1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

[Icatsme]

So I tried feeding my newly hatched (and shed) clutch of five last night. One of them ate a rat pinkie within an hour.

I left rat pinks in overnight, no takers. Only one of the five has taken the first meal.

My question is - What is the ratio that you have of hatchlings that feed the first attempt versus hatchlings that take a few rounds to get a clue?

I had this problem last year. Only one of them ate right at the get go, the others had some issues.

Is it me...or is it them that's the issue?

[nixer]

So I tried feeding my newly hatched (and shed) clutch of five last night. One of them ate a rat pinkie within an hour.

I left rat pinks in overnight, no takers. Only one of the five has taken the first meal.

My question is - What is the ratio that you have of hatchlings that feed the first attempt versus hatchlings that take a few rounds to get a clue?

I had this problem last year. Only one of them ate right at the get go, the others had some issues.

Is it me...or is it them that's the issue?

i think its just the luck of the draw.
last year i had 1 slow starter (shy)
this year i have 4 that just cant seem to grasp the constrict part

[JD Constriction]

I've had the most luck using rat fuzzies instead of pinks (something with a good amount of fur on it) and attempting first feedings 1-2 weeks after their first shed. Using this method I usually get 9/10 (or better) to eat that first time.

Hope that helps But as always do what works for you!

[Blue Apple Herps]

With my 1st clutch this year I had two eat rat fuzzies right away. The other four refused. After three attempts with rat fuzzies I tried mouse hoppers. All four ate right away.

So you might try that. I wonder if the activity that the hoppers have over the fuzzies stimulates them in some way, or they may just be mouse eaters.

[J.Vandegrift]

You will get a much better ratio with mouse hoppers, but most will eventually break down and take a rat pink/fuzzy.

[JD Constriction]

I've found that as well. I wondered if it didn't have to do with them being more jumpy and having a stronger odor with more fur?

Something I've tried this year with bigger hatchlings (75-100g) is rat crawlers/pups (something with lots of fur that's fairly mobile). And that's worked out really well in terms of taking a rat first try.

I actually haven't had to use mice at all yet this year *crosses fingers*

You will get a much better ratio with mouse hoppers, but most will eventually break down and take a rat pink/fuzzy.

[jglass38]

You will get a much better ratio with mouse hoppers, but most will eventually break down and take a rat pink/fuzzy.

Agreed. I have had the best success with hopper mice for the first meal. I do always try F/T first and I get about 60% started that way. The rest will eat a hopper mouse in the first couple weeks after shed.

[bigballs]

live hoppers for the first meal here as well. i wait around a week after their first shed to feed them so that their stomachs are nice and empty and they are ready to fill em up again. eventually switching them all to f/t rat fuzzies is no problems.

[Icatsme]

Hoppers next round it is then! Thanks for your input! I'm interested to see if there's any difference in feeding behavior.

Agreed. I have had the best success with hopper mice for the first meal. I do always try F/T first and I get about 60% started that way. The rest will eat a hopper mouse in the first couple weeks after shed.

Interesting on the F/T. I was wondering if anyone got hatchies started from the get-go with them. Thank you for sharing that tidbit.

[jglass38]

Hoppers next round it is then! Thanks for your input! I'm interested to see if there's any difference in feeding behavior.



Interesting on the F/T. I was wondering if anyone got hatchies started from the get-go with them. Thank you for sharing that tidbit.

No problem! Even when I bred rodents I liked to get hatchlings on F/T right away if possible. I feel like I've had pretty good success with it. This year I have gotten every hatchling so far onto F/T by their 3rd or 4th meal.