Force / assist feeding, with a few top tips

[@calissaobviouslycannotdeci7419]

What a wonderful video Gavin... Made me cry cuz you care so much about these little guys... I can hear the passion in your voice!

[@Balls2U]

Calissa ObviouslyCannotDecide Reptiles thank you for your kind words and I'm sorry I made you cry 😞

[@laurapeterson9029]

This video helped my almost three month ball python eat. He was shipped to me on 6/11. I got him from a breeder in FL. He supposedly ate every Friday. The first two times I tried to feed him, he slung himself backward and hid. I contacted the breeder several times but just got the same run around. I took him to my step son who is working on breeding two weeks ago. He used this video to get him to eat. We are pretty certain he shed and was shipped. I was terrified my snake was going to die but now feeling better since he’s got a meal finally. It was a small meal but it’s a start. I’m glad I found this video and shared it with my step son. I contacted the breeder after I took him to my step son to find out how many times he had been fed and his weight history. I was told they don’t keep a weight record on their snakes. Lesson learned, do research upon research about the breeder. I will never use them again.

[@boxingboa]

Top notch video Governor. This video will help so many people. I really like how you explain everything.

[@Balls2U]

boxingboa thank you brotha, I do try to explain as best as possible 😊🙏

[@leeguerrero1283]

Such a dramatic but very necessary action to take to make sure they survive to thrive. Great video!

[@Sor1ner]

Best channel hands down, best info on ball pythons. Your doing the right thing getting something in that little girls stomach great job Gavin.

[@Balls2U]

Sor1ner thank you 😊👍

[@bennorman2236]

I've never seen it explained/shown better. Quality advice as always!

[@Balls2U]

Ben Norman thanks Ben 👍

[@ScottDJohnston]

I just found this video, and it was incredibly helpful! I just assist fed for the first time and this was the video i referenced. Worked perfectly. Thank you so much!

[@bryanmeldrum8276]

Gavin, because of your video, I was able to feed my 2 out of 5 hatchlings that hadn't eaten. Thank you so much for the video bro!!!!! Quality

[@chrisneedham6530]

I have really enjoyed your videos so far. I think this one was fantastic. I worked in veterinary medicine for 33 years. About 10 of that was with exotics. While you should be experienced if you're going to do this, this fact is inexperience people do it. Period. I think you did a great job educating them on how to do it properly. Bravo my friend.

[@christopherrhode1126]

Great educational video. Well presented & w/lots of important information!

[@rachelscott3084]

Great video Gavin, so informative and in depth. I love how much you care about your snakes. Hope she starts feeding on her own soon, wee cutie. Hope you had an awesome Christmas.

[@Balls2U]

Rachel Cullen thank you Rachel, I hope you had a awesome Christmas also 😊

[@lucywilkinson2375]

Its lovely to see how much you care, calling her sweetheart etc, i love watching your videos

[@PythonJunkieUK]

Thanks for the great vid, I was concerned with one of my babies and decided to assist, didnt feel confident offering a second helping so left it at with the pinkie. Will keep an eye on her👍🏼

[@grahamhearns6127]

Proud of you for going this Gavin....especially in the UK...but like yourself been doing this stuff for over 15 years....great vid m8 👍

[@Balls2U]

Graham Hearns thanks for watching Graham 👍😊

[@coryfalls]

Awesome video Gavin. Definitely going into my"how to" folder to refer back to if I ever run into this problem. Very clear instructions and the hands on visual is fantastic. I hope you and the family had a nice Christmas.

