How I convert feeder types
I see this question asked a lot, and I get PMs asking as well. So, I figure I would outline how I convert from mice to rats, or live to f/t.
For converting a live mouser to f/t rats (full spectrum scenario):
FIRST: offer a rat pup (or whatever your goal is), she may just take it.
IF NOT:
Relax and BREATHE, this may take longer than you think. Patience is key.
Live mice 3 feedings in a row (if they refuse, other than for a shed, start over)
3 unscented live rat pups in a row (scent the first ones if needed with mouse shavings, but do not count them in the 3)
3 fresh killed rat pups in a row (or skip to f/t, may or may not be needed)
frozen thawed rats (make sure they are VERY warm, I use a hair dryer after fully thawing them)
If at any point they refuse I go back a step and start over (ex: refuses the second fresh killed rat, I will go back to live rats for 3 feedings, etc...)
Once they have taken a few f/t in a row, I will generally not switch back to live or mice unless they go over a month without eating.
I generally go on the smaller side for prey when switching to prevent freaking them out from prey size.
If you have a die hard mouser, you can still use the steps to get to f/t mice.
I have never had to resort to braining, or anything like that. Also, this guide is for snakes that have been feeding, not for newborns that need to be started. That is another topic.
Anyone else feel free to post up any tricks you have!
Re: How I convert feeder types
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KatStoverReptiles
Do you use pups regardless of the size of the snake? If I have a 1000g adult bp would you still offer pups in order to get it converted?
For 1000g I may use weaned. I have found you want to eliminate the variable of too large a prey size. I have a 1000g girl who will take weaned but balks at anything bigger.
Re: How I convert feeder types
Quote:
Originally Posted by
van_garret2000
Why would you switch back if they go just over a month without eatting? That is still a short period of time for a snake to be off food. It's really jumping the gun on switching back unless they are unhealthy.
WHen trying to keep females putting on size at a decent rate, I have no problem going back a step to keep them going. I they refuse live, then it is a real hunger strike and you wait it out.
So IMO not jumping any gun.
Re: How I convert feeder types
Quote:
Originally Posted by
van_garret2000
That's understandable sometimes people want their snakes to eat more then snakes even want to for breeding purposes and such. A lot of the people on this site also have their snakes as pets and do t have to keep them eatting as much as breeders would so mentioning they should do that after a month I think is still jumping the gun IMO but everything else in your post I thought was great. Good work.
If that is some kind of slight towards how I feed my animals, then you can come out and say it. I do not think that offering another food type after a month is any kind of problem. It is by no means force feeding or power feeding. It is making a food source available for the snake to take or not. Pet or not has nothing to do with it. So this idea of the snake eating "more than the snake even want to" is a non-argument. The snake takes the food of its own accord. As I said, if it then refuses, we wait it out just like any other fast. I do not appreciate any insinuation that I am power feeding my animals to get them to size.