power feeding?

Obviously I am new to the herp business.  I have 1.1 reduced pattern ball pythons.  They are an unrelated pair, and I hope to breed them next year.  I hear a lot about power feeding, so, what is it? Is it safe?  Gimme some info, e-mail me at  Fiver231@aol.com

Thanks
<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

It can be safe but is risky. It is the process of feeding a snake more than it would normally eat at each feeding, or of feeding snakes more often than they would normally be fed - both times with the intent of causing rapid growth at a rate accelerated beyond the norm. This can cause developmental problems, especially regarding breeding where the snakes may be big enough but not actually sexually mature enough to breed properly. It can also cause gatro intestinal problems. If you do decide to power feed it could be best to do it lightly - for instance feeding a regular meal one week and a 1.5 X sized or 2 X sized meal the next then back to a regular sized and alternating so forth instead of doing it at every feeding. I do not recommend power feeding, nor am I saying you should follow the methods I gave, but was just pointing out how it is done.

As for breeding your snakes next year, how old are they now, when were they hatched?

Here's a link to my reply to a similar question on kingsnake.com

Why powerfeeding boids is unhealthy

Not only to mention the internal problems that Ken pointed out in his link
also &nbsp; a snake with a small head and large body
also &nbsp; a snake with a small clutch and possibly every clutch after that small
also &nbsp;shortened life span
also &nbsp;possibly infertile
I reccomend feeding only once a week, yes even colubrids too!! It will pay off in the long run for you and your pets <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

thanks for the info. &nbsp;I really have no intent on power feeding. &nbsp;My male is a '98 hatched and the female is a '00 hatch. &nbsp;I have a few BP's but these are going to be my &quot;breeders&quot;. &nbsp;The male is over 3 ft long now, and he eats 3 (I guess you could say small) mice a week, and the female is 2.5 feet long, she eats 2 mice a week. &nbsp;I was told that this is a correct amount, and I would never do anything to harm my snakes! &nbsp;They are the loves of my life!