Husbandry help

I know that when a ball python refuses food many people relate it to husbandry issues. But that isn't always the case. Are you feeding live, F/t, or pre-killed?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by New2Dis

I know that when a ball python refuses food many people relate it to husbandry issues. But that isn't always the case. Are you feeding live, F/t, or pre-killed?

---

Currently frozen bc that's all he's ever ate for me. I've tried all though. Have tried in a separate container even. I may try smaller prey the next feeding which is Friday. At first I was trying every 5 days and I've moved it to every 7 days. The rat is always heated well. I use my temp gun and make sure the temp is around 100-110

Does he take live mice?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by New2Dis

Does he take live mice?

---

DO NOT feed him live mice! A lot of ball pythons especially picky ones may develop a liking to them and it will be very difficult to get him back on rats if not impossible.

I would only suggest this if you are at the point when you actually NEED to get him eating and there is no other option.

Personally would never use live !
May not be for everyone but I would assist feed f/t or pre killed until they start taking on there own and that would be a last resort when they have lost to much weight

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scottywelsh

Personally would never use live !
May not be for everyone but I would assist feed f/t or pre killed until they start taking on there own and that would be a last resort when they have lost to much weight

---

You don't assist an animal unless you have tried every other options and live is one of them so are mice. The are a lot of things that can be done before assist feeding which is a huge step backward.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

You don't assist an animal unless you have tried every other options and live is one of them so are mice. The are a lot of things that can be done before assist feeding which is a huge step backward.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

---

As I said in my reply " That would be a last resort when they have lost to much weight""
I would do every thing ells which includes trying mice but not live feed.
Assist feeding may be a big step back but so is live feeding.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scottywelsh

Assist feeding may be a big step back but so is live feeding.

---

Your opinion involving feeding live prey, which they have evolved over thousands of years to do quite efficiently, is just that - your opinion. A ball python that feeds on its own is NEVER a step back when compared to one that will not.

It is my opinion yes. I never said it was a fact or anything more than my opinion. As for "Never a step back". If you feed f/t then have to feed live and work your way to f/t again then yes that would make live feeding a step back.

But if you don't think it is and an assist feed makes the royal feed on its own then that is also not a step back

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scottywelsh

It is my opinion yes. I never said it was a fact or anything more than my opinion. As for "Never a step back". If you feed f/t then have to feed live and work your way to f/t again then yes that would make live feeding a step back.

---

For those that prefer to feed f/t, then yes, feeding live could be considered a step back. Please re-read what I wrote again, though. I said it was not a step back from assist feeding. I will never agree with anyone who feels otherwise.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scottywelsh

But if you don't think it is and an assist feed makes the royal feed on its own then that is also not a step back

---

If all other options have been exhausted, then yes, there is a place for assist feeding. Until then...