poll question for hatchlings

Ok just wondering since its the best time of the year for us ball python keepers with the new babies and morphs being produced makes me wonder which first food you like to offer first when your babies have there first shed and are separated. Do you like Rat crawlers first or mouse hoppers? And, do you feed right away after first shed or do you like to wait a week?



Lance

I've had the best luck with mouse hoppers. Last year, the one clutch I had actually all started on f/t mouse hoppers. Started offering a week after the first shed, two babies took immediately, two the next feeding, and the remaining two as soon as I switched them from newspaper to aspen. All six had RB hide boxes, if that helps.

Normally I'd start them on ASF hoppers because they take them right away. Sometimes before first shed. Then they'd go to rat crawlers immediately. This year though, my ASFs are not producing well so I've had to start everyone on rats. It took a couple weeks after shed but eventually they all took. I prefer using the ASFs because they start eating much faster but rats will work with some patience.

I start mine on ASfs right away and then switch over to rats after the 3rd feeding

I always go with rats first. Mouse hoppers for the hold-outs who are being stubborn, but once they get going it's straight to rats! I usually don't bother with trying to feed before their first shed as it's usually only a few days after hatching that they're already going into shed mode...but if you can get them going before then, all the better...:)

ASF folks: Any problems switching to rats? Do you find some that get "hooked" on ASF's? - Thanks!

When I used ASF's I never had problems switching.

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I vote that you really like the word "First"!

Rat pups for me.

Hatchlings will always switch from ASFs to rats right away. At that age they are too young for it to be a problem. Once they eat it gets their hunger, and feeding response kicked in so they'll take just about anything offered after a couple meals. Using ASFs just starts them faster. Much like mice, but many of us won't breed mice because they smell so bad. ASF are easier to keep because of this. Huge litters too.

Rats were always so hit or miss that I just gave up and feed everyone mice until after their 1st year.

ASF hoppers, then switch over to f/t rats for ones that I'm going to sell. Keepers stay on ASFs. I've had no problems switching from ASFs to rats and back on even adult snakes.

Mice hoppers then rat pups. I feed mine live but I hope to switch the ones I will sell to f/t immediately after their first meal this year.

For those starting on ASFs do you do live or f/t? I'd be interested in trying this but I'd be worried about availability of live.

I have started both of my clutches on rat fuzzies.

most if not all of my clutchs start on live rat fuzzies/pups it sends them into a frenzy. but occasionally you need the mouse to get them going

I feed rat pups for the first meal and really haven't had an issue with doing so. I would say 80% of my babies eat the very first time I offer a live rat pup.

When I get a clutch one day I'll play on feeding rats. I fed nothing but mice till about 2 weeks ago and I'm glad I made the switch it beats feeding 2 mice when they're older.

I've only had one clutch so far but they all took on the first try. I left them together in the incubator until *all* had shed, once they'd all shed each went into a tub of their own. Then I left them totally alone until 7 days post shed, then I offered each a rat crawler. I waited 7 more days to feed again and did this for the first 3 feedings, after which I may switch to a 5 day schedule.

I explained bc I feel like the extra time helped their appetites. I'll use mice or asf's if future hatchlings don't take as quickly, but I'll always try rats first.

I attempt to feed within a few days of their first shed. I offer hopper mice as I feel they move around a bit more and entice the babies to eat. Once they are eating regularly, I switch them over to rat fuzzies.

I used to try rat pups as a first meal, with only marginal success, but this year I decided to only offer hopper mice and I've had excellent results (90% +). I try to offer my hatchlings their first meal within a few days of their first shed and, depending on their eating habits or enthusiasm (haha), I usually offer a rat pup by their third meal.
I always say...if what you're doing works for you, then don't mess with it. But, if you're having fewer than 75% of your snakes take their first meal, then I'd say you might want to consider trying what some of the people have had success with here.
Best of luck!
John

A few days after their 1st shed I offer live rat fuzzies first and those who do not eat I offer hopper mice after a couple more days. The sooner I can get them on rats the better.