Ok, I know the rules about not feeding something bigger that the snake is around and also the 10% rule. That being said, my neo that hatched in late November 2007 is currently on weekly mouse fuzzies. I have the feeding records going back to October 2007 so that makes about 40 meals. It still seems hungry though. When do you guys typically move up to hoppers? It weighed in at 45g 2 weeks ago. Thanks.
                        
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Another food size question
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 td30.chondroforum |
Another food size question |
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Posts: 8 (06/08/08 20:06:21) |
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td30.chondroforum |
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Posts: 9 (06/09/08 14:33:01) |
bump for a little help...
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Kim Burge |
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Posts: 273 (06/09/08 14:45:46)
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I'm not sure what the 10% rule is but I just eyeball it on food size. I like the food item to leave a small, but obvious lump in their bellies after
they've fed so that means I am feeding meals that are slightly larger than they are around. You can get a good idea of whether the meal is too big when
you go to offer it. I am one that tends to feed smaller meals more often. With their fast metabolism, neonates tend to beg for food a lot. I usually feed
that age every 5-7 days and expect a defecation between feedings.
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td30.chondroforum |
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Posts: 10 (06/09/08 16:32:53) |
The 10% rule would be feeding a food item that is 10% of their body weight. So in my case about a 5g mouse fuzzy. This is what I am feeding every 7 days. I
guess I was just wondering when most of the breeders switch from fuzzies to hoppers. I am not in a rush to have him/her grow, but wanted to make sure I was
feeding enough. That fuzzy I feed is swallowed withing a minute or two then he immediately he starts looking for more. Does 45g sound about right for a 8
month old Merauke? Thanks for the help.
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Kim Burge |
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Posts: 276 (06/10/08 06:10:09)
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My good feeders are around 100-120g at a year of age so that's between 7-9g a month average weight gain in the first year (with an average 12g at
hatching). If yours is a good feeder then I'd say he's a little on the small side but nothing to be too worried about because I've seen them go
through major growth spurts in the later part of their first year, especially with increased meal sizes. I'm not in front of my feeding records right now
to see about what weight mine were as I move up in food size but I'd guess you're getting close to feeding small hoppers at this point. I've never
used the 10% rule and I don't know that I'd worry much about it, especially if you're using frozen/thawed. Just make your best call on it and if
you think it seems a little big, feed a smaller meal next time around.
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