Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 31 hachlings now all housed in there own little "corn condos." They're all less than a week old, but some have shed already.

I have a large number of frozen pinks I plan to offer (after thawing, obviously), but was wondering what the typical success rate with getting them to take f/t as their first meal? All my adult snakes are fed f/t without problem.

In the past few years I have been putting live pinks in with the newly hatching snakes. As they crawl out of their shell, some will eat immediately within 5 min. of hatching! Then I can remove the fat ones to their own box. Most people tell you to wait, but if they eat the day they hatch, I feel they will be good to go and not need extra attention. That way I can concentrate on the few that won't eat right away. Last year some 50% or more ate the day they hatched for me. Try it.
:Mark

Hi!
Last night I just fed a little over 60 hatchlings for the first time with frozen thawed pinks and only one didn't eat! I was sure amazed! Usually the first time the refusal rate is higher. Anyhow, when I thaw them out, the pinks are in a plastic ziplock bag held down in very warm water. I check them after about twenty minutes and they are usually thawed out, and I refill with very warm water. And leave sit for five minutes. To make sure the pinks are warm when placed in the babies deli cups. I keep my babies in deli cups for the first many months of life. They hide if they want under the paper towel. When I feed I take out the water dish and if the baby is underneath the paper towel, I take that out too and carefully drop the pinkie in but not let it touch the baby or baby will become disturbed and may not eat. I then put the lid on carefully and put deli cup back in it's spot. I try to feed in the evening right before lights go out. Which is what I did last night. When a baby is kept in close quarters with the pinkie and the lights go out, and it's time to be active, they usually will eat. With problem feeders, well, first realize that not every baby is meant to make it. Then first try braining the pinkie before putting it in. Even try feeding just the head. If you can, feed a live pinkie. Some of my snakes are so picky, they do best on live or fresh killed. Lizard scenting is another trick to use, though I've never had to resort to it myself. Either buy an anole and keep it alive or freeze it. Wash pinkie in water to rid of mouse scent best you can, then rub pinkie against anole. Which naturally works best with a living anole, more smell. Another method I've heard used is dip pinkie in condensed chicken broth. Never tried it myself. I'm a bit harsh I'm sure, but when a baby isn't eating and live doesn't work, I usually put them down. I just feel if they don't start off strong, they usually live a life of being hard feeders. And what if that's genetic? Do I want a whole clutch of problem feeders? I've got a young adult female snow that requires live fuzzy rats just to eat! Otherwise she rarely eats. Her babies, well the jury is still out on that one! We'll see how they do, cause they do have a father who is an eating machine. Good luck with your babies! Wish feeding was my biggest headache. For me, finding new homes for them all is, cause I live in the sticks of North Dakota of all places. So I have to travel a good ways to find homes for them, but I can't help but love seeing baby corns popping out of eggs every summer.
What a wonderful addiction huh?
Russell Keys
Keys Reptiles

It's not a large number but I recenetly got an anery and a snow before their first shed or feeding.
After they shed they imediately ate F/T pinkies and have been eating them since.
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Jimmy (draybar)