How long of a break do you give a food refuser?

Our female normal has gone from 480 GM to 525 since her last rat. I weighed her after urine and stool elimination. The rat was a small/juvey. We have been feeding every 7-8 days with a little hesitation since switching to rats, but she has taken them. This last round we have gone 11 days. I saw her peak out and assumed it was "time" she refused. I waited a day and tried the same and she refused. So after the refusal, I saw her head peaking again. I think I'm about to give it another week. I don't like trying too many times and also wasting frozen rats.

The season is starting to change here in MN, but still not drastic and the tank temps are steady.

Is it worth another shot tomorrow or should I play hard ball?? (That was kind of a good pun without trying LOL!)

I wait one cycle, so either 4 or 8 days depending on their size, before offering again. Playing "hard ball" will get you nowhere.

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Originally Posted by jinx667

i wait one cycle, so either 4 or 8 days depending on their size, before offering again. Playing "hard ball" will get you nowhere.

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Make a feeding schedule (either a certain day of the week or a certain number of days between feeding) and stick to it. BP's can go months without food so going a week or so in the case of a few refusals really isn't a big deal. A feeding schedule will not only make it easier for you, but also will help prevent stress caused by trying to feed too often.

Skip it, wait till next scheduled feed day, they will be fine. I have a VERY picky CL mojave, and he likes bite size meals. Way smaller than what he should be eating, but that's all he will take, and only one, and not everytime. You have to find the "groove" for each snake. They are all different, and all have their own little quirks . My bee, will eat anything, every week. So I have both ends of the spectrum. Try not to worry to much, they can be very picky, and aren't going to die from missing a few meals. It just gives us grey hair worrying about them. Thank god for hair color......:D

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One feed period is sufficient

"Playing "hard ball" will get you nowhere."

Playing hard ball is waiting a cycle or 2 to me, so I assume you misunderstood what I meant as you seem to be in agreement with the others. Now I just need to figure out which day will be the "new cycle". My last attempt from this round which was last night or my 1st which was the night before.

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Originally Posted by Gio

Now I just need to figure out which day will be the "new cycle". My last attempt from this round which was last night or my 1st which was the night before.

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Since you are on a 7 day feeding schedule just pick whatever day of the week it will be easiest for you to feed.

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Originally Posted by Gio

"Playing "hard ball" will get you nowhere."

Playing hard ball is waiting a cycle or 2 to me, so I assume you misunderstood what I meant as you seem to be in agreement with the others. Now I just need to figure out which day will be the "new cycle". My last attempt from this round which was last night or my 1st which was the night before.

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Wait a week from today.

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I don't mean to jake this thread, but I have a question that that is a little off the op's question.
Now, my question is, will balls refuse if the feeding schedule is a little erratic?
I feed every 7 to 10 days. It's all due to work schedule. Thanks and sorry in advance.

Not highjacking at all. I have the same situation and my questions were answered on the 1st part. Please ask away! There is room for more than my question and I welcome hearing answers to your question. In the wild they are opportunistic feeders and the prey varies in type and size. I want to have a certain schedule, but my schedule is not always the same.

Lately the process has taken longer so I like to have a time that I'm not rushed and can enjoy the feeding. That said, your question is perfect!

Shot down again. Not sure what the deal is. ALL is well with temps, humidity and such, she's not in shed. I tried a night feeding because she was sticking her head out. I thought for sure she would strike. I held the rat in tongs, she was in the S position, the moved up, sniffed, and went back into the hide. I tried another rat with the same result. She curled up in her hide, and I decided to leave the rats in over night. I got up and there they were.

So to the garbage they went and I guess another week will go by. The season is changing here but she's only 1 year, 2 months old.

I guess I'll wait another week.

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Originally Posted by Gio

Shot down again. Not sure what the deal is. ALL is well with temps, humidity and such, she's not in shed. I tried a night feeding because she was sticking her head out. I thought for sure she would strike. I held the rat in tongs, she was in the S position, the moved up, sniffed, and went back into the hide. I tried another rat with the same result. She curled up in her hide, and I decided to leave the rats in over night. I got up and there they were.

So to the garbage they went and I guess another week will go by. The season is changing here but she's only 1 year, 2 months old.

I guess I'll wait another week.

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The joys of owning Ball Pythons. Even the best of feeders just decide that they don't want to eat from time to time.

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Originally Posted by polishmadman

I don't mean to jake this thread, but I have a question that that is a little off the op's question.
Now, my question is, will balls refuse if the feeding schedule is a little erratic?
I feed every 7 to 10 days. It's all due to work schedule. Thanks and sorry in advance.

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A little bit of irregularity shouldn't make a BP refuse.

Well, it appears this is the prime time to plead my case for a red tail boa. If the Royal skips the food, instead of wasting rats, I can feed the boa. Doesn't that sound like a reasonable and well thought out plan?

A brilliant plan is starting to unfold.

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Originally Posted by Gio

Well, it appears this is the prime time to plead my case for a red tail boa. If the Royal skips the food, instead of wasting rats, I can feed the boa. Doesn't that sound like a reasonable and well thought out plan?

A brilliant plan is starting to unfold.

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Yes, YES!! Go for it! boa, boa, boa!

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If someone's refusing, I'll only offer every other week. That's more about preserving my sanity than anything else.