Quail feeding bonanza.

[Gio]

I gave the quail a go. I bought what I was told was the equivalent to medium rats. I figured with less fat the size would be perfect. I was a bit surprised to see how slow the bird went down and even more surprised at the NOTICEABLE lump it left. I always seem to fail my little guy when I make a switch on the first try. The post swallow shape was completely different but he was still very "turned on" after getting the bird down.

My hope is the leaner prey will ultimately digest better and the lump is just the odd shape of the bird. I could swear the quail was lighter in weight and felt less dense as I held it. So be it,,, he took it and I can't do much more than wait.

All of that said, I took a few pictures of the cage and the feed. Being I feed frozen thawed, and we are all boa folk, I hope these are not viewed as distasteful. I am in no way trying to WOW or impress anybody with feeding pictures. They just complete the cage and nature of the snake.

The feed is a whole production, low light, jungle music and some other fun stuff. I get full enjoyment out of everything from the cage, to the decor and of course the snake itself.

Enjoy.

The Pro-Line in all it's glory.





The first go at a quail. No need to pre-scent, boas like quail.








All done and looking for more.



Headed for the ranch.




I tried to download video from my MAC to photo bucket but for some reason I can't get it to go.

If you know how let me know and I'll post a little video.

Cheers.

[BFT12890]

Very nice. I like that branch in the front, did you do that yourself or was it installed when you purchased it???

[Gio]

Very nice. I like that branch in the front, did you do that yourself or was it installed when you purchased it???

The front branch is hollow bamboo with 2 Flunkers, vines wrapped around it.

The bamboo is easy to find at a hardware store.

Thanks for the compliment!

[BFT12890]

The front branch is hollow bamboo with 2 Flunkers, vines wrapped around it.

The bamboo is easy to find at a hardware store.

Thanks for the compliment!

No problem! I may need to steal your idea, I have a 6 foot hog island getting ready to go in a animal plastics t8. Do you see it being an issue as your snake gets bigger? how far off the ceiling did you put it??

[Gio]

No problem! I may need to steal your idea, I have a 6 foot hog island getting ready to go in a animal plastics t8. Do you see it being an issue as your snake gets bigger? how far off the ceiling did you put it??

Steal away!!

My perches are 6 inches off the floor but my cage is 14 inches high. I believe the T-8 is 12" if I'm not mistake. You could certainly give it a go and I'd suggest mounting yours a bit further back so you can still reach in and around without always having to pull the perches out.

My real tree branch perches are not straight and dip a bit so they are only 3-4 inches off the floor in some areas.

One thing I want/need to do is make the bamboo a little more rough. The vines spin easily on it and if my guy is not sharing the other 2 branches he sometimes grips and then the vines spin, he goes upside down and will fall if he is not gripping tightly.

After a few spills he seems to realize that branch is a bit more tricky.

I'm considering moving our Royal from her glass tank into this cage and moving up to and 18" or 24" high cage. Not to give her (BP) a bigger cage, but to increase the ceiling for the boa.

There is NO DOUBT that if a boa has a chance to climb, perch and feel evenly supported, that it will do so.

Every feeding session with the exception of 2 have been arial assaults.

You will enjoy your snake experience 10X more when you give them a cage that challenges them as nature would.

That said if you have a large number of snakes, this can become quite a task.

[BFT12890]

Steal away!!

My perches are 6 inches off the floor but my cage is 14 inches high. I believe the T-8 is 12" if I'm not mistake. You could certainly give it a go and I'd suggest mounting yours a bit further back so you can still reach in and around without always having to pull the perches out.

My real tree branch perches are not straight and dip a bit so they are only 3-4 inches off the floor in some areas.

One thing I want/need to do is make the bamboo a little more rough. The vines spin easily on it and if my guy is not sharing the other 2 branches he sometimes grips and then the vines spin, he goes upside down and will fall if he is not gripping tightly.

After a few spills he seems to realize that branch is a bit more tricky.

I'm considering moving our Royal from her glass tank into this cage and moving up to and 18" or 24" high cage. Not to give her (BP) a bigger cage, but to increase the ceiling for the boa.

There is NO DOUBT that if a boa has a chance to climb, perch and feel evenly supported, that it will do so.

Every feeding session with the exception of 2 have been arial assaults.

You will enjoy your snake experience 10X more when you give them a cage that challenges them as nature would.

That said if you have a large number of snakes, this can become quite a task.

As I spend more time with my Hog I realize he does like to climb (I got him about two weeks ago from a friend) so I already had the T8 ordered (yes its 12") since it was a spur of the moment "rescue".

When I move on my own and have more money I wouldn't mind getting him a taller tank.

I appreciate the input and being cool with me copying! I like how its very clean looking while also being useful. As for putting your royal in there, that's a good idea but if yours is anything like mine, it will fall off so frequently in the first week it will smack itself half simple lol.

[Gio]

As I spend more time with my Hog I realize he does like to climb (I got him about two weeks ago from a friend) so I already had the T8 ordered (yes its 12") since it was a spur of the moment "rescue".

When I move on my own and have more money I wouldn't mind getting him a taller tank.

I appreciate the input and being cool with me copying! I like how its very clean looking while also being useful. As for putting your royal in there, that's a good idea but if yours is anything like mine, it will fall off so frequently in the first week it will smack itself half simple lol.

Ha ha,, no the Royal will only have a center/floor branch. I don't expect her to perch. I've heard that same noise,,,,,THUD!!

[Evenstar]

Be warned - when you clean up the next poo as a result of that quail, you may never want to feed quail again.......

[Gio]

Be warned - when you clean up the next poo as a result of that quail, you may never want to feed quail again.......

Hey Kali,

How long did you use quail? I have been told by more than a few on Ed's board that the first few movements are a bit messy and then they actually end up less stinky and much more solid than with rats. The conversion process is what causes the mess in the early stages.

My plan is to continue quail for the winter and back down the frequency of feeding and I've already dropped my temps and may drop another degree or 2 in a month.

I'll keep you posted on the stool consistency. I've heard several people voice that within 3 feeds the movements are better than they are with rodents.

I'm hoping its true. I think variety is healthy and don't plan to abandon rodents. I'll eventually add rabbits when he's big enough and keep switching things up.

I'll be ready for the first mess though LOL!

[raisnok]

it took my girl 3 weeks to digest a rabbit last time i fed her a rabbit i went back to lg rats .