the best way to feed hatchlings?

[bigballs]

ok so i have been trying not to handle them too much but between water changes and water bowl spills i have been handling my hatchlings almost every other day(and i a havent even taken pics or sexed them yet...).

so tomorrow is the big first feeding day and im hoping that they are not stressed too much from all the handling. i have waited at least a week since their first sheds and some a few days longer. what would be the best approach to feeding them? should i just drop a live hopper mouse in there and come back in 20 mins or should i actually wait there and supervise while trying not to be noticed?

any tips, advice or just your own experiences would be great!

[LadyOhh]

Drop them in, not on top of them, and leave them be... I walk away, considering mouse hoppers can do very little if any damage, and the snakes tend to be a bit self-consious the first time.

Some will take immediately, some won't...

Good luck

[frankykeno]

Don't be surprised if some don't take to it the first time, or the second time, or the third. Some just aren't as quick as others to pick up on the whole concept of hunting for their own dinner. Out of 11 hatchlings we've had so far this year we are down to 1 that isn't eating independently quite yet but it'll get there. Just don't panic and rush into assist feeding or anything like that.

[bigballs]

Drop them in, not on top of them, and leave them be... I walk away, considering mouse hoppers can do very little if any damage, and the snakes tend to be a bit self-consious the first time.

Some will take immediately, some won't...

Good luck

thanks heather! i was thinking of doing just that. how long should i wait before checking back?
i already have a little hopper enclosure ready for the hatchlings that may not take.

Don't be surprised if some don't take to it the first time, or the second time, or the third. Some just aren't as quick as others to pick up on the whole concept of hunting for their own dinner. Out of 11 hatchlings we've had so far this year we are down to 1 that isn't eating independently quite yet but it'll get there. Just don't panic and rush into assist feeding or anything like that.

ya im not even thinking of assist feeding at the moment. i'll give em a few weeks before i start to panic...

good luck with your little hold out!

[Ginevive]

Well I am a little late, but here is what I do. I keep the hatchlings together on soppy paper towels until after they all shed. I then seperate them, each into its own shoebox tub. I let them acclimate in those for 2-3 days. I then drop in a rat fuzzy and cover the rack with a blanket to block out distractions. I like what Jo said; don't drop the food right onto the snake. I then check back in an hour or so (rat fuzzies that I use really can't do any damage to a snake) and remove any uneatens (I feed live.) I repeat weekly.. so far, 5 out of 5 of my hatchlings from this year are eating (they were hatched in June.) One took several weeks but caught on!

[bigballs]

well i pretty much dropped in one live fuzzy or hopper into each tub and left them alone for 30 mins. when i came back all but two ate and figures one of the two non-eaters was my only super pastel. dont worry though shes eating well now! the other non eater didnt eat for two weeks so on the third week i left a small hopper in the tub overnight and it was gone in the morning. i think the reason why the second one didnt eat is because i accidentally dropped the hopper on its head at the first feeding attempt. i automatically thought of Heather who specifically said not to do that and i got scared thinking it will never eat after being traumatized but its all good in the hood now!

[JenH]

I'm really surprised how well mine have taken to f/t. After 4-6 live feedings, they have all switched to f/t. No hesitation at all....

My 2 slow feeders also ate. I have had to assist feed 3 times so far. One by herself - the other coiled it, but didn't seem to know what to do. I put the mouse up to his mouth, he opened his mouth and bit down. I lightly wrapped him around the mouse, put him back in his tub and he ate.