Fingers crossed! - Question also

We have 1.1 very stubborn normals that have been such picky eaters. They're just over a year old and just recently came upon 300g. I've monitored their weights closely and they haven't had any loss, so I'm thankful for that, but it's just so stressful when they decide to be so picky. I believe we were a bit too hasty when we'd offered them live the first time (it was a month fast at that point) so I think they got too used to it.

I just came across a supplier who is consistent with their availability of rats (this was also an issue for us) as well as ASF's. It's been about 5 months since they actually ate a FT meal. So with this new supplier delivering to us, I decided I'd try them out on a couple live ASFs. Obviously they took em no problem. This week I thought "okay, lets give this FT thing another whirl with ASF this time" and whatta ya know! They both struck. Our male gobbled it down, but Jenny, our female, startled & let it go when I put her lid back on. She just stared at it the rest of the night, looking as if she was stalking it, hoping it would move. Her striking at it initially makes me optimistic, though.

I'm going to give Forrest 2 more FT ASFs at his next 2 feeds and then try making the switch to rats. Now, my question is, should I toss a live ASF in there for Jenny next week and then give FT a try again after that? Or should I run with my optimism and just offer her FT ASF next week?

I would go ahead and try the f/t again. If she doesn't go for it try live the next time. I've heard from a lot of people that ASF are excellent for getting picky eaters going and getting mousers on rats. Keep us updated, I find this topic really interesting!

I'd give the f/t one more try, just do the zombie dance a little longer :3 or wait to put her tub back until she's dug into her dinner, so to speak. Sounds like she wants it, but doesn't know what to make of it not moving.

Welllll, my dilemma is that our supplier only delivers to our area every 2 weeks. They take a 1.5hr ferry over here. Since I'm not a huge fan of keeping live rats for a week (or even know what kind of husbandry they'd need lol), I figured I'd order her 1 live one & one frozen one. If I were to get 2 frozen & she decides "nuh uh", it'll be another 2 weeks before I could get her live.

I definitely agree that she was prob like "wtf :tears:" when she realized it wasn't going to move lol. Little bit hesitant. The spoiled lil brat haha

Housing "leftovers" is pretty easy. I have a glass tank (with a lid) that has a rodent water bottle, food bowl, and a hide. If you feed live, you're bound to have leftovers once in awhile. Having a simple setup ready will help you when this dose happen. Just make sure the rats have food and water at all times. Then, when feeding day rolls around again, offer the food then clean the tank. Pretty easy.

I know what you mean about keeping the rat for a week! I don't know about ASF, but common rats do have a smell and my wife HATES it!

What kinda food would I toss in? I read somewhere that dog kibble will do? :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by treeboa

I know what you mean about keeping the rat for a week! I don't know about ASF, but common rats do have a smell and my wife HATES it!

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I'm with your wife on this one. I may be out of the norm in loving snakes, but like all women, I like my house smelling pretty lol.

ASFs don't smell nearly as bad a mice or rats. I would be surprised if you even notice anything in a week with just 1 or 2. They are more of a desert animal and tend to drink less water and produce less liquid waste.
Dog food works as a portion of their diet but should not be the only thing they get. I haven't had ASFs in 6 months now and am having trouble finding more but usually a grain and seed mix with a little dog food has worked best for me. If its only for rare occasions you could just pick up a premixed bag at any pet store, more expensive but for your situation it would probably last a long time.
I wonder how difficult it is to transport rodents across the boarder?