Weight gain.

[Wizwise2000]

Nita,

My females are only around 450g right now. I was feeding every 4 days. And as Mykee said, 10-20g rats aren't hard to get, they are just a few days old. I stopped feeding every 4 days and moved it to every 7. I also feed just a little larger.

I don't want them growing really quickly and being too fat like Mark and Mykee has mentioned either. I certainly don't want them going off feed. I had one fast for a couple months, she looked fine, but lost around 90g. She's eating again after giving her a gerbil. Hopefully she'll accept a rat this week.

Mark and Mykee, thank you for the information, it's appreciated!

Many thanks for all the replies everyone!

Shane

[Ray]

it's all about common sens.Than you reach most.
I am with you Mark I'am glad whe can lurn a lot from you guys.


Ray

[Bristen]

here's a question to you experienced folks... I purchased a few females (received them last month I believe)... they are CH03. 4 of them were quite small (111g, 176g, 178g and 200g). What do you folks think of these females with regards to the 2005 - 2006 breeding season? Any chance? They are currently pretty good eaters... they eat every 5 days like clockwork (unless in shed). Even if I manage to get them to size in time, how unhealthy would that be for them?

All opinions are welcome...

Thanks,
Bristen.

[mykee]

Bristen, no chance in hell that they'll be up to size in less than a years' time. EVEN if they were 03's like you said (which by thier size, I doubt) there's just no way you can SAFELY put over 1300g on a yearling and expect her to give you eggs the following year.

Completely aside from your original question; who would be irresponsible enough to sell 03' animals that are between 100-200g?! That's terrible!! Those animals are SO very undersized it's not even funny. If they only gained 200g in even a year, they are really poor eaters, regardless of how they've eaten for you, and you may have to wait until the 2011/12 season to get them up to size at this rate.