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ok, time for some tricks

A

acer

New member
I have had 2 clutches hatch so far this year. #1 (16 babies) is about 3 weeks old and number 2 (23) is about 1 1/2 weeks. Only 2 of the first clutch have eaten (these two have eaten twice) and all but two of the second have eaten once. The first two failed attempts were live 1 day old pinks left in over night. What are you guys' beginning trickery methods? This problem clutch is my snow motley/stripe clutch and I'd like to hear what you guys thinks is the best things to try first... split brain, scenting, etc.. I will be trying again tomorrow or the next day, thanks.
 
If you use the search feature of the forum, you'll find a ton of answers. :idea:
I have my favorites, but each stubborn baby won't all fall for the same trick ya' know? Tease/entice feeding works well for newborns for me. I won't provoke/threaten the babies when feeding this way...but a newborn's nerves get the best of them with this method and many will eat this way:eatsmiley...however, it can be quite time consuming when you have a lot of little mouthes to feed!

Next to that, the next easiest ways I've used with success is washing the pinks first (f/t pinks of course); and dipping the pinks' heads in scalding hot water (yes...f/t pinks) right before offering it to the baby. Good luck!
 
I was expecting to get a "go search" comment, but at least you did follow it with a couple of your favorites, thanks. The thing is I have searched and have found a ton of answers, but having almost an entire clutch that will not eat, but I do not have unlimited time and pinks, so I posted as much info as I could about what I had tried and was simply looking for some of you guys' tried and true methods. Thanks to the 1 of you that helped (even though I was specific and was still told to search)...
 
We've had the most success by washing the pinks.
A mild dishwashing soap works well.We use Dawn.but i don't think it matters.
We have such good success,we wash all pinks when we are defrosting a batch.
Hope this helps.
Later ROB
 
No problem...sorry 'bout the "search" comment but it's still useful! And again, just like I said...even if you had five tricks up your sleeve, sometimes each baby requires something special to get started feeding. It can be time consuming, but worth every minute when you succeed one baby at a time. I think I spend more time dedicated to problem feeders...but I care, and it's good to know that patience usually pays off.
Have you tried entice feeding yet?
 
I have tried "entice" feeding on a couple of them briefly. I knew that I would have some stubborn eaters but I was not expecting so many. I'm kinda overwhelmed with them. 14 of the first clutch and 1 of the second are still refusing. All of the others(24) are taking f/t no problem. As I said I do not have an endless supply of pinks but at least I do breed my own (I have about 75 female mice that supply my whole collection and one local pet store). I guess I'll try a bit of what you both recommended on them tonight. I'll start by washing all of them with detergent(the pinks:eek:), then guess I'll try the hot head method followed by the enticing. I tried split braining on one overnight last night to no avail. I really do want to be able to overcome this, on most of them anyway, as it will be good experience for me, as I plan to continue breeding them over the years to come. Lord knows I'll have at least 8 females ready to go for next season :eek:(I know this number is childs play for some of you). Thanks for the advice and I'll post back as I have success.
 
I do have some success to report. I won't know exactly how many until morning, as I am not going to peek in. The method was washing and rinsing the pinks then returning them to a cup of hot water. Took them out with tongs so I did not touch them and then braining, leaving in overnight. At least 4 of the non eaters took their first meal before I left the reptile building. I'll post back tomorrow as to how many more decided to eat... thanks for all the help:)
 
I ended up with 10 non-feeders taking their first meal last night with this method:D. Only 5 left to go now!
 
Alright! Just don't run out of patience. The few you've "tricked" now, may only need to be "tricked" one or two more times then you'll be in the clear. Best of luck with the rest of them.

BTW...the super-hot-water-dipping trick;) in my experience was dipping the heads only. I dunno if dipping the whole pinkie like you've done is better/worse/or indifferent:shrugs:.
 
Oh, just to clarify, the water I used was not scalding hot, just pretty hot. By the time I got the pink out of the cup patted it dry with a paper towel, brained it, and place into the container with the hatchling, it had cooled off a bit as well. I only used the hot water approach to bring them up to a nice temp as I pulled one at a time, after I had washed and rinsed the whole batch at once. I don't think Id recommend feeding a scalding hot whole pink to any snake. The head only, as you said would probably be just fine (a little something to catch their attention).
 
Tried dipping my pinks in heated tuna juice last night, got 6 hatclings started eating!! I forget who offered that suggestion, but...THANK YOU !!
 
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