Feeding Question - Still Hungry After Small Meal

[ckuhn003]

Hey there....I'm asking a question that I 'probably' already know the answer to but just looking for some piece of mind since this is the 1st time it's happened.

I've had my BCI for almost a year and he's been feeding regularly every 7-10 days on adult mice (19-25 grams). He's about 350 grams. I've been organizing my feeders and trying to offer my smallest feeders 1st but last nights feeder looked extremely small. He took it without a problem like he always does but this morning when I checked on him he was completely stoic and outside of his hide. I probably shouldn't have but I pointed my finger in his direction to make sure he was still 'alive' and he immediately struck at the glass. Total feed mode response!! I've never seen him not in his hide the morning after a feeding. I think I have one more feeder on the small size that I'll feed in 7 days.

So I guess what I'm asking is were my assumptions correct that he just wasn't satisfied with the small size of the mouse?

[richardhind1972]

Yes he was still hungry time to jump to rat weeners, a small rat weener is about the size of a large mouse in uk

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[ckuhn003]

Yes he was still hungry time to jump to rat weeners, a small rat weener is about the size of a large mouse in uk

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Thanks Richard! As soon as I finish off the rest of my mice which consist of a several larger then what I just finished feeding, I'll jump up to rats. The site I usually buy from has them listed as weaned rats (30-50grams). The smaller size is listed as pups (20-29grams) and seems like the same size as the mice I'm feeding now.

[richardhind1972]

You can always shorten the time between feeds on the large mice to use them up, probably worth getting some large weeners as well then because it won't be long till the next size is needed, but remember they are higher fat than mice

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[ckuhn003]

You can always shorten the time between feeds on the large mice to use them up, probably worth getting some large weeners as well then because it won't be long till the next size is needed, but remember they are higher fat than mice

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I thought about shortening the time frame but I've always been cautious not to feed to quickly because of slower digestive rates.

So I'm guessing the higher fat content found in rats will be the main reason to start spacing the feedings out for more then 7-10 days.

[ckuhn003]

Just got home from work and he’s in the same position in the corner of the enclosure. I’m guessing he’s not too happy with me for giving him such a small meal. I’ll be avoiding our handling session this week

[AbsoluteApril]

Boas are pretty much always ready to eat. If you aren't already, I'd suggest working on tap training so you can knock him out of food mode when you want some interaction time.

My boas, if awake, will normally start tracking me as soon as I open the cage front but the light stroke on the head with a hook, they know it's not feeding time and once I see the 'food mode' instinct turn off, I can reach in and get them out with no issues.

Good luck!

[ckuhn003]

Boas are pretty much always ready to eat. If you aren't already, I'd suggest working on tap training so you can knock him out of food mode when you want some interaction time.

My boas, if awake, will normally start tracking me as soon as I open the cage front but the light stroke on the head with a hook, they know it's not feeding time and once I see the 'food mode' instinct turn off, I can reach in and get them out with no issues.

Good luck!

Yes, I've been tap training since he arrived a year go. I also avoid handling after the lights go out which he's learned is feeding time.

This current phase of still in feeding mode and not in his hide after his feeding is new to me so I was going to take extra precaution