This is so frustrating!
7 babies-most of them feed sporadically, some not at all.
#1, the odd anery, is still having to be assist-fed pinky mice (won't even look at them and will only swallow them if their heads are stuffed in its mouth) and he is getting super-skinny. I've been having to tube feed him nutrients. Last time I assist fed him was 7-30 and I thought I'd give him two weeks to see if he'd feed on his own-nada. Just curls up in a ball, doesn't hiss, doesn't strike-he doesn't even strike at me! He is only 51 g as of 8-13.
#2 is eating on his own just fine, f/t even. He's eaten f/t for me 8-3/8-20 & 8-15, weighs in at 66g as of 8/13.
#3 has only eaten live for me on 7-18 & 7-24. Won't look at f/t for anything. Tried live again after that, and nada. Won't even look. Just hisses and curls up in a ball like #1. This one is also getting skinny. He weighs 48 g as of 8/13. I'm going to try live again this weekend.
#4 has eaten on 7-13 (live), 7-30 & 8-10 (f/t), so I think he's doing ok. Weighs in at 62 g as of 8/13.
#5 has only eaten once for me, an f/t on 7-30 but refused every f/t after that. He's at 62 g as of 8/13. Going to try live this weekend.
#6 has only eaten live for me as of 7-24, and hasn't taken a meal (live or f/t) since. I had to assist-feed him a pinky mouse on 8-3, and is at 52g as of 8/13. He is also looking skinny, but not nearly as bad as #1 and #3. I'm going to try live again this weekend.
#7 ate f/t on 8/3 and hasn't taken a meal since. I have not tried live with this one either, as he is at 79 g as of 8/13.
When they refuse, they curl up in a ball after some hissing and little striking. I've taken all of them to the vet, no parasites or anything-the vet is boggled too. All of them have shed recently. #2 only took his meal today after I annoyed the hell out of him with it.
Are baby boas normally this much trouble to start feeding?
Their temps are at 88 warm end, 75 cool end. Each has a hide area and a water dish. They are all on a rack system each in their own 15qt. sterilite tub. I have tried chicken broth, braining, lizard scent-none of it works. assist-feeding only works after alot of repeating putting the pinky in their mouth-and I do mean ALOT of repeating.
I'm most worried about #1, #3, and #6. I'm going to try live again for #6, but #1 and #3 are the worst-won't even look twice at live.
Should I continue assist-feeding if the live doesn't work this time? What should I do? These guys are almost two months old now-they should be eating fine on their own according to most literature I can find (which is very little, unfortunately.)
-cat