[@Balls2U]

Cory Falls thanks buddy, yes it was good thank you hope you and yours enjoyed the holiday season too

[@nathanbrickwood6444]

Cracking vid and perfect timing for me. Managed to get 3 assist fed last week, will try again tonight, good to know I’m doing it right. Persistence is key here, if doesn’t work the first time, keep at it and refer to other people for help. I find easiest to hold either side of the head just above the neck, that way my hand isn’t in the way of the prey item. Keep the great vids coming and Thankyou for your input to the community

[@Balls2U]

Nathan Brickwood thank you for watching Nathan and I'm glad I can help 👍

[@pepecocomax]

This was an awesome video. I really enjoyed seeing how this is actually done. I just subscribed and am looking forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@Balls2U]

Thank you and welcome to my channel 😊👍🏼

[@ThePythonPit]

Hello Gavin, this is Galen from the States. I really appreciate your statement about customer service. My first online purchase over a year ago was a nightmare. It ended with the Green Tree Python dying 10-days later without any insight from the breeder except his comment that I was inexperience keeper. Needless to say I am not since I been keeping reptiles longer than the seller has been alive. This motivated me in becoming a breeder myself (still in the process of producing my first clutch) to hopefully add some positivity in this hobby and community.

[@Balls2U]

The Python Pit sorry to hear about your bad experience, however some good has come out of it, which is..... yourself!!!.... Good luck with your first clutch and thank you for watching 😊

[@ridiculousroyalpythons3426]

Very good tutorial video Gavin,you've got to do what you got to do,it's our responsibility to the animal,if anyone disses you for it don't worry,you're right she had to feed and you succeeded with no stress to the animal,you the man,all the best,simon

[@Balls2U]

ridiculous royals pythons thank you mate, hope your well

[@malestromsreptileranch1508]

Excellent instructional on 1 of the most frustrating topics I have done this with good mentoring and watched a hatchling at 65 grams go from 16 weeks no meals to over 485 grams in only 13 months She absolutely smashes everything offered to her now.

[@fabwizg.9520]

What a great informative video,great job Gavin....😊

[@Balls2U]

fabwiz G. Thank you 👍

[@morphaddicts9635]

Gavin, love all your videos. I have learned so much from your videos and have been able to apply so much of what I"ve learned to my own collection/breeding. Happy holidays and thanks again

[@SpartanReptiles]

this is an amazing video Gavin! Thanks for sharing this info with us!

[@Balls2U]

Spartan Reptiles thanks Josh for your support

[@TELScaniaman]

Excellent video, that little girl will now go from strength to strength because you took the time to care for your animals welfare. This is what it's all about guys going the extra mile for your animals. Happy New Year to you and the family my friend.

[@Balls2U]

Martin Dixon thank you my friend, happy new year to you and yours too

[@GoingYooper]

Iv had to assist feed a few times over the years and it can be a bit hard to do. Great information as always.

[@chrisgraham2837]

10/10 gavin not easy video to do, hope you had a good Christmas, all the best for the new year

[@Balls2U]

Chris graham thanks Chris, all's good this way, hope you and the family have had a great Christmas and good luck for the new year mate 👍

[@shanesmith4124]

just had to do this myself it was horrible doing it but had to do it great informative.ative video as always glad this community has someone like u doing what u do 👍👊

[@macksmorphs153]

Great vid Gav mate ,,relay helpful and informative and will help out a lot of us in the hobby 👍

[@Balls2U]

MACKS MORPHS thanks bro 😊

[@stunningserpents6609]

Great video Gavin. My new Enchi female hasn't fed with me yet so hoping she does soon. Appears fit and very active so hopefully she'll accept food this weekend or soon. Wish me luck!

[@Balls2U]

Perfect Pythons good luck 👍

[@OversizedDetour1341]

I loved the video! And, I have found a breeder out her in Longview, Texas, by the name of SMS Morphs, that will help you with any problem or question that you have about your Ball Pythons, regardless of whom you got them from. They simply love reptiles, but Ball Pythons in particular. After my purchase, they checked in a few times over a month to see how my Albino and Ivory were doing. Still ask at every show that I see them at. They have that same passion that you do. That same love. Great video again, and thank you for the advice!

[@carleyjones7324]

So gentle with her 💛

[@moyaspirit995]

Thank you very much for this video! I got 4 spider "babys"have no idea how old they are, very Bad condition, Veery underfed and underweight. These Informations helped me a Lot.

