Define Power Feeding

[rabernet]

OK, I've read differing definitions of what power feeding is, and I'd like to know what the experts here define as power feeding. I've read it's with-holding food for two weeks so that they'll eat more when they do feed (but that doesn't sound right to me), I've read it's feeding more frequently than once a week (although I know juvies are recommended every 5-7 days if they'll take it) and I've read that it's starting another feeder in their mouth as they are finishing the first.

I do NOT want to power feed, so I'd like to know what the definition of it is, and make sure that I'm taking the best care of Kash that I can!

[mr~python]

ive read (but im not sure) that it is just feeding them more then they should be fed or feeding them to big of a meal.

[Kara]

I would define it as "routinely giving a snake more food than is necessarily appropriate based on the animal's present weight, age, condition & species." For example - if I fed one of my adult bloods the same body weight:prey size ratio that I feed a subadult retic, I'd have some disgusting, fat, flat-tire looking bloods in no time. It's different for every snake, down to species & individual.

Snakes shouldn't be obese, regardless of species. It is up to each keeper to gain the experience that will allow them to judge the difference between a healthy & obese snake at various points in life. Snakes should not feel SQUISHY!!!

Fat snakes are one of my big soapboxes...I'll step off it for now.


K~

[kraniumz]

Just another term for over feeding. Lets say, you generally feed your snake 2 -3 mice a week, over feeding would mean you are feeding double that amount. Just a term people use when they think power feeding is the way to go to get a female fatter faster. In reality, it is actually bad for them, in terms of both health and breeding condition.

[rabernet]

Yeah, I knew that it was NOT good for their health, which is why I asked the question. I don't want to do that with Kashmire. He just seems like he's "bursting" at the seams right now, and I've read if their scales are stretching, then they may have had too much. However, he's eating about 1 a week or every 5 day (mouse that is). And he's approximately 3-4 months old, 18 inches and 146 grams (as of today).

The mice are the same girth as he is. He is thermo regulating and moving from hide to hide, so I would think that he's getting proper belly heat to digest.

Just wondering if I should hold off on feeing him again this Saturday or not (he last fed Sunday during the day).

[frankykeno]

I was once told it was purposefully withholding food then overfeeding a very hungry snake to "artifically" bring on growth spurts....who knows if this the what it is or not???

Adam once told me that my ball pythons should feel athletic...not squishy and fat (like Kara describes in her post).


~~Jo~~

[HelicopterPilot]

I say power feeding is alittle of joke. I say if you can give you snake another meal if you can "tell" its wants another .

[Adam_Wysocki]

It's not so much about the "feeding" as it is about the health of your snake. Ball pythons (especially breeders) should be healthy in appearance ... big huge fatties may look impressive, but they make horrible breeders.

-adam

[HelicopterPilot]

big huge fatties may look impressive......
-adam

Its quite the oppisite for me. Big fatty snakes look like ,well big fat snakes.

[rabernet]

Well, he has quite a grip on him now, tighter than he ever has. I was just worried that his scales seemed stretched. I'm feeding him once a week, appropriately sized mice. He did not feel "squishy", actually more quite muscular. Am I being OCD again?