Hatchling Feeding

[LLLReptile]

I thought it was better to start babies on rats and not mice.

Baby rats can be higher in fat than mice of a similar size. My personal preference is to start my baby balls on mice, and raise them up on them until they can feed on wean rats.

Each breeder has their own preference as to what works best. Me, I use mice. They're easier for me to get at the size I want, and less expensive. I also know plenty of people who start with rat pups. Comparing babies side by side, it is hard to say one is any better than the other, at least in my experience.

-Jen

[rirvinbrady]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the feed back.
I'll be waiting for a baby that has eaten already.

[1nstinct]

Sorry to possible steal the thread
But I am curious wen you breeders try the f/t do you just thaw them out or do you also heat they up with water/hair dryer/heat lamps. I'm wondering would the heat up way give better results because they will have a higher temp almost like a live mouse?
Tom

[Wicked Constrictors]

Yay great now i need to start breeding mice too

[Annarose15]

Sorry to possible steal the thread
But I am curious wen you breeders try the f/t do you just thaw them out or do you also heat they up with water/hair dryer/heat lamps. I'm wondering would the heat up way give better results because they will have a higher temp almost like a live mouse?
Tom

I heat mine with a hair dryer after they are fully thawed. Some established feeders will take one at room temp, but it's been the exception for me. The hair dryer also helps prescent the room - my BPs react to the sound/air movement/scent like Pavlov's dogs now!

[Don]

I use a heat lamp and a hair dryer.