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jakeus
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 16 Jan 2007
Posts: 664
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 Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject: Feeding Questions! |
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Ok, so i started live feeding the other day. JUST TO GET THEM BACK INTO FEEDING AS THEY HAVEN'T FED SINCE I GOT THEM FROM THEIR PREVIOUS OWNER!
Firstly, the two males ate fine. One has actually had three good sized rats since Wednesday!  
Then the female...she is BIG for an 07 but hasnt fed since ive had her! I offered her a rat on wednesday...constantly striking but missing. Hitting her head on the tub walls. A couple times she got the rat on the head but didnt pullit back and constrict.
Is this because she doesnt want to feed? Maybe she is being defensive and just trying to scare the rat!? I would have though after 4 months she would have been desperate for a meal!
Another thing, is it possible to OVER feed? Like i say, he has eaten 3 three week old rats and he was only 154 grams last weigh in march and hasnt eaten since then so im guessing didnt put on any weight!
Sorry to keep going on and no, i don't want a big argument about livefeeding.
Thanks,
Jake |
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quasimodo
Forum Granny
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 1017
Location: Over the Hill in Horsham
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| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Jake, yes I think that the female is just being defensive. One of mine does that when she does NOT want to feed thankyou very much  She is telling the rat to clear off. Overfeeding ? Yes you can, but as your one had not eaten for a while it should be OK. If he eats too much he could throw it back up at you - Yuk. Not a good idea  If it stayed down then you have got away with it.
Sue |
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jakeus
CaptiveBred Addict!
Joined: 16 Jan 2007
Posts: 664
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| Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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Well i guess its good that he hasnt brought yesterdays dinner up! 
I just dont know why the female isnt eating...the breeder i bought her off always gave rats so i dont think it could be that. Its getting quite bad, to the point that her belly caves in and she just looks so ill and empty.  
Any suggestions to get her feeding? |
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quasimodo
Forum Granny
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 1017
Location: Over the Hill in Horsham
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| Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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| jakeus wrote: | | Any suggestions to get her feeding? |
Oh wish that I knew a foolproof way, they can be a real pain-up-the-left-armpit to get feeding. One of my girls is exactly the same, tummy beginning to go in when held up Work your way through this little lot of suggestions, then start at the beginning again...
Put her into a small tub with an even smaller hide box.
Keep covered except to allow air in.
Put into pillow case with food item and leave in warm dark place overnight.
Make sure the head of the food item is quite hot - most on this Forum use a hair-dryer
Give her a good talking to
Change food item, i.e. rats, mice, multi-mammate, even gerbil. Problem with this one is that you have to be sure that you can easily provide the new super-food every week, and gerbils are costly.
Let us know how you get on, all the best.
Sue |
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Dracowoman2
Captivebred Colonel
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 2205
Location: Gwent
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:04 am Post subject: |
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Much as Sue said really, try everything and then try again, I would leave a few days between trying food items though as you might just stress her out more. Also only try the hairdryer with defrosted rats otherwise you might get bitten You might need to try different size rats to get her going, and your not the only one in the boat as Sue said, I've also got one being particularly stubbord 
Have you checked and double checked your temps etc? Sometimes it can be the stupidest things that make things worse, and I think we've all had issues at some point or another with hotspots not being quite as hot as they should be for one reason or another, or you could try boosting the humidity a little sometimes that helps. I have other royals that eat like buckets, but some just like to worry you silly
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www.draco2.co.uk
"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"
Claire |
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Lynne
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Joined: 30 Jul 2007
Posts: 8265
Location: Kincardine-on-Forth
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:33 am Post subject: |
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if mine miss its cause they dont sense enough heat. i really am a fan of heating on light bulbs now. even if they dont need it. i went from 4 or 5 royals eating to 14. only been two weeks and god knows how long it will last, but i will heat as long as it does.
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Dracowoman2
Captivebred Colonel
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 2205
Location: Gwent
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:43 am Post subject: |
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Definately nothing like a rattie with a cooked head to do the job I have to say, although I still have a couple that are being resistant BEGGARS!! I'd get them flaming McDonalds if a) I wanted to poison them and b) I thought they'd actually eat it!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, the joys of royals, but it's so rewarding when they do eventually give in 
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www.draco2.co.uk
"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"
Claire |
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quasimodo
Forum Granny
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 1017
Location: Over the Hill in Horsham
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Dracowoman2 wrote: | | Also only try the hairdryer with defrosted rats otherwise you might get bitten : |
Now I know why I keep getting bitten |
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Dracowoman2
Captivebred Colonel
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 2205
Location: Gwent
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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_________________
www.draco2.co.uk
"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"
Claire |
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