Feeding schedule?

[riddick07]

Originally Posted by DLLNP

I love how infrequently boas feed, nice on the wallet!

I know what you mean! My adult Chinese beauty is eating 2 small rats every week and has hardly gained any weight. He still acts hungry after eating the two

[Andy_G]

The larger the prey item, the more spaced out the meals should be. I had one huge female that would take a guinea pig or small rabbit once a month or jumbo rats every 2-3 weeks. I would switch back and forth for her. The bulk of the other boas would get a medium-jumbo every 2-3 weeks.

I would also get a boa on rats as soon as possible. They are born large enough to take pinkie rats and don't really ever need to be offered a mouse unless it's the choice of the keeper for some reason (cost, availability, etc.).

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

The larger the prey item, the more spaced out the meals should be. I had one huge female that would take a guinea pig or small rabbit once a month or jumbo rats every 2-3 weeks. I would switch back and forth for her. The bulk of the other boas would get a medium-jumbo every 2-3 weeks.

I would also get a boa on rats as soon as possible. They are born large enough to take pinkie rats and don't really ever need to be offered a mouse unless it's the choice of the keeper for some reason (cost, availability, etc.).

The more formed the prey item, the more nutritious. Also, the milk belly can cause stomach upset in boas. It's not overly common, but it's common enough I've seen a lot of breeders completely avoid nursing rats/mice with their boas after losing a few babies to it.

They switch incredibly easy, so it's best to feed mice until they can eat jumbo adult mice, and then make the switch rats. Which I think should be weaned rats?

[Andy_G]

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

The more formed the prey item, the more nutritious. Also, the milk belly can cause stomach upset in boas. It's not overly common, but it's common enough I've seen a lot of breeders completely avoid nursing rats/mice with their boas after losing a few babies to it.

They switch incredibly easy, so it's best to feed mice until they can eat jumbo adult mice, and then make the switch rats. Which I think should be weaned rats?

I always did just rats, even with "fresh into this world" neonates and it's not something I had an issue with, but something to think about, I guess. They are definitely the easiest to switch over.

You'd be looking at pup to weanling size.