This may shock some and may cause others to . . . . .
From birth our BCI are allowed to shed
Our BCI are not introduced to feeding until 3 weeks after they shed
Our BCI are started on F/T rat prey exclusively(yes they will eat in their time)
Our BCI are fed on 14 day intervals from their first feed thru
their 3rd,4th,5th feedings
Our BCI are then fed at 21-24 days for their 6th feeding
Our BCI are then fed 21-24 days for their 7th feeding(all F/T rat prey)
Number 8 is the magic number we have settled on to begin our feeding rotation to 12 months of age for our BCI that will be retained here.
Feeding trail number 8 is 14-16 days from the previous 21-24
Feeding trial number 9 is offered at 21-24 days
Generally those that were for sale have been sold and even the picky eaters are in step with the program and feeding along with their litter mates.
This 14-16/21-24 rotation is followed thru their 12th month(1yr)
The ones that were problem feeders and missed a few meals along the way are compensated for by consecutive 14-16 day feedings during months 10 -12.
At 12 months feedings are 21-24 days consecutively up to 24 months of age.
PREY SIZE
I no longer believe/support in the "lump" theory that many are led to follow.
A feeding is a feeding here,if you are a 2 yr old CA BCI and a "Big Cheese"
type(size) rat fuzzy is more then a mouth full and that is whats in the freezer.
Then that is your portion for that feeding.
If you are normally eating mediums and freezer count doesn't support
"your turn" then a "Big Cheese" (size) small is your portion for that feeding.We have 6 year old CA BCI still eating small to barely medium rat prey and THRIVING!
My feed cards are on every cage,random inspection is open for
anyone invited,the condition of our animals speak for them selves.
How do I define "thriving"
Raised from birth to adult status,successfully bred to with viable young
All fed conservatively,all raised on steady 82-85*F ambient temp thru gestation to partuition.
From where I sit and thru my experience,there is no special wizardry
protocals