[@stevemunn367]

Cool video Gavin, easy to follow and understand, I know it can be stressful for them and the keeper, but has to be done sometimes to keep the snake alive, plus she didn’t look too stressed either. Looking forward to the updates and new videos All the best MUNNS MORPHS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@hughjasole673]

Good idea with the tweezer method. I've never tried it before, but I do like the pinky press. I had to force feed a hatchling like 5 times a few years ago with it to get him to grow an appetite. Waited a couple weeks and dropped in a mouse fuzzy. He took it and went on eating like normal after that. Some just need a little help getting started. Whatever works

[@BltchonaBroom]

This is great Gavin, very informative and helpful. After being tought how to assist/force feed by my vet, I have now assist/force fed our 14 wk old Cinny female 3 times with pinkies, as she just isn't interested in anything we offer her. I will, definitely try training a mouse fluff behind her pinkie on her next feed 🥰 Thank you so much for sharing this Gavin 😁👍

[@bloodroyalmorphs7197]

Had to assist over the years and it’s the only way mate good educational video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Balls2U]

Hrf_reptiles_ Pythons thanks mate 👍

[@johncox5393]

Very informative video. Well done.

[@ThePythonBurrow]

Another textbook video brother!! This community would be a bumpy ride without kind individuals like yourself!! Take Care!

[@Balls2U]

The Python Burrow thank you brotha 😉👍

[@FloJiCc]

Totally agree! :) Awesome information and honest expieriences :D

[@KentuckianaExotics]

Gavin, I want to thank you for making this video. I have only had to do this on one baby by myself, and I didn't record it because I didn't have a channel at that point. However, it is something every breeder should know about, whether they are forced to do it, or not. For those of you that watch this. The end result was 16% weight gain, which will translate into a much more energetic snake, that may well be able to feed itself (even if assistance is needed) when food is next offered.

[@Balls2U]

Armand thanks for watching and your support 👍

[@jasoncollins8562]

Thank you for this video. Hope I never have to do it, but it will be very helpful if I do. Great video

[@Balls2U]

Jason Collins thanks Jason 👍

[@morgansmith5447]

Thank you! Im gonna have to do this for the first time and I'm so scared to. But this makes me feel like I can do it. Just need a steady calm state of mind first. Then I'll be doing these tips!

[@carsonmcguire8104]

Great info, thanks for making this. I have one of my girls who is giving me some trouble, she's about 3 weeks into her non-feeding timeframe, but she shed out this morning so I'm hoping she'll be ready for a meal. If it comes down to her having to be assisted, which I'm really hoping she won't, then I'll definitely be rewatching this video again in an attempt to glean as much info as I can.

[@vomrabenauge]

Great video and very informative!

[@JonFitch10]

Love the video man all of em and yeah it’s sad watching that as in she is so small and we want her to live she will make it 💪🏾💪🏾

[@Balls2U]

ROGER Sawyers thanks.... She's doing great so far

[@hhhserpents5495]

Thank you for sharing your technique

[@Ibaneddie76]

This is part of caring for snakes, specially if you plan on breeding or housing a lot of animals. It's important people see everything, the fun stuff like hatching an amazing clutch and the stressful stuff life figuring out how to problem solve issues that can and will happen. Great video, this is absolutely the correct way to assist feed, obviously it's last resort but if it's between this and your animal perishing it's uno brainer.

