Hatchling Feeding Question...

[don15681]

The reason the members are asking about the setup is hatchlings requirements can be a little different than the larger ball pythons you already have. The main one being the size of the enclosure the hatchling is being kept in. You want to come as close as you can to what the breeder had it in. Most breeders will keep a hatchling in a tub about 6 quarts in size. bigger isn't always better. remember breeders don't have room to house maybe hundreds of hatchlings in something that takes up room. plus hatchlings seems to do better in a small tub compare to a larger one anyways.

start out with live large fuzzy or small hopper mice. if the hatchling doesn't feed, wait 2 to 3 days before trying again, any sooner can cause stress, don't handle the hatchling until it shows a good feeding response.

I keep all my hatchlings in 6 quart tubs and even the hatchlings that I have to assist feed to get started do very well feeding. I keep them in these tubs until around 300 grams. when I switch them to a larger tub some will go off feed, but they have the weight to support it for a little while.

if you have a tank setup already, buy a 6 quart tub from wal-mart around 1 dollar. place air holes in it. put paper towel in bottom small water bowl and lid on it. and set about 1/3 of tub on heat pad in the tank you already have. Keep the hot spot around 90. good luck, don

[ericzerka24]

The reason the members are asking about the setup is hatchlings requirements can be a little different than the larger ball pythons you already have. The main one being the size of the enclosure the hatchling is being kept in. You want to come as close as you can to what the breeder had it in. Most breeders will keep a hatchling in a tub about 6 quarts in size. bigger isn't always better. remember breeders don't have room to house maybe hundreds of hatchlings in something that takes up room. plus hatchlings seems to do better in a small tub compare to a larger one anyways.

start out with live large fuzzy or small hopper mice. if the hatchling doesn't feed, wait 2 to 3 days before trying again, any sooner can cause stress, don't handle the hatchling until it shows a good feeding response.

I keep all my hatchlings in 6 quart tubs and even the hatchlings that I have to assist feed to get started do very well feeding. I keep them in these tubs until around 300 grams. when I switch them to a larger tub some will go off feed, but they have the weight to support it for a little while.

if you have a tank setup already, buy a 6 quart tub from wal-mart around 1 dollar. place air holes in it. put paper towel in bottom small water bowl and lid on it. and set about 1/3 of tub on heat pad in the tank you already have. Keep the hot spot around 90. good luck, don

Good point about the tank size. Changing the tank size definitely goofs them up. This could very well be the possibility.

What are you housing it in?

[RichsBallPythons]

The reason you switch them to rats is the size bp's get they need the bigger prey. MIce don't get big enough for them and you end up having to feed them a few mice when you could just as easily give them one rat. The cost would be greater having to feed multiple mice. YOu would save a lot of money getting it onto rats.

Costs me about .10 to produce my own mmice there for i feed what works. And technically rats cost more to produce and or buy due to size. I feed what ever they want to stay happy and fed.

So it dont matter what you need to feed, feed what works. All an adult ever needs is 50-80 grams per meal nothing more. Anything above that is wasted food.

[vangarret2000]

I don't breed my own feeders but you are right rats do cost more due to their size, but for me to feed the same amount of mouse in weight it would cost me more for the mouse. I have seen rats sold for ridiculas prices but it isn't hard to find a good priced rat either to make it way more affordable.

[PolkaDotPenguin]

Didnt mean to come off rude sorry about that last post!

The temps read hot spot 88-92
There is really no traffic at all there, its in a spare room where all the snakes are.
I am only able to feed it rats because our breeder only breeds gerbils & rats. So its convient
Im housing it in a tub just like the rest of the snakes are in. With a water bowl on one side, and hide on the other with newspaper substrate. She is in a 6qt tub right now because its honestly perfect size for her since she is soo small.
Did i answer all questions?