Feeding?

[AK907]

Thanks for the heads up on the carpet, I haven't opened the box yet (Bradley is in his feeding tank, getting comfy so I can try to feed him... paper towel in that one), so I can take it back. He is 3 months, 44 grams. The last time he ate was 7/23, and he had a good poo 7/26. Also, if I leave the (dead) mouse in the tank with him, how long should I leave it before I consider it no good?

I'd offer him live rat fuzzies or hopper/weanling african soft furs. Pinky mice are WAY too small for any ball. I know it seems like a lot, but trust me, its not. Make sure he is an established feeder before trying to get him on f/t since he is a problem feeder. You say he is 3 months and only 44 grams? Thats is VERY small! Even right out of the egg that is small. I have three that hatched in the middle of June (1.5 months old) and they are 96g, 124g and 126g empty.

After he starts eating on his own reliably and gets some decent weight on him, then give f/t a try. If you try and force f/t on him he might never eat. I would suggest that you try offering f/t to him late at night, right before you turn off the lights or shortly after you turn them off. If he doesn't take it right away, you can leave it overnight. If its not gone by morning, pitch it.

I'll also second thier suggestion on using paper towels or newspaper. Thats what I use and what most breeders use. Its cheap, easy to change out and you can get it anywhere.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but when should I switch from hoppers?.....he's 18 in. and 75.7 grams.

At that size he should have no problem eating large fuzzy rats. Don't waste your time and money on mice. He will grow out of them very quickly. Get him started on rats now otherwise it can be a real pain later. Pick a rat that is as big around as the fattest part of his body or roughly 15% of his body weight.