First time feeding Baby a cornished game hen

Baby is my 11 foot Burmese python. I was into another forum a time ago where the owner of the site passed away. well, before he did, he suggested feeding my burm a game hen that you buy in the grocery store. Well, I am happy to say, he aced it!!! as soon as I put the hen in his enclosure, he was ON IT!!! That of course delighted me. I have never fed Baby anything else but live prey before. I wanted to start him on something more nutritious than rats. (Aside of the juvie chickens) I was afraid that if I gave him a live chicken, he would get hurt with the chicken`s beak. So I finally tried this. Now that I know he will eat f/t... the sky is the limit!!!!
Unfortunately, I tried to take a photo of this, but it didn`t come out so well.
I only fed him one, since he had to figure out where the head was supposed to be, it took him a while to start swallowing the correct end of the hen so it would go right down. He is pretty tired... Will feed him the other tonight and this time I will get at least one or two good photos to share!! :D:D:D:D:D
Just thought I`d share my excitement with those who are interested.https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ctures_010.jpg

Why not just feed rabbits?

You fed a cleaned hen?

Yes. someone suggested it that has been doing breeding and even milking hots for a long time. until he passed. Baby eagerly took it, too I have A soft spot for bunnies.

Interesting... a game hen... whatever works. Not sure if thats as nutritious as the other more common options.

Off topic, but is that a feeder cage or your normal cage? Seems a bit small for a burm that size, or at least what I can see from the picture.

that is his normal enclosure. you cannot fit the whole thing in the frame. It is like a very large phonebooth. It is 8 feet tall, four feet deep and four feet wide. he is pretty comfotable in there. Do you know some people keep their snakes in tubs? wouldn`t you think that would be less room than what I have provided?

Beautiful Burmese!

thank you. he`s about 7 years old. and quite docile. I spent all day, every day with him when he was a baby for about 3 years. I`d carry him around or let him roam with me around the house. I knew he would be big., so I studied him hard.

It is more nutritious than a rat, say. It`s not like I would only feed him hens. I HAVE had snakes for a while. Also, I like to give him variety, without having to worry about getting his eyes pecked out or bitten by a rabbit`s teeth. Or even mites. It is a good in between feeding snack. I was taught this buy a man that has been breeding, morphing, milking hots for anti venom. so I trust his advise.

I'd be worried about preservatives and other added stuff into the chicken. Never know what's in your food these days. Unless you buy it organic, then it's pretty easy to find out.

Glad you found an option that you like though! I love bunnies too, one reason why I'll never have a snake that will require eating bunnies.

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Originally Posted by Elise.m

I'd be worried about preservatives and other added stuff into the chicken. Never know what's in your food these days. Unless you buy it organic, then it's pretty easy to find out.

Glad you found an option that you like though! I love bunnies too, one reason why I'll never have a snake that will require eating bunnies.

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Always buy certified organic.... I would never feed my Baby anything unnatural. He is my first and we all have a special bonding with our first anything. Not that my other 4 are less special:)

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Originally Posted by 5snakes

that is his normal enclosure. you cannot fit the whole thing in the frame. It is like a very large phonebooth. It is 8 feet tall, four feet deep and four feet wide. he is pretty comfotable in there. Do you know some people keep their snakes in tubs? wouldn`t you think that would be less room than what I have provided?

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less area yes, but burms aren't really arboreal snakes, so ground space is usually better than head space, whether thats in a tub or a cage. Cool to hear that your guy is such a good eater

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Originally Posted by 5snakes

Always buy certified organic.... I would never feed my Baby anything unnatural. He is my first and we all have a special bonding with our first anything. Not that my other 4 are less special:)

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Also, if you don't like the idea of rabbits, you could try piglets. My burm loves them.

Sweet lookin snake man!

Does he like to climb around on his branches and stuff? does he hang out up there?

yes. My Baby LOVES his applewood perch I have hanging up from the ceiling of his enclosure. I do have some pictures of him doing just that. he climbs all over the place. I think If I didn`t have his branches and his special perch up there, he would be bored when I didn`t have him out. If Burmese aren`t aboreal, whttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/s...9/100_1424.jpghich I know in the wild the aren`t, they sure are in my house. If you look at the picture, this is where he spends i`d say 1 third of his time.

