Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am expecting a reasonable amount of eggs from my colubrids next year ,so I am getting ready for them food wise.
Is it better to take the whole litter of mice pinkys at once so that the female can get on with making more or is it better to leave 2 or 3 with her to use up the milk that she produces ?
Thank's

>>I am expecting a reasonable amount of eggs from my colubrids next year ,so I am getting ready for them food wise.
>>Is it better to take the whole litter of mice pinkys at once so that the female can get on with making more or is it better to leave 2 or 3 with her to use up the milk that she produces ?
>> Thank's

I often pull the whole litter, especially if I do it in the first 24hrs. I feel less guilty if there are other babies to be raised in the tub, but either way works. I do like to leave the first couple of litters per mom if I can....so she learns to raise them. But it isn't a hard and fast rule. Right now I need fuzzys, so that is a bit easier.
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Sonya

Personally, if it's the only litter in the tub I wouldn't take them all. It's better if other pups are in there for her to tend to, although I did have one of my girls kill all of her next litter after I took all of her newborns that were being squashed by older babies I was growing out.

Just food for thought,
MissHissss

I think it depends. I generally try to not take them all. I think it is good for the mother to nurse for the normal three weeks. If the cage is crowded with older babies I might take all the pinkies rather than have them smother or starve. The mother will continue to nurse the older babies.

Taking the pinkies or not will not change the amount of time until the next litter. It is going to take the mother 3 weeks for the next batch weather she is nursing or not.
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Wade's Weptiles & Wodents

Actually Wade and I agree on everything, it's just that he worded it better. Thanks.

MissHisssss