Need Help (Feeding Tricks)

[maploosh]

I have 2 baby brb's that I cannot for the life of me start getting them to eat. They were born Aug 1st and still have not ate anything. All 13 others from the clutch ate no problem. I am just getting a little worried about them. I have tried f/t and live pinkie mice with no luck. Does anybody have any tricks or know anything I can try. Your input would be very helpful.
Thanks
Matt

[atropabelladona]

have you tried braining? Its kinda messy but its been effective for me more often than not.

[maploosh]

What is braining? Can someone explain this to me.
Matt

[Brennan]

Make a slit with a knife along the food items nose or top of head. If nothing comes out, squeeze around the area until something (brains) secretes out. This makes the food item smell a lot better to your brb...hopefully.
Let us know how it works out,
Brennan

[gonesnakee]

Try small live fuzzies. Quite often with baby carpets they won't eat unless it has some hair on it. May work in your case as well. What have you tried? You state what prey you tried, but no methods. State methods attempted & we can go from there. Like have they been contained overnight with prey in delicups etc. & how often have you already tried? They are just over 3 weeks old so it is no big deal as long as they are well hydrated. Make sure you are not continually pestering them trying to feed them as it will turn them off food even longer. I would have only attempted twice (once weekly after first shed) by now myself. Remember they did nothing but eat until they hatched & there is a good chance they are living off of their "yolk guts" still. Mark

[maploosh]

Mark,
I have tried leaving them overnight in containers with live pinkies, also I have tried the same with dead pinkies. I have warmed up the pinkies. I have pestered them with food though (I have tried quite a bit). I will give them a few days without trying anything. I have not attempted a live fuzzie yet. How long can they go without eating their first meal? Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it.
Matt

[gonesnakee]

As long as they are well hydrated & not appearing to be weak or lethargic they will be good for even upto 2 months, but thats pushing it for most babies. Hopefully after a little break they will take something for you. Are they also individually contained for housing? If not give them their own "homes" right away, sometimes that will help. Also I find that if you give them a real small home & instead of "cupping them" for feeding & then feed them in their house. This way no stress from moving to a cup from the house etc. I will use small houses & then at night throw in 2 or 3 prey items, at both ends & in the middle. That way they hopefully won't just avoid the prey as the pinkies are apt to try & snuggle up with them & with 2 or 3 its hard for them to avoid them. Eventually they get POed at them & eat em. Good Luck Mark
P.S. it never hurts to alternate between live & dead prey as sometimes they are intimidated by the live pinkies silly snakes! Braining is also worth a try as mentioned above.