Feeding every 3, 4, 5, 6 or seven days?

[concreteambassador]

I have read a lot of different views on how much is too much feeding. From what i can gather a young corn can eat every three or four days without any problems as he is active and wont become obese while young. As he becomes heavier give him bigger meals at bigger intervals. What would you guys say is right.

 

[Asbit]

Buy yourself a digital kitchen scale that weighs in 1 gram increments and follow this plan it will help you out to know how much and when depending on the size of the snake. It is not a hard fast rule as each snake is different like each human but is a great generalization and if your snake starts to look triangular increase feeds and if it starts to look like it is getting hips right before the vent then definitely decrease feeds. But generally this works well for most corns.


The Munson Plan (Sample Feeding Chart): Revised 06/08/08
-When they're on single pinks (2-3g), I feed every 5-6 days. (Snake = 4-15g)
-Double pinks (3g x 2) every 5-6 days. (Snake = 16-23g)
-Small fuzzies (5-7g) every 6-7 days. (Snake = 24-30g)
-Regular fuzzies (7-9g) every 6-7 days (Snake = 30-50g)
-Hoppers (9-12g) every 6-7 days (Snake = 51-90g)
-Weaned (14-20g) every 7 days (Snake = 91-170g)
-Adult (20-30g) every 7-x days (Snake = 170+) See below.

Note: Adult females are fed more frequently than adult males (especially following brumation). Adult females are fed every 7-12 days; adult males are fed every 11-14 days.

 

[airenlow]

5 days is the lowest I would ever go. Any more frequent and they will just be constantly digesting. I have stuck to a 7 day schedule with my '09s and they are all thriving.

 

[Nanci]

I wouldn't feed a baby more often than every five days, and certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone other than a very experienced breeder. You need to allow at least 48 hours to digest or you risk regurgitation. I allow three days. So if you are feeding every three or four days, you barely have time to handle your pet! Plenty of people feed babies every seven days.

Really, all feeding frequency affects is the growth rate, as long as the snake is digesting properly. There isn't much, if any, benefit to a fast growth rate. Possibly, getting the snake out of the fragile baby stage faster. Possibly being assured of having a female of breeding weight at three years of age. I can't think of a detriment to slow growth, except delayed breeding age, if that is your goal.

Have you taken a look at the feeding table called The Munson Plan? It has proven a reliable guide to hundreds, if not thousands of snake keepers.

 

[concreteambassador]

thanks dudes that seems like a good plan there i will stick to that. by double pinkies you mean just put two in with him at one feeding time or is there a special way to feed them to him

 

[Asbit]

Just put the two in and he will eat them, another good thing to do is cut slits into the skin of your mice, it allows for the snakes digestive system to do a better job easier, as well it allows for a faster growth rate. All you need is either a very sharp knife or a small pair of cuticle scissors, you can either cut down the spine or cut v's across the spine and it just needs to be through the skin. Do it once you have thawed the mouse.

 

[concreteambassador]

thats genius yeah, to aid digestion. your like the yoda of cornsnakes thanks for the advice i will defo follow the munson plan but god knows where im going to find them scales lol. i think the bong shop is the only place that sells scales round here lol.

 

[Nanci]

You might find a gram scale at an electronics store, a food or nutrition or vitamin store, or whatever the Irish equivalent of Walmart is. Or you can mail order it.

 

[Porro]

thats genius yeah, to aid digestion. your like the yoda of cornsnakes thanks for the advice i will defo follow the munson plan but god knows where im going to find them scales lol. i think the bong shop is the only place that sells scales round here lol.

lol funny you say bong shop cuz I always get weird looks when friends of mine come in and see a digital scale sitting on my dresser........

they're always like "Porro, I didn't know you smoked!" lol

 

[Asbit]

That is so funny I always get asked if I am dieting or something that I have a weigh scale on my kitchen counter, people think I am weighing food. You should see the looks I get when they find out that it is to weigh snakes and mice!!:shrugs:

By the way I am no Yoda of snakes I just get great tutelage on this fabulous site and believe in sharing all the great information that people were nice enough to share with me.

 

[carnivorouszoo]

I have read a lot of different views on how much is too much feeding. From what i can gather a young corn can eat every three or four days without any problems as he is active and wont become obese while young. As he becomes heavier give him bigger meals at bigger intervals. What would you guys say is right.

I pretty much follow the Munson plan. Its a very decent guideline for new folks touse until they get to know their snake and how they need to be fed. With hatchlings always start with pinkies. Best way to tell if your guy or gal is ready to move up is either by weight or food lump size and how long it stays. If the snake looks unfed within 24 hours of being fed its time to move to the next size. Most do double pinks for a bit before going to peach fuzz. Really, look up the Munson Plan on here its great!