I place my f/t rat on the lid of a butter container and I put it outside his hide when he is on the other side of the enclosure. I don't know how good of an idea this is. I put the dish in and close the enclosure immediately though so I never touch him with rat smell on my fingers. Anybody know if this is a good idea?
10-30-2007, 12:13 PM
Stewart_Reptiles
Re: feeding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr_Gonz0
Pull your ball out for handling, and while it is out, place the prey in it's enclosure. Once the prey has been put in, then return your BP to it's enclosure, and it will never associate the bin opening with food time. :)
Robin
Actually I would not recommend this and for a few reasons
First if you BP is conditioned to eat the same day every week your BP know when feeding day is and trying to handle him before feeding could likely lead to a bite (I would not dare try to grab any of mine for handling on feeding day unless necessary and I would proceed with extreme caution)
Second if he does not bite you are still likely to stress your BP by handling him prior to feeding, which could lead to refusal
Bottom line if you have a good feeding routine your BP will not associate opening the tub with feeding, If you feed the same day every week and pre-scent the room you BP will know when feeding day is.
10-30-2007, 01:00 PM
Dr_Gonz0
Re: feeding
Quote:
Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons
Actually I would not recommend this and for a few reasons
First if you BP is conditioned to eat the same day every week your BP know when feeding day is and trying to handle him before feeding could likely lead to a bite (I would not dare try to grab any of mine for handling on feeding day unless necessary and I would proceed with extreme caution)
Second if he does not bite you are still likely to stress your BP by handling him prior to feeding, which could lead to refusal
Bottom line if you have a good feeding routine your BP will not associate opening the tub with feeding, If you feed the same day every week and pre-scent the room you BP will know when feeding day is.
It is a possibility i suppose, but i have never had a problem. I also have never had this method end up with a bite. Nor has this inhibited any of my ball's feeding responses or ended up with a refusal to eat. I have never really had huge problems with stubborn feeders, so i don't even bother to pre-scent. Obviously you need to read the snake's body langauge, but i think you are making it to be worse than it is, they are not blood thirsty piranha after all. They then never assume me opening a bin with food time. Less likelihood of a bite really if anything in my opinion.
I do cage maintanence before hand, then feeding after ... every sunday. They go into their clean new tub with a tasty treat waiting for them.
I am not saying everyone needs to do this, or you are wrong if you don't. All i am saying is i find it works for me. Try different things and see what works best for you.
