The longest fast we got was 55 weeks. About 3 years ago, we boughyt a group of 3 "proven breeder females", that once I laid eyes on them, I believe to have been recently imported gravid females that dropped eggs. After offering numerous sizes and types of rodents, I finally got her to eat a mouse. After that first mouse, it was all downhill. SHe ate like she hadn't eaten in 55 weeks (which she hadn't). I don't have my records here, but if memory serves me right, she came to us at about 1300 grams, and dropped down to about 900 grams during her fast. Once she started eating, she gained about 900 grams in 5 months, and was ready for breeding season in Nov. 2006. Well, she didn't go that year, but she continued to eat in 2007, and got to about 2250 grams. The good news, is that she just ovulated about 5 days ago.

So, another lesson was learned the hard way. Many times, bringing in adult females to try and speed up production just doesn't work. I have CH females that I bought as babies the same year that I bought that female, that are ovulating right alongside this girl. I am not saying that all adult females are bad purchases, but be very careful, and ask alot of questions before you attempt to rush success. (sorry for the long winded response, but sometimes I get carried away).

Hope that helps,