Help please

[kylesreptiles]

I have a couple ball pythons that are a pain when it comes to feeding time. They havent lost weight but are very slow at growing and gaining due to just how often they feed. I read numerous places that most balls that dont feed well will eat ASFs with no problem(I know this isnt always correct). So should I try and feed them ASFs and if they take start a colony so I always have food for them?

[stratus_020202]

We need a little more info. How old are they? Are you sure it's not a normal winter fast? Are your temps and humidity right on spot? Are they housed together? Do you feed in the enclosure or seperately? If they haven't lost weight, then it probably isn't anything serious. What have you tried? Have you tried different weights of rats/mice? I have a few stubborn fasters, and I will try mice, and then small rats.

I would try mice first. It might be difficult going back to rats after asf's. But, it's probably going to be difficult no matter what, because it's a bp. Lol.

[koloo921]

I feed all of my snakes ASF's and Rats. I breed both. Most of my picky guys will take a ASF over a rat. I have not had any problems with my snakes not taking rats after I feed them ASF's.

[JLC]

I moved this thread into the BP Husbandry forum, since it's not specifically about ASF husbandry or breeding.

I agree that we'd need a lot more info about your snakes and their set-up to be able to offer specific advice about what/how to feed. There's nothing inherently wrong with feeding ASF's...but make sure you have a consistent, reliable source for them if you choose to go that route. They can be more of a pain to find/buy than your typical rat or mouse.

I'd like to add though, that I fear some folks put way too much emphasis on "how fast" their snakes grow. There's nothing wrong with a slow growth rate, and it's probably healthier for them in the long run (speculation on my part without any specific documentation) than trying to force them to grow at some arbitrary "fast" rate.

[kylesreptiles]

Well thanks for moving the post, your right its better fitted for BP husbandry. No Im not to try and put a certain growth pattern on any snake. I had a female that was a shy eater and then caught right back up to my other female her age so I know the growth rate varies. The two females I bought last year off craigslist cause one had wounds on her face due to a rat and the owner didnt want them so I dont know their ages. Yes I know ASFs arent popular thats why I said I would start my own colony. Thank you Steph for your input Im gonna start my own colony.