How much to feed???

My dad wants to start feeding our ballpython, every 2 weeks, and we can only feed him mice since the store is chargind 8 bucks a rat. And only 1:50 a mouse, how much would u suggest every two weeks? On mice? Thanks!

No offense, but if I couldn't afford to feed him properly, I'd adopt him out 2 someone who could. That being said, how old is he and how much does he weigh?

Hes very healthy, but he wont eat f/t and i heard its better for them to eat many smaller items the one big rat anyways. And we think hes almost 3

I would search online classifieds for local rats breeders. I was about to order another batch of frozens from rodentpro, but ended up finding a guy that lives about 45 minutes from me so I'll get to save a good chunk of cash and be able to get some live from him too. He also just so happens to be a member on here... what a coincidence.

i think im just going to feed him 3-4 mice every Two Weeks.

It is actually easier on the snake to eat one appropriately sized prey item than several smaller items. Go on CL in your area and ask for feeders. I found my current supplier on there and his are much cleaner than rodentpro's.

agreed. i was stuck paying $9 for frozen rats, but i finally got around to going to a show and bought in bulk. so in the end, frozen medium rats equaled about $1.50 a pop. Its a bit of an investment up front, but you save a ton in the long run. Now the trick is making sure nobody opens the multiple bagged item in the back of the freezer....


edit: oops sorry i didn't see that he doesn't eat f/t. But pretty much the same recommendation. how hard have you tried to switch to f/t? and honestly if youre still going to feed 3-4 mice every two weeks at $1.50 each, you're not saving much money by not getting a single larger rat. Plus, at petco i got a $2 off coupon almost every other visit that could be used on rats by having the petco card

ok, so if i feed one large rat once every 2 weeks that would be ok??

It's hard to tell you the size of rat without knowing the size/weight of your snake. My 4.5ft girl weighs almost 1000g (she was a rescue and way underfed) and she takes a med rat.

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Originally Posted by BlueTongueBallPython

ok, so if i feed one large rat once every 2 weeks that would be ok??

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I highly doubt hes eating a large rat.

And if you want my honest opinion. Sell your snake. Or give it to someone who can provide for it. Feeding it 3 mice every 2 weeks or simply every 2 weeks because you dont want to spend the money (obvious thats the reason) then please do your snake a favor find him a better owner :gj: