Live to F/T switch?

[brobertson]

I am considering trading my hatchling female bee for either a 500 gram spider or a 900 gram yellow belly. The only reason that I haven't jumped on it is because they eat live according to the breeder. I would very much prefer not having to deal with live older rodents because they are so intelligent and aware. What I was wondering was: has anybody had success with immediate switches from live to f/t, or should I pass on the deal?
Thanks,
Benek

[brobertson]

Bump... Anyone?

[Alexandra V]

Both my caramels were eating live from the breeder and I had no trouble giving them ft on their first feeding with me. I did leave it overnight because they don't seem as enthused about the pre killed, but they do end up eating it. I wouldn't let it stop me if it was on a live diet, it shouldn't be too bad switching it. You may need ti exercise a little tough love the first feeding or two ("if you don't death this, you don't eat at all") but I personally never had too much trouble.

[mr.spooky]

I havent had too much trouble eigther. I do have one thats being a P.I.T.A though. Hees ate FT's a time or two, but mostly refuses. Sence its a male, Ill go as long as I can without HAVING to offer live but at some point ill go ahead and feed live.
Eigther way, back to your question,,,,,, I wouldent let a "live feeder" be a deal breaker for me...
spooky

[tattoos & snakes]

i was worried also but my ball didnt seem to mi nd at all

[notmyfault]

I havent had too much trouble eigther. I do have one thats being a P.I.T.A though. Hees ate FT's a time or two, but mostly refuses. Sence its a male, Ill go as long as I can without HAVING to offer live but at some point ill go ahead and feed live.
Eigther way, back to your question,,,,,, I wouldent let a "live feeder" be a deal breaker for me...
spooky

I was in the same situation. Switching to f/t can be difficult for some, but the most important thing for the transition is patience.

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[MrLang]

At that weight they should be easier to switch. I am finding my very small hatchling to be the only one I have had to feed any live to at all, and I have read / been told that adult snakes that have eaten live their whole life can be VERY hard to switch over to where they will eat consistently. They make take a F/T for you here and there, but if they skip 2/3 meals they aren't going to get to size faster than your female bee hatchling.


Honestly, I'd keep the bee and fatten it up yourself and be patient I don't see 500 grams of weight being worth the additional gene in the bee. 100g - 500g happens in a matter of 3 or 4 months for me and probably faster for people who feed more (I feed every 5 - 7 days). The YB would be worth it money-wise right now, but I'd rather keep the bee for 6 months more, make sure it eats F/T exclusively, and have it accumulate more value as a 2 gene animal during that time.

/2 cents

[1nstinct]

All my snakes were live feeders until they got to my house, now everyone is on F/t. Did not have a problem switching any of them(except
My pied but he's just a pain an hasn't even eaten yet)

[FireStorm]

Some switch great, some switch with some work, some will only eat live. The only way to know for sure would be to try.