[@Joppsta360]

Funny that you make this video now as I am having this exact issue with 4 hatchlings, none of them want to eat for some reason, one of them is a wee hothead as well. Strikes like mad out at me, not interested in food. Have had to resort to a force feed. I would say there is a distinct difference between an assist and a force though. I would say that an assist is when the snake simply won't strike or take the prey item from a drop but as soon as you put it into the mouth instincts take over and it coils vs force where the snake has to, as in your video, be forced to eat. Thankfully I've gotten a meal down all 4 of the little buggers.. how long is it you choose to wait from when they're out the egg to start this process though? I gave mine a good 6weeks along with trying a few tricks. Weirdest one I read was feeding them yoghurt to help the digestive system. I did not try this as it seemed far-fetched although I could see why it might work. Activia snake edition 2018

[@Balls2U]

Joppsta360 thanks for your comment 😊👍

[@kristyholt-brightbill9289]

Gavin, I just found this video and I am glad I did. This was very helpful and you are so gentle with your babies. I just love her! She is such a sweetheart. Do you still have her and how is she doing now? Do you sell to the states? I am looking to purchase my first Ball Python baby and I can't wait. I have been looking for a while now because I want to make sure that I buy from a good quality breeder that takes great care of their snakes and will be there if I would need them in a instance like this one. Thank you for all you do for these little one who are difficult and all of the others that are doing well. Great videos!!

[@rickysantiago491]

Thank's for making this video so much. And explaining it like u did. It help me so much. I just had my first clutch and 2 of my baby ball python was not eating and there belly was caving in a little bit. And this help me so much. Thank u so much Balls2U

[@stuartsterling1021]

Another great vid, thanks for sharing

[@jodycockerham7556]

This is what I had to do with my male mojave same situation. I tried everything before doing it. It took a good 3 or 4 times then one day he grabbed one and wrapped it up himself . Now he's back to normal weight and pounds his food better than most. To me its like they forget how to strike and curl. Its weird but does happen.

[@Balls2U]

Jody Cockerham thank you for watching Jody

[@falynch]

I've just lost a ball python hatchling I was given as a non feeder and I'm heart broken. I assist fed him once using your video (only needed to put it in his mouth) and the next two feeds he took himself and I was so hopeful for him. I don't know how long he went without food before he was given to me but he was very thin, you could see his spine and bottom of his ribs. He died a couple of days after his last fed.

[@FrankieKato149]

Awesome video

[@JuegaConJuan1]

Great video gavin keep it up.

[@Balls2U]

Juega Con Juan thank you

[@jkcrawlers]

Great video, thank you.

[@magchild44]

I love videos about the more difficult side. I agree with getting help if it's available. However I don't trust the "experts" where I am assuming I could find one in the first place. Would rather watch youtubers I trust and go with my own instincts than drive 6 hours to an "expert" who destroys my snake. So thanks for being my expert Sir.

[@Balls2U]

SatnSpawn your welcome and thanks for watching 😊🙏

[@michellegobel2820]

Thank you for all this information! My baby hasn’t eaten in about 5 week and he is underweight, I can see his vertebrae along his spine and it’s so sad :/ he was underweight when I got him and he had a couple good deeds but after his she’s it’s like he’s forgotten how to eat :(

[@Balls2U]

Ask the breeder about how had him/her set up and copy it

[@BanksideFishing]

Hi Gav, what size tubs do you use from hatchling to adult female please, I'm about to build a rack for my 1000g + females just want to make sure I have everything spot on. Also what size is you breeder girls in thank you

[@Balls2U]

Bankside Fishing I use v15 for hatchlings, v18 for grow ups and small breeder males, v35s for big breeder males, v35 for small breeder females and v70 for breeder girls over 2kg

[@BanksideFishing]

+Balls2U thank you very much

[@BanksideFishing]

+Balls2U where do you purchase these in bulk?

[@moldyer7551]

Question! So I knew what assist feed was but I thought force feed was done with a pinky pump? Is that different or is it a matter of what you rather do? Pinky pump seems a lot less stressful since it's quicker and easier for then to keep it down and not get injured from the force feed. I'd love your input on that! Thank you!

[@Balls2U]

Pinky pumps can be very stressful also for them and is not necessary for ball pythons

[@ridiculousroyalpythons3426]

P.s,I now feel confident if I ever had to force feed I could.

[@StanWatt.]

My new 750g female pied hasn't eaten once in the month I've had her. I just tried an assist feed and she just wasn't having it lol. I'll wait for her I think lol.

