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mdolan7653 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 06:25 PM

Ok well Ive only just got my first columbian red tialed boa...she is 33" and a female. I used to keep burms. Well i just want to get everyones advise on feeding ect. So i will post my schedule and everyone else do the same and comment on everyones schedules but no arguing everyone does things differently...this way it could be a healthy way for everyone to maybe even get a better schedule.... here goes

33"(now)- SHE GETS 2 adult mice a week

40"- 1 small rat a week

54"- 1 medium rat a week

66"- 1 large rat every 10 days

78"- rabbit 1/7 of body weight every 2 weeks

90"- rabbit 1/8.5 of body weight every 2 weeks

8'+- rabbit 1/10 of body weight every 2-3 weeks

As you all can see mine is very sepcific thats what im looking for the more specific the better
thanks alot
Mike

tmlowe5704 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdolan7653

Ok well Ive only just got my first columbian red tialed boa...she is 33" and a female. I used to keep burms. Well i just want to get everyones advise on feeding ect. So i will post my schedule and everyone else do the same and comment on everyones schedules but no arguing everyone does things differently...this way it could be a healthy way for everyone to maybe even get a better schedule.... here goes
33"(now)- SHE GETS 2 adult mice a week
40"- 1 small rat a week
54"- 1 medium rat a week
66"- 1 large rat every 10 days
78"- rabbit 1/7 of body weight every 2 weeks
90"- rabbit 1/8.5 of body weight every 2 weeks
8'+- rabbit 1/10 of body weight every 2-3 weeks
As you all can see mine is very sepcific thats what im looking for the more specific the better
thanks alot
Mike

i would not go by that. you can have a real skinny and a real fat snake both 7' but both need 2 different sizes of food

0bites · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

i would not go by that. you can have a real skinny and a real fat snake both 7' but both need 2 different sizes of food

I agree,
I have no specific feedng schedule, i just play it by ear depending on time of year/ size of last meal (may differ depending on availability)/ If they're actively 'hunting' etc.....

RioBravoReptiles · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0bites

... I have no specific feedng schedule, i just play it by ear depending on time of year/ size of last meal (may differ depending on availability)/ If they're actively 'hunting' etc.....

.
You are approaching the Boa-keeper equivalent of a Zen master..
.
Gus.

Oukan · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 07:15 PM

My way of knowing what sizes to feed my snakes is by looking at the largest part of the snake's body and feeding it something no more then that same width around. So as it grows, its food will grow too. But it wont get fed too much or too little. And I feed every Saturday.

0bites · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2006, 07:19 PM

Thanx Gus,
Must be all the good advice from the keepers on here.

Mcfly · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oukan

My way of knowing what sizes to feed my snakes is by looking at the largest part of the snake's body and feeding it something no more then that same width around. So as it grows, its food will grow too. But it wont get fed too much or too little. And I feed every Saturday.

Thats it, I have a female that is 34" & I feed a adult rat every 6-10 days depending on my schedule. No more no less...

mdolan7653 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 05:38 PM

well if your fgemale is 34" and eating large reats you are going to kill her unless you have completley different rat sizes where you live because in PA large rats are about 225 grams and about 3 inches at the thickest part of their body and im sorry but no boa is 34" with a 3" girth

Oukan · #9 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 09:57 PM

Lets not get rude now.

mdolan7653 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 01:48 AM

im not tryion to be rude i didnt mean it like that but doesnt everyone agree that a 34" snake should not be fed LARGE rats>

mdolan7653 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 01:48 AM

and 1 more thing is anyone actually going to post there feeding schedules like i asked

Rust316 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 02:15 AM

We apply a very conservative approach. Generally speaking, we follow the girth rule with some exceptions (e.g., undersized items for bccs; oversized for rainbows) and feed young boas every seven to nine days and boas a year or older every 9 to 21 days. Older boas get bigger items less frequently. Our boas usually get hungry within these parameters and we resist feeding the piglets any sooner. This is the best I can do for ya.

Oukan · #13 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 03:40 AM

Pretty much its not a very strict science. Each snake is different. Some grow faster then others. And some grow bigger then others. The way you feed it all depends on what you think is right. I feed mine once a week cause they are young. They need nice sized mice. If the snake cant eat it, then dont feed it to it. But make sure that its atlease as big around or slightly smaller then the largest part of the snake's body. And trust me. We dont feed mice to our snakes all thier lives. Mice and rats are only beginning foods. When a snake gets so big that a rat is no longer a full meal for it. Then either give it more then one rat, or a larger prey item. Some feed the larger breeds of snakes, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and so on. But I would stick to only vegi eating animals. They are more healthier prey food for your pets.

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