| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Falice |
Posted - 06/01/2014 : 23:41:44
So I'm going through my first fast! I've had Sir Cuthbert just over a year now, he's usually a fantastic strike feeder. But he's been fasting since the beginning of October, I know this isn't massivly long for a royal. So I'm just wondering how much weight should he lose before I start worrying? He's lost about 30g so far now weighing 980g at the moment, is this a normal amount?
Also I want to start scenting his food with something he might prefer like a chick, or is there anything else anyone recommends? This might sound completely stupid but I've never had to even think about doing this before, so I'm guessing I just get the chick and rub it all over the rat?
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| hodgie |
Posted - 08/01/2014 : 17:09:17
The main thing to do is not stress yourself or your Royal out by trying to feed to much. Offer every 10 days and don`t try offering for too long. You will notice a change in his behaviour when he really wants food, he will become more active. You will become used to fasting and the bonus side is keeping them becomes cheaper
I`ve had a female go over 8 months and have heard of much longer so he will be fine.
On a personal note i wouldn`t try anything different to how you always used to feed him. |
| Falice |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 23:27:55
Ok cool I'll do that, I usually leave it in with him overnight after I've tried like normal, but I'll try just leaving it with him without taking him out of his viv to try first. Thanks guys |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 22:43:56
Put the rat in for them without waggling them at it. Leave it overnight.
They can lose more than 30 grams after going to the toilet. They very rarely lose much when fasting, they are remarkably energy efficient. |
| Falice |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 21:58:26
I don't actually know what drop feeding is? |
| Fezza |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 18:40:17
Have you tried drop feeding?
I've had some strike feeders switch to drop feeding and, others that have gone the opposite way and started striking |
| Falice |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 17:26:19
Cool well I'm glad I don't have to start worrying just yet Oh maybe I worded it wrong he hasn't started eating again, I did try last night and he seemed more interested iin it than usual which I guess is a good sign, but he still didn't eat. So far I've tried braining and I've put him down a food size.
Thank you for your replies |
| hodgie |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 11:56:13
30g is nothing for that weight.
Just a bit curious as to why you want to start scenting his food, you say he has just come out of his fasting, has he eaten, or is it that you want him to get back to the way he was before? Normally they are a little slow but from my experience if they are a good striker then after 2-3 feeds they get their appetite back quite quickly. |
| Baobab |
Posted - 07/01/2014 : 07:16:30
I've heard that 10% loss is as much as they can sometimes lose before you should start to worry. We had a female that lost just over that before she started to eat again. |
