New babies not eating...

New babies wont eat....its been 18 days for the first one out and around 14 days for the other ones...how long can they go before assist feeding....

What are you offering them? While I've never bred myself, I believe most people jump start the feeding response with live mice hoppers.

First time hoppers second time little rat fuzzys...

When did they have their first shed? What are you keeping them in?

They wont eat until they shed first which can be 7-10 days or more at times. After they shed they should be separated individually in a small shoe box tub with hide and water bowl and settle in, then they will be ready to feed. 14 days from hatch date is nothing. That is around when they should be ready to start, you have another month before it gets serious, be patient;)

And I think you should try mouse hoppers ;) again! Thats what all of mine eat ........eventually :rolleyes:

Thanks.. its been around a week since they shed......for one its been 12 days he came out early...they are in they own 6qt tubs...

I would keep offering until they start to look thin, then consider assist feeding. I leave mine in the incubator until they have all shed, then they go in their own tubs in the rack, and I offer the next day. Last year 10 out of 12 ate the very first time.

They could still be absorbing the egg yolks, meaning they wouldnt be hungry. As others have said try waiting a little longer.:gj:

Try weanling mice that works for me, always.:gj:

I had a real slow starter last year. I waited 4 weeks after offering her first meal, about 5 days after first shed, and then assist fed. It took 2 more assists 4 weeks apart from each other till she started eating on her own.

Seems that the reluctant starters go for the movement of hopper mice or ASF's over the inactivity of a rat fuzzy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike41793

They could still be absorbing the egg yolks, meaning they wouldnt be hungry. As others have said try waiting a little longer.:gj:

---

I think this could of been what happened with mine. Waited for them to shed out and then offered them both hoppers. Both did not feed. Waited probably two more weeks and offered hoppers again. One took it the other did not. So I gave the second hopper to the one that did. Next day I tried a rat fuzzy/crawler and the one took it.

6qt tubs, no hides or anything. Guessing they will be strong feeders.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike41793

They could still be absorbing the egg yolks

---

Yolk is absorbed in the final days of incubation and when hatchlings emerged out of their eggs the yolk is fully absorbed.


PATIENCE

I have hatchlings that have hatched a 5 weeks ago and have not taken a meal yet.

Not sure what you want to feed but this is what I do.

Offer rat first feeding some will take it some not.

Offer rat second and third feeding.

Offer mice to those that have refused rats previously.

Offer mice again to those that have refused the previous week

Offer mice in brown paper bag

Important things are to make sure the temps are not too hot, 6 quarts tubs do not allow much room to thermo regulate and I would consider providing temps of 88 on the warm side (not much hotter than that)

Have aspen bedding this allows them to burrow which means it allows them to feel more secure

Do not offer more than every 7 days.

Add crumble newspaper in the tubs of those that are hard to start.

Monitor their general look make sure they are well hydrated.

Note: I generally do not consider assisting before weeks 6 or 8 in most cases (that's an average).
It is base on overall look, health, weight, whether or not the animal absorbed it's yolk (in the case it did not it would be VERY different) etc.

Thanks so much for the help guys....i will wait a week and the try again....