[@stevenajera5908]

Great video

[@marshallwilliams2990]

What should the temp on heat be. Cut off highest? Thanks

[@lorgagssertao4036]

brilliant mate!

[@cmmconstrictors5971]

I almost had to force feed one of my hatchlings but decided to keep a f/t rat pink in her tub overnight the next morning it was gone since that shes been eating great haven't missed a meal since.

[@Balls2U]

Christopher McDonald that's great news... Never give up 👍

[@totalanthony]

How is she now Gavin?

[@TheWildWookiee]

Hello I bought a female 4 weeks ago and I just Weighed her recently this week she weighs 48g also she has only eaten olive and I've tried every 7 days to feed my next chance is this Thursday when should I start to assist feed?

[@Balls2U]

I would speak to the breeder that you got her from

[@TheWildWookiee]

@@Balls2U I got her at like a local store not a petsmart or Petco, she's Only been fed once at the store. There didn't Tell me about the breeder how much he Fed her. She hasn't taken a strike at any mice. My humidity is 60%_75% and temps for cool is 80 and hot side is 86-90. But I've notice she hides in the colder area most the day and she'll come over to the hot side to warm back up and then back to the cool side she goes. I've seen you at nice in the clutter chilling.

[@aaronmatthews2666]

Awesome vid Gavin

[@Balls2U]

Aaron Matthews thanks Aaron 👍

[@stevie-green]

How many weeks do you continue to assist/ force feed gavin if they still refuse to take , im guessing for as long as they refuse

[@MalcolmCrabbe]

Gavin, just scanned through the rest of the videos and can't see any follow up. Did this girl start feeding after or did this or did you have to force feed / assist feed many times. How long did you continue force feeding until she took food naturally ?

[@Balls2U]

She started feeding on her own after 2 feeds helped by me

[@MalcolmCrabbe]

@@Balls2U Excellent. I've been lucky and only ever needed to assist fed a royal once before, and I didn't need to resort to forcing it so far down. Mind you, 5 of the 9 babies I currently have still haven't taken a meal yet, so I may have to resort to this again !!

[@christopherhulse8385]

How did she turn out?

[@EliteExoticsBp]

Super cool video great information thanks Gaven I know you can't live feed I had trouble with a ball python given to my Daughter would not eat for 2 months f/t and he took the live like a champ

[@Balls2U]

John Wiggins thanks John, I will do what is needed for my snakes to stay alive, feeding live or frozen, what ever it takes 👍

[@cathlong3246]

Hi there, loved the video! My heart sinks thinking i may have to do this with mine, its been 2 weeks since he’s hatched and finally shed yesterday. Tried to feed last night with no luck. I did try before the shed as i was worried it had been so long since birth. Is there an approx time post shed i should wait to try again? I dont want to stress him out so much. We have 3-4g pinkies, is this too big as a starter? Sorry for all the questions lol

[@Balls2U]

I find around 10 days after shed they are ready to eat

[@cathlong3246]

Balls2U ah right ok, even though that puts him at 3.5 weeks old and had no food yet? It scares me the poor thing starving to death :( :(

[@State48Exotics]

Epic as always!!!!

[@Balls2U]

State48 Exotics thank you 😉👍

[@mrmouse-ol9pw]

Ever had a hatchling that never started eating alone? I have a blind hatchling that will only eat assist feed. Shes about 42 grams. Thoughts? Shes a fighter other then that. At a loss

[@annefenn2881]

My boyfriend tried because he had no positive feedback from the breeder and wasn't sure of the state of the baby.. it wasn't great the snake struggled but he had no one to assist or do it for him! He seceded in the end but was really upset that he had to learn like this and had to put his snake through it all but he did what he thought was needed..i felt bad for him and his snake.. still waiting to see if all goes well and she doesn't regurgitate.. he's really worried about it but thinks she'll be fine..

