BHP : getting hatchies to eat

[hph]

Been told by the breeder that its often difficult in getting bhp hatchies to eat and lot of them requires assist feeding in the beginning. Is this true ?

He is also selling them $100 cheaper than the avg price for a bhp hatchy.

[Gregory]

Pretty much Hong.

Who's are they?




Cheers, Greg.

[cris]

I would suggest that a big mac is cheaper than getting BHP hatchies to eat :wink:

[misky]

$100 cheaper than the average?
What's average?
They sell anywhere from $800 to in excess of $2000 as hatchies.

If someone's trying to tell you it's a good deal coz they're cheaper than everyone else's, and that the reason for this is that they are hard to get to feed, I'd be questioning the quality of the animals!

[paul4]

G'day mate
I have been breeding BHP's for about ten years and yes they can be a pain in the **** to get feeding.
I usually dont even attempt to feed them for the first couple of weeks or so unless they have not fully absorbed the egg yolk and then the animals are offered fuzzy rats. Those that do not feed voluntarily are assist fed for the next 4 or 5 feeds or until they take take it on there own. It gets easier each time after the first...
This is done by placing the rats head into the snakes mouth and gently pushed in until the rats head is completly inside the BHP's mouth . Push the snakes mouth closed and gently pull the rat backwards to get the snakes teeth to lock into the rats head.
Place the snake back into the cage or feeding container and hold the snake still by placing one hand onto the snakes body and the other hand holding the rat in place until the snake stops fighting and then release the snake completely and back up out of site or don't move a muscle. This can sometimes take as long as 20-30 mins so if you can get out of site this is best as if the snake sees you move it will quickly release the food item and the whole process will have to be repeated. This can take up to 5 attempts with some animals but i find it allways works for me.
Hope this info has been of some assistance and good luck !
Also it is best if you purchase an animal with feeding record although depending on your skill level and experience of raising hatchlings it can be beneficial to get animals cheaper straight out of the egg if you are up for the challenge.

[alumba]

or you can buy a BHP that is already feeding. You shouldnt buy anything that is not feeding anless you know what you are doing go to this website i know he has some for sale he has a very nice pair of nt BHP for sale and some QLD as well.

http://www.ultimatereptiles.com.au

[peterjohnson64]

Is the difficulty associated with getting them feeding related to the fact that are are natural reptile eaters adn we are trying to wean them on to rodents? If so, could you start a breeding colony of asian house geckoes? Also, would quail chicks be easier?

[Pythoninfinite]

It's the old reptile feeder thing Pete - they will normally hit a lizard or another snake no problems.
I though you'd be out on the roadside hitching a lift by now...

Cheers, Jamie.

[peterjohnson64]

Nuh mate, too scared of "the book" thing and clearly Pails has no customrs in melbourne!!! Plus I didn't get out of bed until 10.30.

[Pythoninfinite]

Not the old "red wine on Friday nite thing" again I hope? Or Saturday nite, or Sunday nite...

J.

[Pythoninfinite]

I'd heard there were queues of cars in Melton now, just waiting for you to show yourself kerbside...

J.