Feeding schedual for Kenyans

[Cas]

Well, I'm going to try feeding my sand boa hatchlings that I got at the Edmonton show for the first time today, so wish me luck.....

I was wondering, how often should I feed these guys? I feed my young corns every 5 days.... is this suitable for hatchling kenyans, or should I feed them less frequently than that?

http://www.pbase.com/cassiadawn/snakes

Thanks,
Dawn

[Invictus]

I feed my kenyans larger meals less often. Most of them will only take food every 2 weeks, even when I do offer them more than that. So, it really depends what you are feeding them. Our baby kenyans take fuzzies down with no problems. Some kenyans prefer smaller prey, so you'll have to feed more often.

So, before I ramble too much, how old is your kenyan, and what are you feeding it?

[B-Rep]

Feed your young Kenyan every 7 days. I have raised HORDS of young Kenyans and that works the best for me. I also feel it's good to have very regimented feeding, especially for young animals.

If he/she refuses a meal there are a number of things you can do. You can disipline it, and send it to it's hide box to think about what it's done. ( Yes that was a joke. )

You can dip the pinky/fuzzy into Egg Yolk, or Chicken broth...This generally triggers a feeding response and I have NEVER had problems feeding when the prey item has been dipped in chicken broth. You can also pick up some lizard scent at your local pet shop...Expensive stuff that doesn't work half as good.

Oh and by the way, nice looking Kenyans!:D

[Stockwell]

It's not super critical. Every week is ideal, but I feed mine when I have the pinkies, and the time.
For maximum growth every 5 to 7 days... but don't worry about going a couple weeks occasionally..
Snakes don't have calendars.
Technically we don't call Kenyans "hatchlings" simply because they don't hatch...they are born live, so babies or neonates is the preferred term.

If you find yours doesn't eat, here's a couple tips
1. keep in small deli container
2. keep in a paritculate substrate that completely covers the snake. They strike from below..ambush feeders
3. Offer LIVE prey in total darkess at 85F

[Cas]

Thanks all.... both 'kids' fed, although I had to reheat the pinky and make it dance a bit for the female (I fed them both in deli cups). As far as size, I'm not sure on length yet, but the male's about as thick as my pinky and the female is smaller - the pinky I gave her made a decent lump in her middle.

I do have a couple more questions..... like, what's the 'appropriate' size of mouse to feed these guys? I'm used to cornsnakes and feeding to make a noticable lump - does this apply to kenyan's too?

Also, for how many days after feeding should I leave them alone? My corns I do 1-2 days, my black pine I do 2-3 days...

And, Stockwell... I've read a few posts in the archives where you mentioned alpha and beta chip - do you keep and feed hatchlings on this substrate, or just adults?

Thanks,
Dawn

[Invictus]

Originally posted by Cas
[B]I do have a couple more questions..... like, what's the 'appropriate' size of mouse to feed these guys? I'm used to cornsnakes and feeding to make a noticable lump - does this apply to kenyan's too?

Some would disagree with me here, but I say yes. Leave a significant lump in their belly. Our neonates got fuzzies the day we brought them home, and though their mouths are small, they are still boas. They stretch like you wouldn't believe. Some Kenyans will refuse large prey items though - in this case, as I said before, give them a smaller item more often.

Also, for how many days after feeding should I leave them alone? My corns I do 1-2 days, my black pine I do 2-3 days...

I usually give them at least 4, maybe 5. (Unless you're feeding them every 5 days.) 3 should be ok though.

[Stockwell]

Dawn, I keep both neonate and adults on Alpha and Beta. I can honestly say that I have even raised them through their complete life cycle on Beta Chip... From neonates to reproductive adults.
Sure they ingest a bit, but I have never had a single complication.
It goes right through them.
I've over 15 years experience with BETA, and about a year ago switched to Alpha only because it doesn't stain water bowls as bad and doesn't seem to mould as quickly as BETA if it gets wet.
Another product from the same supplier(Nepco) is Aspen Chip...
It's very popular in the US, and Jeff F is using it in BC
I just can't get it in southern Ontario, as my supplier doesn't stock it.

Kenyans have very good digestive systems. They can take huge meals, which they digest fast. It's almost unheard of for them to regurge.
This is in extreme contrast to baby rosies, which can't handle big meals at all.