Just a Q?

[Johnny84]

Ok guys!

I have posted a thread similar to this a while back, but Im asking again and starting one fresh! LOL

Anyways! I want to know from you fellow breeders out there...What is the best feeding schedule and size of Rat/ASF that you guys do? My 2 hatchlings seem like they aint growing and my 09' Het Caramels seem like they dont grow either! Another weird thing, my male het caramel is 750 grams and my female het caramel is 550 grams! Born the same year, but unsure which part of the year!

Any suggestions or thoughts or stories!

Thanks!!

[Kinra]

What are you currently feeding and how often? I have hatchlings that I've seen great growth from and I've only had them a few weeks. I feed 10-15% of their body weight per meal. I was feeding once every week but I've bumped my little ones to once every 5 days or so.

As for your male being larger than your female, it's possible that she was a slow starter or doesn't eat as well. I have a 2010 that should be closer to double her size but she went on a 2.5 month hunger strike which moved her to the back of the pack in terms of size.

[Johnny84]

Well my hatchling are on rat hoppers and my female went on a 3 week hunger strike! But how do you measure 10-15% body weight and how do you put that into what size of food?

[Inknsteel]

Well my hatchling are on rat hoppers and my female went on a 3 week hunger strike! But how do you measure 10-15% body weight and how do you put that into what size of food?

If you know the weight of your snake, take the snake's weight times .10 that is 10%. Take the snakes weight times .15 and that is 15%. Then take the rat fuzzies or hoppers or whatever you're feeding and put it on the scale. The rat should weigh somewhere between the 10% and 15% mark.

If you don't have a scale to get accurate weights, you should probably invest in one. If you don't currently have one, feed one prey item approximately the width of the thickest part of your snake.

[Johnny84]

I have a scale and I have been trying to eye ball the width of the rats to fit the width of the snakes! I also buy rats from the pet store due to my breeders are still young and will not start breeding til novemeberish! But thanks that makes alot of sense! I will do just that!