Converting from Live to t/f and Day old chicks to Rats

[docturgonzo]

Good morning Guys. Well its morning over here lol. I was after picking the brains of you guys about tips on converting Balls over from one prey to another. I have one who will only take live rats and / or day old chicks (wierd combo) and another that will only take adult mice (when she doesnt fast)

I have tried to see if they will accept f/t rats but they both are never interested whatsover. What ways have you guys managed to convert them over?

I have tried searching the forum but couldnt find what o needed so thought id begin a new thread

Thanks in advance

[CoolioTiffany]

I've converted my boa over from the picky eater she was to live then to f/t. It takes time though. Remember, be patient because it does take time to convert them over to f/t. This is how I did it with my boa, in a matter of months:

First two months of having her: Never took any food given. Was a total finicky eater and gave me a very hard time. One night, I dropped in a live pinkie rat, turned off all of the lights, left the room, shut the door, and checked on her every hour. Eventually sometime during the night she ate it.

5 months of eating live pinkie rats after she took the one given in January: One day, I dropped in a live rat pup, she went straight over and wrapped around it, in broad day light, in front of me, out in the middle of her enclosure. Finally got her to eat in front of me, and during day light hours.

1 month and a half after feeding in front of me: I decided to try a f/t rat crawler. Right when I put it in the enclosure, she went right for it. This time, did not wrap around it though.

3 weeks after being fed first f/t rat (now): She eats f/t rats now just fine. I can't believe I got this finicky eater to finally eat f/t. It's like a miracle. I just made her feel comfortable eating in front of me, and she felt comfortable eating anything after that. Took 7 (almost 8) months for me to do this, though all snakes are different.

[Wh00h0069]

I have never had any luck converting from live to f/t, but no problems the other way around.

[docturgonzo]

I have never had any luck converting from live to f/t, but no problems the other way around.

How did you manage the day old chick to rat conversion?

[jblaze]

I read somewhere that you should only try and feed them one prey item, this way, you do not turn a picky eater into a non eater (faster.)