Quote Originally Posted by rabernet View Post
Regarding younger snakes, as Tim said - it's in their best interest to grow as quickly as possible to be less of a prey item to bigger animals. I believe that Tim told me that some CH babies that are imported have been reported to be 2 x the size of their equally aged CB babies, because they ate every single time they came across prey.

The longer I've kept these animals, the more open that I've become to new methods of keeping and raising them based on what makes good common sense to me. When I first started keeping them, all my personal "rules" were very black and white about their care. Now I'm open to more shades of gray and that if the Barkers can keep them one way and be successful, and NERD can keep them a different way, and Brian Sharp yet another, who's to say that one way is better than another?

There are certainly very basic guidelines that we stick to when advising those new to keeping ball pythons, because they are tried and true. But for those with more experience under their belts, think outside the box a little. Just because someone is feeding more than you would, doesn't mean that it's a bad thing. How else do we learn more about them?

Three years ago, NO one would have bred a male under a year old. Now, with people like John Stranahan (jasballs) pushing the envelope you now hear Adam say on Reptile Radio that he's bred younger males, you hear many of the big breeders trying it and seeing no detriment to their male's health, as long as they are in tune with their animal and stress signals.

No one serious about their animals would willingly risk their health. I can't speak to un-ethical people who thought BP's were the next big money maker a few years ago, but most of the members participating here I find to be very thoughtful and put their animal's well-being first, but are also willing to try new things, while still being mindful to how their animals respond.

Just my $.02
I completely agree with you, and I'm not saying that one way is better than another. Just pushing the other side of things.
I wouldn't personally power feed, just because I'm not in a rush to breed my animals, but I'm not downing anyone who does, unless they do it in a way that they're knowingly harming their animals.
This site is full of a lot of members who are very good about caring for their animals and doing so in a very ethical manner, even with their feeders.