Killing feeders is sad!

[jjsnakedude]

I cant believe that i almost cried when i had to kill the little rat that one of my snakes refused. it was only the second live feeding but the first got eaten. It was still kicking for a whole minute before it was still.
It took me totally by surprise.

[iCandiBallPythons]

F/T is an alternative.

[jjsnakedude]

I know, its what I normally do. I just had a different situation.

[Michelle.C]

I used to breed pet quality rats, now I just own a few as pets. They really are intelligent little creatures. I've never been able to feed live, unless all else fails and the snake refuses to eat f/t. Which I've never owned a snake that refused to convert.

I hope you froze it after dispatching it, quite sad if you let it's life go to waste. Next time, you might want to consider returning it to the pet store.

[SNIKTTIME]

I cant believe that i almost cried when i had to kill the little rat that one of my snakes refused. it was only the second live feeding but the first got eaten. It was still kicking for a whole minute before it was still.
It took me totally by surprise.

Not one of the most glorious aspects of snake keeping. You will fortunately get a little more numb to it after a while.

[j_h_smith]

No different than killing a pig or chicken then having it sit on the dining room table that evening. Like someone said, you'll get used to it.

As a snake owner, it was bound to happen.

Take Care!
Jim Smith

[ls1goat04]

how did you kill it? alot of ppl say this co2 chamber is the best way, but i work with all kinds of toxic gas at my work and co2 actually just displaces the oxygen. which means it doesnt make them unconcious, they are fully aware that they are sufficating to death. i dont believe this is a humane way to kill. i doubt u gassed it out just thought id add my $.02 lol

[kc261]

how did you kill it? alot of ppl say this co2 chamber is the best way, but i work with all kinds of toxic gas at my work and co2 actually just displaces the oxygen. which means it doesnt make them unconcious, they are fully aware that they are sufficating to death. i dont believe this is a humane way to kill. i doubt u gassed it out just thought id add my $.02 lol

I don't think working with toxic gases at work makes you more qualified than a panel of veterinarians that has determined that killing small mammals with CO2 is humane when done properly. The trick is to slowly raise the CO2 levels, which does make them unconscious. If the CO2 levels are raised too quickly, it is uncomfortable for them.

[TankMasterOG]

Just feed it live then.Snakes do not have someone waking the rats in wild.So why are you killing something your snake is born to kill????
Just cut the rats teeth off if you want.

[Jay_Bunny]

Just feed it live then.Snakes do not have someone waking the rats in wild.So why are you killing something your snake is born to kill????
Just cut the rats teeth off if you want.

Many keepers prefer to feed frozen/thawed or pre-killed for the safety of their snake. Yes, a snake is capable of killing a rodent but on occasion they can get bitten which can get infected or scare the snake into not wanting to eat. It is simply a preference of the keeper on whether or not to feed live. I personally have no problem with those that feed live and occasionally feed live myself.

BUT, you should NEVER EVER, cut the teeth off a live rat. That is cruel and animal abuse. Whether these animals are meant as food for your snakes or not, all animals should be treated with respect and kept free from unnecessary pain. Cutting the teeth off a rat is not necessary. Even if you meant this as a joke, I am not laughing and what you are proposing is animal abuse.