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Originally Posted by jtyson123

less area yes, but burms aren't really arboreal snakes, so ground space is usually better than head space, whether thats in a tub or a cage. Cool to hear that your guy is such a good eater

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Some people keep their snakes one way and others keep them another way. It doesn`t make anyone rite or wrong, It is just the way we keep them. I have had this snake since he was 2 feet long, and this is how I raise him. You raise your snakes a different way. That is okay. I thank you for trying to give me advice, and I hope your words are to try to help me and not to try and make me look like I don`t know what I am doing, because I do. I have had him for 7 or so years, and 4 other constrictors to follow him. They all are healthy and happy, and all very layed back.
So, again, thank you for your concern, but I think I`m doing fine. Not that I am not open to suggstions, I just get the feeling you think your way is the only one. It is Not. Enjoy your reptiles, I certainly enjoy mine.

I think that Burm hangs on his perch 'cause he just got no other choice! :P

Just my two centavos!

that is your opinion. what you don`t know is he is out of his enclosure most of the day.

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Originally Posted by 5snakes

Some people keep their snakes one way and others keep them another way. It doesn`t make anyone rite or wrong, It is just the way we keep them. I have had this snake since he was 2 feet long, and this is how I raise him. You raise your snakes a different way. That is okay. I thank you for trying to give me advice, and I hope your words are to try to help me and not to try and make me look like I don`t know what I am doing, because I do. I have had him for 7 or so years, and 4 other constrictors to follow him. They all are healthy and happy, and all very layed back.
So, again, thank you for your concern, but I think I`m doing fine. Not that I am not open to suggstions, I just get the feeling you think your way is the only one. It is Not. Enjoy your reptiles, I certainly enjoy mine.

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Not intending to bash. Burms are just very heavy bodied, so they spend very little time in the trees in the wild. Technically you are giving him enough floor space so there is nothing wrong with your enclosure. they say a minimum of 1 sq ft for every foot the snake is long. at 11' your burm still has room to roam with 16 sq ft. People just usually give a longer box, so thats why it looks different to those of us who keep our big guys in standard housing.

Be careful letting him roam. Crazy neighbors can call the cops and if they believe there is a chance your animal could escape they can have animal control take him.

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Originally Posted by jtyson123

Not intending to bash. Burms are just very heavy bodied, so they spend very little time in the trees in the wild. Technically you are giving him enough floor space so there is nothing wrong with your enclosure. they say a minimum of 1 sq ft for every foot the snake is long. at 11' your burm still has room to roam with 16 sq ft. People just usually give a longer box, so thats why it looks different to those of us who keep our big guys in standard housing.

Be careful letting him roam. Crazy neighbors can call the cops and if they believe there is a chance your animal could escape they can have animal control take him.

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I think if the snake likes to climb that its okay.. i mean.. thefact they spend all thier time on the ground or not, doesnt matter

you gotta remember these are captive animals. in the wild they dont go into trees becuase the mice ect, aka thier food is on the ground

in captivity, they learn that they dont need to be on the ground, and they dont need to even move to get food, it comes to them, usually the same day ever 7 days or every 10 - 14 days

So treating snakes like they are in the wild is kinda stupid in captivity....


Just my :twocents:

Ok. I thank you for your input. Actually, I am building him a new zoo- like display in a wall in my home, with access to the enclosure through the other side. It will look like any other zoo enclosure you see with Burmese or any other giant species. I will be SURE to enclose photos when it is fully complete. Freinds???:)

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Originally Posted by MikeV

I think if the snake likes to climb that its okay.. i mean.. thefact they spend all thier time on the ground or not, doesnt matter

you gotta remember these are captive animals. in the wild they dont go into trees becuase the mice ect, aka thier food is on the ground

in captivity, they learn that they dont need to be on the ground, and they dont need to even move to get food, it comes to them, usually the same day ever 7 days or every 10 - 14 days

So treating snakes like they are in the wild is kinda stupid in captivity....


Just my :twocents:

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Right totally agree. we should see if parrots can adapt to aquatic set ups. Why would we want to mimic anything natural? :weirdface - - - Lol Just Kidding

You are right, in captivity these animals don't have to do anything at all. and if it likes to climb, climb away! But you would figure that all the folks who have been doing this for a lot of years would have arboreal cages if that was what ideal conditions would be for the snakes in captivity.

I didn't say to change anything. If the snake is healthy, eats well and seems happy, its fine. The cage is above and beyond good enough. It has more than enough floor space, and it has room to climb since this guy likes to. The OP has a good looking snake and a nice set up.

