Figures my luck would run out now!

[TJsBalls]

So I've had some pretty decent luck this past year. 3 snakes we bought were supposedly mouse only eaters, and one strictly ASF eater. Well we switched them first feed over to rats, zero problems. Then I get a wicked odds dual sired clutch from my virgin pinstripe Genesys, Paired to two virgin males. Thats about where the luck ran out... Her clutch hatched out around the 29th of September, and since then only 3 of the seven hatchlings has taken a meal.. One of three Jigsaws, the Lemonblast, and one normal. I've tried live mouse hoppers, which seem a bit on the large side, live day old rat pinks, frozen thawed rat pinks, scenting mice with rat, scenting rat with mouse, feeding in a small container, and leaving food overnight. So far they seem determined to make me pull what hair I have left out!! I'm getting a bit concerned as they have lost a bit of weight since hatching, and I don't know what else to do. I will be trying braining ft rat pinks this weekend, beyond that I'm stumped. Any suggestions? Something I might not have tried yet? Am I worrying for no reason? I know BP's can go some time without feed, but hatchlings worry me.

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[Rickys_Reptiles]

1) be consistent. All that stuff you're doing to help is actually part of the problem. How are they supposed to learn what to eat if you keep changing the food?

2) Buy live rat pups. At night, when it's dark, put 1 pup in with each snake - then walk away. An hour later, come back and take out the pups that are still alive. Try again 3 days later. and then again 3 days after..

[zach_24_90]

Sometimes you have to assist feed hatchlings till they begin eating on their own. Grab them behind their jaw shove a pinkie halfway down their throat and they should do the rest. Sometimes it Takes a couple times and some patience but eventually they will get the point. If they spit it out 3 times I usually just try again in a few days. It sounds barbaric but if you really care about not losing your hatchling it's what needs to be done. Welcome to balls haha.

[TJsBalls]

1) be consistent. All that stuff you're doing to help is actually part of the problem. How are they supposed to learn what to eat if you keep changing the food?

2) Buy live rat pups. At night, when it's dark, put 1 pup in with each snake - then walk away. An hour later, come back and take out the pups that are still alive. Try again 3 days later. and then again 3 days after..

These little guys hatched out around 50 grams each, and I'm thinking rat pups might be a bit large for them? That's why I've been trying pinkies. But I will stick with this and be consistent.

Regarding assist feeding, I know that's an option, but definitely a very last resort. I'm going to stick with consistent attempts of live for the next couple weeks, see where that gets me.

Figures you try your hardest to help the little ones, and are actually doing everything wrong.

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[Crazymonkee]

I'm not an expert, but if they hatched out at 50g I personally would keep a close eye on weight loss, a couple more weeks may be too long to wait to assist feed.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong

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[zach_24_90]

I'm not an expert, but if they hatched out at 50g I personally would keep a close eye on weight loss, a couple more weeks may be too long to wait to assist feed.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong

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your not haha

ok OP im going to give you some "tough" advice its not meant to insult it was something that was told to me when I started...when it comes to assist feeding hatchlings its not uncommon at all. I have to do it all the time. your well past when I would start. you are at risk of losing your snakes now. especially in hatchlings if you can actually notice weight loss your wayyy past not wanting to assist feed. its not a bad thing. it shouldn't be a last resort when it comes to getting hatchlings to eat. its how ball pythons are. I can see how it could be scary to somebody like yourself but honestly its part of breeding balls. if your not prepared to do it don't breed. simple as that. because sooner or later youre going to have a clutch that doesn't eat. so either learn to assist feed, give them to somebody who will, or stop breeding.

its not pretty.. but it saves lives. its not about shoving food in their throat. they actually learn what food is and begin to eat on their own a lot faster this way than if you just starve them. and you may say oh well im giving them food im not starving them they just aren't eating. by your lack of willingness to take action you are in fact starving them. sometimes they need guidance.

[Bugmom]

I'd assist feed a pinkie now because another week or two could be to too late.

I was in the same boat two years ago with my daughter's bp. It just would not eat (we got it knowing it hadn't fed while in the pet store). I tried everything you tried, with no success. The snake passed before I could assist feed.

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[OhhWatALoser]

I have always found how they perceive security is the issue, not the food source. The trick I always use is to crumble small balls of newspaper and fill the tub up with them. Later that day, try a live feeding.

[zach_24_90]

These little guys hatched out around 50 grams each, and I'm thinking rat pups might be a bit large for them? That's why I've been trying pinkies. But I will stick with this and be consistent.

Regarding assist feeding, I know that's an option, but definitely a very last resort. I'm going to stick with consistent attempts of live for the next couple weeks, see where that gets me.

Figures you try your hardest to help the little ones, and are actually doing everything wrong.

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one thing I will ask you.. its been this long with the mentality of "I'm going to stick with consistent attempts of live for the next couple weeks, see where that gets me"... what makes you think its going to magically work tomorrow or the next day.. it doesn't work like that with hatchlings. not when its already to the point of them losing weight.

[TJsBalls]

I've obviously gotten some bad advice in the past in regards to hatchlings. Last year was my first year breeding, with one clutch and no real issues to speak of with regards to feeding. I appreciate all the advice you folks her have given me, and I will go home tonight and attempt to assist feed. Its not Something new to me, I had a pastel hatchling I bought a few years ago that required assist feeding. I've clearly made a horrible mistake in trying to get my hatchlings to feed, and I will do what I can to remedy the situation. Its a horrible way to have to learn, but I don't think I should not breed because of this. Just my thoughts. Thanks all.

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