[@henrikbrunberg1357]

Hi i have a question for new people that want to get into breeding and also this can be good for people that want to make sure theire BP is healthy. How do you see that your snake is in a good condition not to skinny not to fat and maybe show us some examples. And maybe show us example of a female that need to buff upp before breeding and maybe how a breeding ready female should look. if you already made a video like this im sorry i missed it :) keep up the great work love your vids. Happy new year man!

[@Balls2U]

Henrik B I'll put a video together in the next few weeks on this topic and try to cover the basics 😊👍

[@henrikbrunberg1357]

Awesome thanks man :)

[@genovevagalarza7135]

My juvenile belt hasn't eaten in a month and I'm worried sick. I tried everything.

[@moonstoneect3471]

Good video thank you!

[@danielsaldivar6109]

What kind of scale is that

[@thirdeye_pythons6064]

I know this video is really old but I'm dealing with this right now. How long did you have to assist feed her? I'm on the 3rd week of assist feeding my little clown pied hatchling and I can't wait for him to finally eat something on his own

[@dylananderson911]

When do you stop assist feeding ball pythons?

[@MrThorizon]

I will say, when I first started for picky eaters i would get natural unsalted chicken broth and dip the mouse/rat in it before feeding and they almost always take to it.

[@zidanezizu4873]

Nice explanation and video but I'd use the blunt end of a pencil to push it in a bit not a pair of sharp metal tweezers /tongs ... One slip would be horrible

[@Balls2U]

Fair point but they are not sharp and you need to guide it in, with the pencil you wouldn't be able to do that.

[@zidanezizu4873]

All metal tweezers can easily damage / tear through skin though ... Maybe a pair of those small black plastic ones

[@Balls2U]

@@zidanezizu4873 you can kill someone with a pencil through the eye (dark night, joker)

[@zidanezizu4873]

Balls2U .. I did say the blunt end of a pencil ideally one with a rubber on :) I’d just worry about the snake jerking around and the metal tweezers slipping . Accidents happen ..

[@amberrockwell3071]

How many times do you attempt to feed before doing an assist? I have 6 hatchlings that will not eat. They're terrified of live and f/t. They've only just had their first shed though.

[@TheJoePhoto]

I got a yearling cornsnake to eat by putting a dab of tuna fish on the head of a live fuzzy mouse.. He's been eating ever since.. Don't know if it will work with a ballpython though..

[@Balls2U]

Joey Garcia that's worth a try for sure 😉👍

[@wmcc1987]

Hey man great video! Hope she smashes it next week! Can I pick your brain? Basically my new addition had a bad shed and I had to help him with a wet towel but While checking to see if I got it all off I noticed he has a few rows of split scales just above his Cloaca.. I checked my two other girls and they have single scales and Was wondering if it's an indicator of any thing genetic or anything you've come across before?

[@Balls2U]

William Mccartney I've seed it a few times.... I think it's just one of them things TBH 👍

[@brandywine2061]

Balls2u I have a question, I have an albino BP born in August. She refuses to eat since the 14th of December. Do you recommend assist or waiting?

[@Balls2U]

Have you changed anything to stop her feeding??? I would wait, at least 6-8 weeks

[@brandywine2061]

Balls2U I did, I moved her from a tub to a reptile tank.

[@brandywine2061]

Balls2U it just scares me to see her not feeding

[@Balls2U]

Brandy there's your problem then

[@brandywine2061]

Balls2U ok. I moved her back to tub, I hope she will be ok.

[@genovevagalarza7135]

Bel

[@VanLifePays]

That 1 dislike is enraging

[@toshvickers787]

;

[@tyke5424]

Another fantastic tutorial, I will say it again your such a asset to our hobby, thank you for your time and knowledge, it would be a great help if we could see the progress (good or bad) with this little champion, ie what to do next if?

[@Balls2U]

Tyke for sure, I'll do a follow up mate 👍

[@janebritishborn3901]

Hiya Gavin hope u had nice Xmas! 💗

[@Balls2U]

jane British born hope you had a great Christmas too 😊

[@janebritishborn3901]

Balls2U I did darlin & thankyou!