The babies haven't shed yet but I had 2 litters of mice born yesterday. 12 of the 16 ate live day old pinkies last night. I'm hoping the other 4 eat while I'm working today. If not then I'll try them again after they have their first sheds.
I did. The original plan was to wait till after they shed. On a whim I wanted to test one to see if it was interested in eating. That one didn't waste any time. The new born pinkies barely left any bulge in the baby corns. Next time I'm just going to wait.
Yes, it is about 2 weeks after they hatch before I offer their first meal. They absorb the yoke from the egg when they hatch, and they're not always hungry right after they shed. Sometimes it can create a problem eater if offered too soon and they get in the habit of declining food.I'm still learning as I go. So you wait roughly 2 weeks after hatching to offer? Have you found if prey size makes a difference in their willingness to eat? Ie a pinkie that is probably a few hours old vs one that is a few days old? Roughly what % of a clutch do you get that accepts their first meal?