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Originally Posted by 5snakes

Ok. I thank you for your input. Actually, I am building him a new zoo- like display in a wall in my home, with access to the enclosure through the other side. It will look like any other zoo enclosure you see with Burmese or any other giant species. I will be SURE to enclose photos when it is fully complete. Freinds???:)

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That sounds awesome. I would love to do that with my big guys. Not only should you post finished pics, but maybe even a how to. I can't imagine it would be terribly hard, but its always nice to see how someone else has made it work

I for get where I posted how we made the enclosure that you see here, But I most definitely will. Oh, by the way, I own my own home, and my neighbors are super cool and know what I have in my home. I was saying I let him roam inside my house with me. I have other posts of stories about my Baby. Check them out if you are interested.
Like I said, I have the up most respect for my fellow keepers, I only ask for the same. I hope we can share stories in the future.

This has gone too far here. I thought it was cool to tell a story about something unusual and we have a some what strange debate. Of course we want to make our reptiles as close to a simulated wild enclosure as we can. There is another thing I would like to point out. species adapt. It doesn`t matter what kind it is. Not saying a parrot will start to swim. that is just out there. I see your point, but I think if you are a part of a forum, we all should respect what the other is saying. So, with that in mind, I am glad we are all friends here, and lets all try to be nice and respectful with eachother.... unless deserved otherwise.. I believe it is up to a Mod to deside.

The OP has a good looking snake and a nice set up. Buy the way, I`m not up to par with chat lingo. I hope "OP" is a nice word.

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Originally Posted by 5snakes

The OP has a good looking snake and a nice set up. Buy the way, I`m not up to par with chat lingo. I hope "OP" is a nice word.

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I would hate to start in a new forum with people that don`t like me for whatever reason...

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Originally Posted by 5snakes

This has gone too far here. I thought it was cool to tell a story about something unusual and we have a some what strange debate. Of course we want to make our reptiles as close to a simulated wild enclosure as we can. There is another thing I would like to point out. species adapt. It doesn`t matter what kind it is. Not saying a parrot will start to swim. that is just out there. I see your point, but I think if you are a part of a forum, we all should respect what the other is saying. So, with that in mind, I am glad we are all friends here, and lets all try to be nice and respectful with eachother.... unless deserved otherwise.. I believe it is up to a Mod to deside.

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Didn't mean to come across rude, I was just joking because of the other person's post about it being stupid to try to mimic any sort of natural habitat. Species do adapt, but more often than not, its best not to assume they will just get used to things. I am not referring to your snake, just animals in general.

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Originally Posted by 5snakes

The OP has a good looking snake and a nice set up. Buy the way, I`m not up to par with chat lingo. I hope "OP" is a nice word.

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OP is Original Poster. Nothing bad. Just one of the many acronyms to get used to. I still haven't figured out even a small percentage of them out and I have been on a variety of forums for almost 5 years so don't worry

I know this thread started on the subject of eating a hen (my burm is very picky and will only take whole chickens on his own - I stuff rabbits in his mouth when he's almost swallowed the chicken), but seems to have strayed into the ever popular housing debate.

Certainly people keep their animals in different ways. Some people keep their snakes only to make money. Some people strive to provide the best possible environment for their charges.

I think providing a large, zoo-like enclosure for one's burm is awesome. I think the notion that providing a square foot per foot of snake is absolutely deplorable. An 8x3 is sufficient for a 24 foot snake? You've got to be kidding. I think those guidelines might work for hidebox dimensions!

And whoever said burms aren't arboreal? Give them the space, and they'll use it. A lot of people want to make themselves feel better for providing crappy living conditions for their animals, and suggest these terrible cage dimensions, saying the animal doesn't have to look for food therefore doesn't have to move at all. What a crock! If your animals are so happy in these enclosures, how about leaving the door open; see what happens. Oh my god! It moved!

Anyway, just taking the opportunity to rant a little. Sorry.

I also think a 7 year old male burm should be larger than 11 feet, but that's a whole other post.

Chris

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Originally Posted by mumps

I know this thread started on the subject of eating a hen (my burm is very picky and will only take whole chickens on his own - I stuff rabbits in his mouth when he's almost swallowed the chicken), but seems to have strayed into the ever popular housing debate.

Certainly people keep their animals in different ways. Some people keep their snakes only to make money. Some people strive to provide the best possible environment for their charges.

I think providing a large, zoo-like enclosure for one's burm is awesome. I think the notion that providing a square foot per foot of snake is absolutely deplorable. An 8x3 is sufficient for a 24 foot snake? You've got to be kidding. I think those guidelines might work for hidebox dimensions!

And whoever said burms aren't arboreal? Give them the space, and they'll use it. A lot of people want to make themselves feel better for providing crappy living conditions for their animals, and suggest these terrible cage dimensions, saying the animal doesn't have to look for food therefore doesn't have to move at all. What a crock! If your animals are so happy in these enclosures, how about leaving the door open; see what happens. Oh my god! It moved!

Anyway, just taking the opportunity to rant a little. Sorry.

