I'm guessing here but I think bird seed substrate is probably a big no-no for balls. At my pet store they only use it for certain lizards. Most snakes look like they are on fir/sphagnum, which is what I use. There is a recent poll on this and aspen shavings are most popular IIRC.

I've definately noticed that there is an increase in activity after a big movement. As my local snake guru said "I'm sure you can relate to that!"

My boy is about 25" and I keep him pretty well fed. His poos are about the same size as a kitten's. About three inches long and about the thickness of my pinky finger in the middle. They are a uniform dark brown color and occaisionally accompanied by a white ball of urates. He tends to pass one every 2-3 weeks. I'm fairly sure that what comes out of your snake is not from his feed 4 days ago. From what I've seen it takes at least 2 weeks off feed to get your snake all "cleaned" out.