I know this topic/question has been touched on a number of times, but I was wondering what the feeling is on people begin assist feeding babies. I have a few
that run and then bury their heads.
                        
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Assist Feeding
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 davidnj |
Assist Feeding |
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Posts: 927 (05/06/08 06:37:33)
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David
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RFK38 |
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Posts: 38 (05/06/08 07:44:15)
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Hey David,
I have taken the position that if the neos don't feed after all the scenting/teasing/tormenting options have failed and there doesn't seem to be any progress after multiple attempts, I begin assist feeding pink heads in rapid fire succession(once every 3 days or so) in order to build the snake up and get some sustenance into it. I have gotten the assist feeding down to a point that it takes me less than 30 seconds to get the pinky head into the mouth of the little guy and quickly release it onto the floor of its tub so it settles down and swallows. Doesn't make any sense to lose a baby from starvation. I lost a high-end baby from a well-known breeder on this forum recently that clearly had not been started right... it just wasn't strong enough to swallow the pink heads and I lost it. So, now, I don't wait. As soon as a baby shows me it has no interest in eating, I begin. They perk up quite a lot with a full belly and I feel this added strength helps them adjust to taking pinks on their own. It takes a delicate hand and is pretty stressful at first but after you get the hang of it, it's no problem. This is my take, anyway. Good luck with those beauties!!! Bob |
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GTPfan |
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Posts: 398 (05/06/08 15:38:56)
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I think I would have to agree with Bob here, but this is strictly my opinion after one clutch. I had a few slow starters that wouldn't take heads at all. I
think I waited too long to begin assist feeding since 2 of the 3 didn't make it. Like Bob said, its a little stressful at first on everyone, but once you
get a technique down it goes pretty quick. I was doing the same thing, get a head lodged in their mouths, then release them to swallow on their own. After a
couple weeks I moved to full pinks. I still tried normal feeding to see if it would feed on its own. The lone survivor was taking the pinks from tongs after 4
or 5 full ones. Once you get a full belly, you'll notice a positive change in behavior.
Best of luck
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bigsnakes |
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Posts: 308 (05/06/08 16:15:13)
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I heat the pinks, cut them in half caudal to the arms, feed the head / shoulders / arms, then feed the abdomen / hips / legs. I guess I always assumed that it
would be better for them nutritionally to include the organs and more bone from the hips, arms, legs, spine and tail.
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Morelia Viridis |
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Posts: 417 (05/06/08 21:33:22)
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The pink head in the mouth of the snake has less trauma to the animal than using an entire pink. The pink head alone ends up getting stuck because of the
backward facing teeth of the snake. Eventually they usually consume the food item in a natural motion which may help future atempts in feeding.
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