I also think a 7 year old male burm should be larger than 11 feet, but that's a whole other post.

Chris

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Minimum space requirements are stated, not what I suggested. I personally believe with these giants, the more room you have for them, the better. As for them not being arboreal I didn't say that. I said they aren't really arboreal. They are semi arboreal by nature. But the truth is, with a snake 100+ lbs and over 10ft, thats a lot of meat to hang on to branches. I can't imagine a snake nearing 200lbs attempting to climb much of anything. I would LOVE to see a picture of a giant hanging in a tree in captivity, or especially in the wild. If anyone has any please post! Sorry for the thread hijack

I am guilty of taking it in the wrong direction. My bad! Maybe we should move this housing discussion elsewhere, or just give it up since none of us will ever agree entirely

I don't believe anyone was attacking anyone in this thread. I do think the poster of this thread is taking everything a littttttle to seriously.


Relaxxxxxxx, if you are comfortable with how you are raising your snakes who cares what others think....although it is nice to get praises =]

you are correct. I also think that Baby is small for his age. He is a male, which makes him smaller than a female would be, but I DO agree with you whole heartedly. This is why I have been increasing his feeding times and variety of food/ prey. I started this post because Baby has never eaten anything that wasn`t live. I thought it was a good thing that he took a f/t prey item so eagerly. also he does love his perch when he is in his enclosure, But he will be gaining extra weight since I have decided to increase his food and the amount of time in between feedings, which leads to the zoo like enclosure I am planning.

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Originally Posted by MGOBLUE

I don't believe anyone was attacking anyone in this thread. I do think the poster of this thread is taking everything a littttttle to seriously.


Relaxxxxxxx, if you are comfortable with how you are raising your snakes who cares what others think....although it is nice to get praises =]

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thank you for your input. yes I do think I take things a little too seriously. I am, after all putting a little of what I do out there for other people to read. I am very comfortable with the way I raise ALL of my pets. Put it this way, you wouldn`t like other people telling you that what you have been doing for the past 7 years is wrong, would you...
I tend to take it to heart. I am new in this forum and have met a few people that I do like and enjoy having conversations with. I would like to be liked...as anyone would.

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Originally Posted by jtyson123

Didn't mean to come across rude, I was just joking because of the other person's post about it being stupid to try to mimic any sort of natural habitat. Species do adapt, but more often than not, its best not to assume they will just get used to things. I am not referring to your snake, just animals in general.

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That is why I said this thread has gone way to far. I enjoy the debates, but I do tend to take things to heart. I have been put off by forums because of some rude people, so that is why I am a lot on the defensive. Lets just be freinds and maybe in the future, we all can find ways to debate without offending anyone... Best wishes.:) I hope we can have some pleasent conversations in the future.

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Originally Posted by jtyson123

Didn't mean to come across rude, I was just joking because of the other person's post about it being stupid to try to mimic any sort of natural habitat. Species do adapt, but more often than not, its best not to assume they will just get used to things. I am not referring to your snake, just animals in general.

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Hold up

I didnt say it was stupid to mimic natural habitats

I was saying its stupid to treat the animal as if it was in the wild (Example.... not giving it branches because it is supose to be a ground snake....)


See what I mean?

I think you misinterpreted what I said (and as 5snakes said, its better to have a peaveful respectful conversation, so lets keep it that way please)

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Originally Posted by 5snakes

thank you for your input. yes I do think I take things a little too seriously. I am, after all putting a little of what I do out there for other people to read. I am very comfortable with the way I raise ALL of my pets. Put it this way, you wouldn`t like other people telling you that what you have been doing for the past 7 years is wrong, would you...
I tend to take it to heart. I am new in this forum and have met a few people that I do like and enjoy having conversations with. I would like to be liked...as anyone would.

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I completely agree, I would tend to be on the offensive as well if people were attacking my methods. As long as the snakes are eating well, shedding well, in good health then I wouldn't change a thing. Just got to remember no matter what the situation in life there will always be haters, just brush em off and keep movin forward

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Originally Posted by MGOBLUE

I completely agree, I would tend to be on the offensive as well if people were attacking my methods. As long as the snakes are eating well, shedding well, in good health then I wouldn't change a thing. Just got to remember no matter what the situation in life there will always be haters, just brush em off and keep movin forward

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I couldn`t agree more. Nice to meet you, MGOBLUE. so let us consider this thread way off the topic. IAs I said I just though the story I had to tell when I started this thread could be interesting to some readers. This is why we join forums,no? to tell about own different experiences to other reptile keepers. At least that is what I thought.... SO, on to new things, yes?... Lets!