Rabbits as feed

[Simplex]

Some of you may have noticed my other post about alternative feed. And this is one that never crossed my mind but would rabbita be nutritionally suitable. I have found a source that i can readily get them for cheap.

[DakotaB]

yes they are. If u have a good source id say go for it. Alot of people feed larger snakes rabbits. I was talking to a guy today at the shop who does.

[RetiredJedi]

I guess depending on the size of the BP and the rabbit but if you have a little one I don't see a rabbit being small enough for a young BP to eat.

[fredanthony]

How large is your bp? I would imagine rabbits would cost more than rats of equivalent size.. Anyway, I've seen many burms take down rabbits, but I'm talking 6+ foot snakes.

[Ladybugzcrunch]

Rabbits start out widdle too

[fredanthony]

Rabbits start out widdle too

Very true, but they usually cost more than an equivalantly sized rat usually..

[rperry03]

Some will say that eating rabbits will make your snake get bigger than just rats. Don't know what route you are taking but you should look it up.

[rperry03]

Very true, but they usually cost more than an equivalantly sized rat usually..

Litters are smaller, takes more room to breed them, and longer to get to breeding age.

[fredanthony]

Maybe checkout this thread, there's some useful info there posted by Chu'Wuti

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...tml#post558211

[RondaH]

I personally raise rabbits and feed them to my balls, kingsnakes, and boas. Since I raise them, I can feed them off as early as I want to. I do want to say from experience, though, it is best to wait until the rabbits are at least 3 days old before using them for feeders. At 3 days they get fur and have had time to get milk/nourishment from the mother. I have fed hairless newborns before and it has sometimes come out the other end rather liquified and nasty; not every time, but enough to not want to do it.

I do believe snakes grow better on rabbits. I feed rabbits to my ball python females when they hit their eating spurt right before breeding season. They seem to gain weight well on them.

As far as cost, if you can find a local small breeder who raises/shows rabbits, they are usually rather affordable. I personally sell to people starting less than the price of a pinky rat at a pet store. It is best if you can find someone who is not raising rabbits for feeders because:

1. They care about the development of the rabbits and feed their culls as well as they do their show rabbits (I know this from my own raising).

2. They are not trying to make ends meet by selling feeders, therefore, the price is generally more affordable. Selling rabbits for feeders is just a way to get rid of my culls and I am most certainly not doing it for the money so I can sell them at a reasonable price.

Good luck!!