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Pet store advice about feeding hatchlings...

Glad he ate for you! I agree with the Petco guy that the pink needs to be 101F. I thaw in hot water, just for a couple minutes, get the feeding container ready, run the pink under HOT water for a few seconds, then put it in the deli cup and put the snake in right away. Actually, I slit the mice up until the snake is on adult mice, too.

I'd feed him again in five days and do it exactly like the first time! After you have a couple meals in him you can start messing around with a feeding container and whatever, but since he has agreed to feed in a bag in his viv I'd just do that a few times.
 
Thanks Nanci! I definitely will continue with what works until he has some weight on him. He's such a neat little fellow. I really missed watching him roam the tank last night!
 
Yes congratulations are in order. Getting over that first feeding can be stressful for sure. I am sure he'll be packing on the wieght in no time.
 
He, now that he has eaten and come out of hiding and explored the tank, what does everyone think about handling? Should I get a few more good feeds in him before I get him out to play and get used to me? Or could I start bringing him out once a day for a few minutes, as dictated by feeding and waiting of course?
 
Well my logic is that it never hurts anything to wait a bit longer...especially with his feeding problem. I read on another thread that a feeding schedual should be established before handling and I think it probibly is right...well it makes since to me anyway :)
 
I skipped on handling him - the only time was to move him to the bag to weigh and feed him. Amazing news - when I dropped the hot pinkie in and took a careful look to make sure I didn't accidentally roll Mal up in the bag, he was already going for it. I left everything alone and watched him eat! I feel like he gave me a present, letting me see him go to town on that pinkie. Oh, and his weight? A whopping 6.8 grams! Up half a gram from last time!

So awesome. :D
 
Sounds like he's off and running with a vengeance! Congratulations. It does feel a bit like Christmas and birthdays all in one, when a reluctant feeder eventually decides to eat.
 
I read in a corn snake hand book that you can 'force feed' a snake, but its not as brutal as that. You can hold the snake at about 1/3 down from its head, having the main body section in the palm of your hand and offer a pinkie to it, hold the snake while it decides whether or not to strike. Apparently you can use tweeezers to tap the pinkie on the snakes tail so that it strikes it. Apparently then it will latch on and consume, but it is VITAL that you remain dead still and do not move the snake what so ever until it has been swallowed...

I'm saying this from memory from a book a week months ago, so check it up but im sure thats the way to do it..
 
i have not read all the posts so if i answer what someone else has i am sorry. i would first check the temps in the cage(obviously, im sure you have done this). if the baby has never eaten a meal yet you may just bite the bullit and try live. once you get him to eat then it will switch to f/t easily usually. also very hot water will actually slightly cook a pinky making the smell somewhat different, the snake may not like the "new" smell. if you thaw in water, do not exceed 150 degrees(another advantage to having a temp gun ;) ). you may also try putting the snake and the feeder in a small deli cup with a lid(and air holes) inside his cage overnight. if this does not work you could try braining the pinky. this is when you split the front of the head of the pink so to open up the brain cavity. you could also try putting a little bit of chick or quail down on the pinky. i hope between all of us we could help getting your baby to eat. and a side note, you are better to get advise from people with experience rather than a "petstore expert"...alot of pet stores think a snake is a snake and they all require the same care. good luck and i hope you get him chowin soon.
 
Hey Rick and Hopp, he is eating well now, but thanks so much for the generous advice!

I am a very happy snake mom! :)
 
Congrats on getting your baby to eat!

I know the feeling of getting a snake to let you watch it eat for the first time. Absolutely thrilling :))
 
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