Food concerns

[MikeSilver]

Ive had my bp Ajax for almost 2 weeks now, and I have some food questions. He is a great eater, that is not the issue. I'd like your help making sure im on the right track with portion size.

I bought him as a baby, and the store had feeding history going back two months. For our purposes, let's assume that he is three months old now. When I bought him, his feeding log said that he had eaten upon arrival at the shop, but not for 7 consecutive weeks following. I chalked this up to stress and a changing environment. My main issue was, he looked thin. I asked what they were feeding him, and they told me F/T mouse fuzzies. From my reading, I thought this to be small, but brought a few home hoping they would entice him to eat.

Until today, I hadn't weighed him (i didn't have a scale until today). I was surprised to see that he is only at 77 grams. Even at this weight, however, the mouse fuzzies are too small. I'm thinking I should transition to Rat fuzzies, but I'm concerned this might be too much of a jump. On the other hand, I'd like to transition to rats asap and also would like to see him put on some weight.

Please share any thoughts you have. Thanks!

[MikeSilver]

Any help?

[Jwkempo]

Most of my babies were being fed rat pups by the breeders when I got them. Very tough for me to get rat pups (unless I go to a reptile show) So here is the feeding sequence tranisitions I used for my balls when they were babies: (all F/T Mice): fuzzies, hoppers, adult then finally I transition them onto weaned rates.

[aLittleLessButter]

A rat fuzzy should be fine. Breeders usually are able to feed rat fuzzies to just hatched babies so you should be fine. Can you post a pic of him next to a quarter or something so we can get an idea of his width? If he has been eating only mice you may have a problem getting him to switch to rats though

[MikeSilver]

The good news is he ate a rat fuzzy tonight. He was very reluctant to take it. It almost seemed like he was concerned about the size. He also ate it tail first, which was amusing to watch. I'll post a pic of him in a couple days after he's had a chance to digest.

[Sauzo]

Well if he weighs 77g, then you should be getting him a rat that is between 8-12g. My advice is buy one that you eyeball as being the right size or on the small size as smaller is better to just an idea. Then bring it home and weigh it. Then you will know the size you need next time.

[MikeSilver]

Here he is.