Powerfeeding

[m00kfu]

I think the first thing that needs to be addressed in a thread like this is your definition of power feeding. A lot of people have different ideas of what they would consider power feeding.

Personally, I've always had the understanding that power feeding is forcing the animal to eat more than they should by passing multiple prey items to it one after the other in a chain. That I believe is wrong, and the stress you would cause the snake out weighs any benefits you could gain from doing this.

Some people consider feeding more than once a week power feeding. I don't see this as power feeding. If the snake isn't hungry, it's not going to eat. As long as you're keeping an eye on the snake to make sure it's not becoming obese, there's nothing wrong with this. If it IS becoming obese, you're over feeding the snake, not power feeding it. I believe some snakes are genetically predisposed to eating whatever you put in front of them, so you DO have to know your animals.

[ThyTempest]

I agree that young snakes are genetically disposed to try and grow as quickly as possible, hence eating more or more frequently, etc. However, I think people use this as too much of an excuse. Moderation is the key. Don't offer a hatchling 5 fuzzies just because you know he will take them...he is genetically determined to take them. There is no need for them to grow too fast and risk later health effects in captivity. In the wild, the risk of being prey when they are tiny is higher than the chance that they will get some health issue later in life from growing too fast as a hatchling, for this reason, they eat more/have a higher metabolism w/e. I think it is our responsibility as keepers to act in the best interest of the snakes and hobby, not our own wallets or goals.

As for what is or isnt powerfeeding and how to recognize if you are over/powerfeeding (depending on your definition), is a vicious cycle. Most of the big breeders are the ones that are powerfeeding more regularly, and because they have so many snakes, are unable to have a personal connection with each animal to notice all of the stress indicators or overall well being, like a smaller hobby breeder might have the time and motivation to do. This is just food for though but something I think is crucial none the less.

I had another thought going....but I lost it.

[BPHERP]

...Yes or no (other than opinions based on personal preference) i would ask for someone to provide evidence that it shortens their lifespan, or does any harm at all. It is one thing to say "No, its bad" or "Yes, its ok" but its quite another to offer some scientific or experienced based evidence or information on the subject.

I personally stick to a once a week routine feeding schedule, but if I said it was bad to feed them more often I would be basing my opinion on nothing, because I really don't know.

Brandon

[BPHERP]

1) I often see people posting franticly about their ball python(s) not feeding enough, or at all, at times, which I would surmise is a good indication of them eating when they feel like it; in other words balls can be picky eaters...

2) On the other end of the spectrum is the concept of "power feeding", or feeding them more than once a week, like once every 4 to 5 days, or more...

So which is it?

Do they eat when they want, like balls have demonstrated?

Or, can they be forced/induced into eating in greater intervals just be introducing food into their tubs?

I think they eat when THEY WANT TO, so if you provide them food, even if it’s more than once a week, and they eat it, they naturally wanted it. And if they don't want it (and I think evidence has shown that balls are like cats, in that they do what they want, when they want) then there is no harm in introducing food more often, because if a ball does not want to eat, IT WONT.

Brandon

[Hyper Joe]

I think the first thing that needs to be addressed in a thread like this is your definition of power feeding. A lot of people have different ideas of what they would consider power feeding.

Personally, I've always had the understanding that power feeding is forcing the animal to eat more than they should by passing multiple prey items to it one after the other in a chain. That I believe is wrong, and the stress you would cause the snake out weighs any benefits you could gain from doing this.

Some people consider feeding more than once a week power feeding. I don't see this as power feeding. If the snake isn't hungry, it's not going to eat. As long as you're keeping an eye on the snake to make sure it's not becoming obese, there's nothing wrong with this. If it IS becoming obese, you're over feeding the snake, not power feeding it. I believe some snakes are genetically predisposed to eating whatever you put in front of them, so you DO have to know your animals.

I agree with you, power feeding is forcing another feeder item down the snakes throat as it swallows an item. I don't understand where it got confused with over feeding. "Power" feeding is using force not just putting a feeder in the tub. It is like assist feeding but the snake already has something in its throat your just adding more items.

In the late 80's I used to power feed my boas to get them huge and back then we (my friends and I) didn't know too much about reptile husbandry, it was more like experimenting. Who can get their boa to breeding size first....! Now we realize this does shorten the life span of boas. None of those boas lived beyond 5 years and they died with no apparent reason. I haven't tried this with any other snakes and probably never will again.

So, all in all "Power" feeding is not a good thing. "Over" feeding depends on the situation if it is a good thing or not. And if it was a good thing it wouldn't be called overfeeding would it? hehehe