Scheduled vs. Erratic Feedings

[Kensa]

As a new BP owner, I was just wanting to get everyone's thoughts on scheduled feedings vs. erratic feedings.

I know that most owners probably have a set day every week they feed their animals. The breeder I purchased my snake from feeds erratically: i.e., feed your juvenile once every 4-10 days. He felt that feeding erratically like this better resembled them in the wild, as they never really know when their next meal will be. He figured this encouraged them to be better eaters. I have followed this since I brought my spotnose home, and she has yet to refuse a meal. I feed F/T rat pups at the moment (she is only about 4.5 months old), and I never need to present the food for more than 15 seconds before a strike. I am really pleased with her feeding so far.

Just curious as to how other owners feel about this.

[MorphMaster]

I do once a week on Saturday as it is easier to remember who needs to eat... Currently, my snakes are ALL hunger striking. Figures I have a shot at breeding this year, but my girls would rather not gain the remainder of their weight lol

[Wes]

I feed babies every 4-6 days and BP's over 600 grams every 7-10 days. I don't have a set feeding day. Also, if a few adults start refusing food then I will wait about 14 days before I try to feed again and it has seemed to work well to get everyone eating again. Right now I only have one female who is refusing food and she has been bowl wrapping and soaking so I think she has other things on her mind

[kdreptiles]

I have given up long ago on having a set feeding day. Half of them don't want to eat on the days some of them do. I just check on them every night, if they poke their heads out ready to eat, those are the ones I feed. None of them go more than 12 days without wanting to eat, except when they go off feed for breeding season.

[sorraia]

I feed when they are hungry (indicated by behavior), typically once every 5-7 days right now. One of my snakes went 10 days without feeding because he wouldn't eat while shedding, but so far that's been the only feeding issue. Granted I have not had these snakes very long yet (only a couple months).

[KatStoverReptiles]

I feed my babies (those in 12qt tubs or smaller) every 5 days. If they refuse, they wait another 5 days. Adults get offered every 7 days but may sometimes get leftovers from refusals. If they refuse, they wait another 7 days. It's just too complicated to keep track of who's eaten and who hasn't if I try to feed them when they "look hungry." Plus with a variety of species it's easier that way.

[sho220]

I would maintain a set schedule if my work schedule allowed. As my work schedule blows, I end up feeding when I can...

[snakesRkewl]

If I have plenty feeders I offer twice a week on whatever day I feel like.
No set schedules and haven't ever fed on a set schedule.
I agree with the notion that schedules don't work very well, in the wild they are opportunistic feeders eating when they can.

[Mike41793]

If I have plenty feeders I offer twice a week on whatever day I feel like.
No set schedules and haven't ever fed on a set schedule.
I agree with the notion that schedules don't work very well, in the wild they are opportunistic feeders eating when they can.

x2 to pretty much all of this.

Imo the schedules are for the keeper, not really the snakes. Because the snakes could care less that you feed them on the same day every week lol.

If no ones seems interested ive skipped a week too.

[Kensa]

Sounds like everyone just does what works for them regarding feeding.

I figured that people would have differing opinions. I can understand how when you have more than a few snakes, it would be difficult to keep records on who has eaten and who has refused and when. It could get mighty tedious.