Feeder Colony Forecast Calculator

Q: How often should hatchling ball pythons eat?

Hatchling ball pythons should be offered food every 5-7 days. Start with hopper mice or fuzzy rats, then move up in size as the snake grows. Wait until after the first shed before offering the first meal.

Q: How do I calculate feeder needs for a large collection?

Group your animals by age bracket (hatchlings, juveniles, sub-adults, adults) and assign a feeding frequency and feeder size to each group. Multiply the animal count by the weekly feeding rate for each group and sum the totals.

Q: How far ahead should I order feeders?

Most rodent suppliers recommend ordering 1-2 weeks ahead. During peak breeding season, demand is higher, so order 2-3 weeks in advance. Keep a buffer stock of at least one week of feeders at all times.

Q: Should I breed my own feeder rodents?

Breeding your own feeders can be cost-effective for collections over 50 animals. However, it requires space, time, and consistent management. For smaller collections, purchasing frozen feeders from a supplier is often more practical.

The Feeder Colony Forecast Calculator helps you predict weekly feeder requirements across your entire collection. Enter animal counts by age bracket with feeding rates, current inventory, and supplier lead times. The tool calculates total weekly consumption and tells you exactly when to reorder so you never run out of feeders.

Feeder Requirements by Age Bracket

Hatchlings - Count

Feeds / Week

Feeder Size

Juveniles - Count

Feeds / Week

Feeder Size

Sub-Adults - Count

Feeds / Week

Feeder Size

Adults - Count

Feeds / Week

Feeder Size

Current Inventory (total feeders)

Supplier Lead Time (days)

Try it with your real data in HatchLedger

This tool is a preview. Get the full experience with saved records, alerts, and integrations inside HatchLedger.

How to use this tool

1Enter animal counts for each age bracket in your collection.
2Adjust the feeding frequency per week for each bracket.
3Enter your current feeder inventory on hand.
4Enter your supplier lead time in days.
5Click "Calculate Forecast" to see your weekly needs and reorder date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should hatchling ball pythons eat?

How do I calculate feeder needs for a large collection?

How far ahead should I order feeders?

Should I breed my own feeder rodents?

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