Feeding too much?

[Coolbassman]

Ok so this is my first post on BP.net. :-) I'm somewhat new to the whole BP scene. I have had 1.2 het pieds for about a year now and just bought a new 2011 male pied and a 2011 pastel het pied female. I'm liking where I'm sitting...

However, I've been letting my nephew care and feed them for a while and the '09 het pied female is only about 550 grams, the '10 het pied female is 400 grams, and the '10 het pied male is 450 grams. I'm kind of disappointed in the results so I've taken charge.

My question is, is it ok to feed them on a 3 day, 4 day cycle? Like every Wednesday and every Sunday to try and get them to put on some weight? They all eat really well have done great on a 5 day cycle since I've gotten them back.

Thanks!!

Here are my babies.













Also what do you think of my DIY rack?

[Vypyrz]

Hello, and to BP.net.

What type and size of prey are you feeding?

[Coolbassman]

I bought about 20 ASF's that i plan on breeding and that's what I'll be feeding them. The last few feedings I've given them small-medium size ASF's. The two '11 have been getting Norwegian rat fuzzies.

[RichsBallPythons]

Every 5 days is fine.

I feed all hatchlings every 3 days till they hit 400g then move to 5 days. They continue to pack on the weight and grow steadily.

They could be small due to the other care taker not feeding large enough prey items or not frequent enough. So just stick with the 5 day feeding schedule your are on and feed wean rats that are about 30-40g in size and they will double in size by xmas time.

[Coolbassman]

So would it be size to weigh my rats rather than just guess? Do I then follow the 10-15% rule or should I make smaller meals more often?

[Vypyrz]

So would it be size to weigh my rats rather than just guess? Do I then follow the 10-15% rule or should I make smaller meals more often?

I would stick to feeding prey in the 10%-15% range every 5-7 days and they will start putting on size quick enough.

[RichsBallPythons]

10-15% rule is garbage. Some generalized rule someone came up with that ive never followed and i get females breeding and laying eggs before 2 years old.

I feed smaller meals more frequent, doing so youll see they eat consistent and dont go off feed, and they poop less since they arent being over fed.

I feed my adult females regardless how big they are small rats in the 50-70g size e very 5 days. Now that breeding is coming their getting same size rat but every 3 days. I may drop it down to a wean rat or a smaller sized small rat.

[Coolbassman]

Ok, looks like its pretty much whatever works for me then right? Maybe I'll try one way with one and try the other way with the other as a sort of experiment?

[RichsBallPythons]

Yes, its what works for you and what your snakes wants. I have some snakes that wont eat but every 2 weeks no matter what. One you figure out what they want you can fine tune it and bulk them up

[Vypyrz]

I feed my adult females regardless how big they are small rats in the 50-70g size e very 5 days. Now that breeding is coming their getting same size rat but every 3 days. I may drop it down to a wean rat or a smaller sized small rat.

Thanks for that info Rich. I've never had to prep any for breeding, but that is good to know. I only used the 10-15% guide until mine reached 1000g, then I just stick to rats in the 70-90g range. And that only applies to my BP.