palpate but I don't know if what I'm feeling is eggs or just fatness lol. My one big girl really does seem quite bloated but my other is hard to tell, but I did catch her basking weird the other day so we shall see. This is my first breeding season so I'm still getting to know what I am looking for. Finger crossed though, three clutches of pastels would be soooo amazing!! :banana:

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Originally Posted by Animals As Leaders

Hey j/w but did she eat f/t prior to this feeding? Or did she always take live?

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My female is a live eater, she will not even look at a F/T.

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Originally Posted by jben

My female is a live eater, she will not even look at a F/T.

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A lot of mine were and I was convinced that I was going to have to find a way to get the right sized rodent every week. But! I was able to get them all to eat f.t at one point. Now I just gotta get them back to that. I feel like I can trick them by throwing a couple live ones in and then offering a f.t the week after lol It worked for me, but I know some are harder then other to convert.

I never try to feed a female after she lays until she sheds. usually a week later. i know they can and will eat but to me it just seems to work. also always try to palpate after they lay. could have 1 stuck and that would not be good.

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Originally Posted by gangsta

I never try to feed a female after she lays until she sheds. usually a week later. i know they can and will eat but to me it just seems to work. also always try to palpate after they lay. could have 1 stuck and that would not be good.

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Yeah I did do that just because she looked sooo empty after she laid and I had to feel her, and she was for sure empty. That seems like a good way to do it just so theres no worrying either. Good to know theres no set time.

I've had luck offering something both live and significantly smaller than what is usually offered (large mouse rather than a medium sized rat, for instance) when I have a stubborn feeder. It usually helps to kickstart their appetite.

YAY SHE ATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :taz:

I threw a live on in and it was like something turned on inside her and she pounded it!