Power feeding

MTCvenom · 04-10-06, 12:16 AM

Has anybody ever experienced shorten life spans in your animals due to power feeding. I read on another forum that some experts believe power feeding can lead to a shorten life span. So if you don't mind give me your opinion and personal experiences of power feeding.

Badger-X · 04-10-06, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTCvenom

Has anybody ever experienced shorten life spans in your animals due to power feeding. I read on another forum that some experts believe power feeding can lead to a shorten life span. So if you don't mind give me your opinion and personal experiences of power feeding.

I have spoken to a reptile vet about this exact topic and his advice was that it is hard on the animal as the body grows fast and the internal organs lag behind. So, for instance, the boa gets big but has an underdeveloped liver or heart. As he put it, it is bound to shorten the lifespan.

Tom

gonesnakee · 04-10-06, 02:56 PM

Have I ever experienced problems due to power feeding my animals NO. Why? because I don't power feed them! Have I ever witnessed any problems due to power feeding YES I have seen lots of female Pythons die in others collections at 3-4 years old after maybe producing 1 or 2 clutches if any at all. I know of at least 3 female womas that died really young due to what I belive was power feeding, in 1 case I'm positve thats why the 1 died at like 2 yo. Buddy was feeding it Jumbo rats when I was feeding mine from the same years clutches Jumbo mice still. Wasn't long after I saw her with a huge lump from one in her that she just up & died one day for "no apparrent reason". Also know Boa breeders that have lost females at 3-4 years old due to power feeding as well. Power feeding is a big NO NO & anyone with any ethics would never even consider it. I hope this post does not mean you are remotely even considering doing so, BAD IDEA & a good way to take 15-20 years off of any snakes life. Power feed her & have her produce maybe once a year or 2 earlier & then die or grow her up slow over 3-5 years & have a big healthy breeder give you many many clutches over the years instead of suffering a painfull death to liver or kidney disease etc. Its a no brainer. If you are really greedy & just in it for the quick cash power feed them like crazy & if you are lucky get a clutch or 2 before you kill them off. Mark

MTCvenom · 04-10-06, 03:11 PM

I never even thought of power feeding any of my snakes. I have a friend/buisness partner that I'm try to convience to stop power feeding.

gonesnakee · 04-10-06, 03:20 PM

Good for you then. I would seriously reconsider him/her as a business partner. Aside from having no ethics or caring for the animals, they won't be much of an investment anymore as they begin to die off. I'd go solo or find someone more worthy to be in business with. Power feeding is not an acceptable practice & doing so shortens the lifespan of any animal & opens the door for all sorts of heart, liver, kidney etc. ailments leading up to an eventual fatality. Young females are most likely to become eggbound their first clutches as well, specially if they have not been recv. proper exercise as all their energy goes into disgestion & fat build up on internal organs is not healthy for any animal of any species. Mark

Todd Peddle · 04-10-06, 05:08 PM

I totally agree with Mark on this one.Power fed snakes die very quick and unhealthly lives(very short lives).
I myself have never over fed any of my snakes and all appear to be in great health.I intend to breed boas and im in no rush to breed any female to fast.If its takes 2.5,3 or 4 years for them to breed than ill wait till then.I'll just have more time for research,etc.
Hope your bussiness partner see's what he's doing wrong and takes your advice.If not like Mark said go on your own or find another partner.
Godd luck
Todd P.