Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,

Had a very small clutch of 3 babies hatch out 5 days ago and they have thus far shown no interest what-so-ever in eating. I have tried live pinkies and brained, thawed frozen pinkies. I noticed this morning that their eyes have glazed over as though they are going into shed mode, so I figured I'd leave them be till they shed, but how long is too long without feeding? Isn't it a little too soon for them to be shedding, anyway? I plan to try the brained pinkies again after shed and if that doesn't work cut them in half and see if they'll go for that. Anything else I should or shouldn't be doing at this stage? Don't want to lose these guys, they are really nice specimens. Thanks in advance for any advice you care to offer...........

I just got a pair of bairdi ratsnakes...what you may want to consider trying is cutting off a mouse tail and literally shoving it down their throats. then once they get that idea that its food they may be more willing to eat the next time. i just tired this i have not fed an actual mouse yet but im going to try tomorrow.

also have you tried the deli cup trick? take a brained pink and put it with the snake in a delicup overnight do not look at it or anything and see if it'll eat then? usually they will...but of course mine wouldnt lol. hope they get eating! i'll let you know if the tail trick works for me
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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

Battling ignorance one stupid person at a time.

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat(Lola)
1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds ("Bill" and "The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo" )

Not 5 days after hatching I hope.. Just wait a few weeks...

>>I just got a pair of bairdi ratsnakes...what you may want to consider trying is cutting off a mouse tail and literally shoving it down their throats. then once they get that idea that its food they may be more willing to eat the next time. i just tired this i have not fed an actual mouse yet but im going to try tomorrow.
>>
>>also have you tried the deli cup trick? take a brained pink and put it with the snake in a delicup overnight do not look at it or anything and see if it'll eat then? usually they will...but of course mine wouldnt lol. hope they get eating! i'll let you know if the tail trick works for me
>>-----
>>The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin
>>
>>Battling ignorance one stupid person at a time.
>>
>>Current snakes:
>>0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat(Lola)
>>1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
>>1.1 Texas Bairds ("Bill" and "The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo" )
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Marcel Poots (Holland)
'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

Hi,

Bairds are definately on my wish list....did you get yours from Jim Demirjian? The pics on his site are amazing........someday......

Thanks for your advice too.......

Later,

David

>>Hi All,
>>
>>Had a very small clutch of 3 babies hatch out 5 days ago and they have thus far shown no interest what-so-ever in eating. I have tried live pinkies and brained, thawed frozen pinkies. I noticed this morning that their eyes have glazed over as though they are going into shed mode, so I figured I'd leave them be till they shed, but how long is too long without feeding? Isn't it a little too soon for them to be shedding, anyway? I plan to try the brained pinkies again after shed and if that doesn't work cut them in half and see if they'll go for that. Anything else I should or shouldn't be doing at this stage? Don't want to lose these guys, they are really nice specimens. Thanks in advance for any advice you care to offer...........

Just wait for them to shed and then try feeding them.
They usually shed around 7 to 10 days after hatching.
Most, or should I say a lot of, people wait until after this first shed to attempt feeding.
Leave them alone until they shed and then that evening or even the following evening put the hatchling and the pinkie in a deli cup and leave them alone. I usually just put the deli cup back in the snake's box. If the pinkie hasn't been eaten within a couple of hours just leave them undisturbed overnight and check in the morning.
If this doesn't work then get back to us and we can work from there.
Don't worry yet there is time.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Jimmy,

Thanks for the advice.....I feel alot less stressed knowing that simple bit of info.....thanks again for taking the time to respond.....

Regards,

David

>>Like I said, try this and if it doesn't work let us know.
We will be glad to offer more suggestions as needed.
Hopefully all will be well but we will be here.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)