Still not feeding on their own

[jason]

I've force fed my two awkward hatchlings twice, so tonight I tried to feed them like the other good feeders. I put pinkies into their containers and left them for a couple of hours with no luck. One of them even opens his mouth easily when I push the pinkie on it's nose to start to force feed. It does the 'sideways chomping' action about four times and just lies there with the pink in its mouth, with no intention of swallowing the meal. I'm not keen on continuing to force feed as I read they get used to the idea and may never 'get it' but I'm equally not keen on letting it starve to death.

If they had even the slightest hint of aggression then they may respond to tease feeding, but that is a non starter.

I get the feeling they may be a lost cause.

What would you guys do? Would you continue to force feed in the vague hope they finally 'get it' or keep on using various scenting methods, dropping food into their containers until they either eat or die?

[John Pilling]

I would force feed another couple of times, say 5 in total, then leave it a week and leave them with a pink over night (assuming they have their ownviv/tank/box) just to see what happens.

[Vicki]

I have one that I used to force feed as like yours it didnt respond at all to tease feeding. I force fed it twice then just left the pinkie in the box.

I usually feed my little ones about 8-9pm and always found that this particular one would never eat while it could still sence movement in the house. My hatchlings are in a small room with a glass pannel door which I always shut after feeding. I find though that if i just leave it in overnight it has gone by morning. This hatchling is now on fuzzies and I still have to leave it overnight.

I warm the pinkie as usual, then show him the fuzzie and just leave him to it.

If this fails would assist feeding a few times work for you? Just pop the pinkie in the mouth then keep hold of the hatchling until it has eaten. If this works then the next time try putting in back in its box when it has half eaten, then the next time as soon as it takes the pinkie. Thats what I did with one of mine that I has to assist feed. It took about 4-5 weeks before it ate on its own using this method.

[jason]

Cheers Vicki / John,

I tried assist feeding last light, one of them had the pink in it's mouth for about 10 minutes then dropped it and backed away.

I'll put a pink in each container as soon as I go to bed tonight, if it doesn't work then I'll force feed them tomorrow and repeat the process two more times every five days. If they have not eaten on their own after ten days then I'll just have to leave them to their own devices and continue to drop pinkies in for as long as they are alive to take them. Maybe now they have experienced full bellys, once the hunger pangs kick in they may just go for it.

[Vicki]

Just a little tip... when assist feeding them, you have to keep really really still once they have taken the pinkie in their mouth. Dont even breathe until its all eaten!! I find the slightest movement does startle them and cause them to drop it. Or you can keep it in the mouth with the tongs, but dont push it down like you would a force feed

Unfortunatly sometimes you will get little ones that will never eat and will die as a result. But keep your chin up, you have done great so far and im sure they will respond soon. Its usually the ones who wont even force feed (or just bring it straight back up again) that dont make it.

[jason]

The funny thing is, I put him down with the pink in his mouth... I thought he had gone into shock or something. I watched him, sitting really still, breathing out the side of my mouth! Not even blinking! A few minutes later, he backed off the pink and tried to slither away. Arrrrgh, so infuriating!

[Vicki]

I know what you mean! Try keeping hold of him next time and see what happens. Mine did exactly the same, and through trial and error I found that keeping hold of him worked. I hope it works for youre little guy aswell

Another plus point is that I have a really good reptile shop that will help me out if im stuck. They helped me with Hope (thread is somewhere on here) and showed me exactly how to force feed etc.

Im sure everything will be fine, now they have had one meal you have a good few weeks to get another meal down them, and at least you know they will take to force feeding if neccesary.

[jason]

I remembered your tuna scenting idea Vicki, so I tried it tonight on one of the non feeders and Bingo! It worked a treat Thanks.

Now I just have to get the other one eating after he sheds in a couple of days.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again Vicki

[dnsdeb]

Thays great news Jason... Well done!!
Just be patient and keep going
5 out of the 7 corns at the pet shop also ate unaided on thursday for the first time ever.
I had one total refusal and one assist, but I'm so relieved.
The girl at the shop has managed to increase temps in the vivs so I think that had something to do with it too.
Anyway keep us posted on the other one.
And again.... WELL DONE!!

[jason]

Hey Deb, thanks for your advice the other day aswell. I've never had two snakes that were just so bloody awkward!

[Vicki]

Yay Jason, good result!! I hope the other one feeds for you aswell