Switching to F/T feeders... where to buy?

After another case of my male refusing food and the rat being highly aggressive and trying to bite my snake (he didn't - I swatted him out of the way in time) I am dead set on switching to f/t. I have had to kill rats before and store them in the freezer and thawed them and he ate them fine so I know he'll be OK but I just don't know where to purchase them- I HATE KILLING RATS (I mean who enjoys it .. :-/.. not really the circle of life like when my snakes eat them). All the online places (rodent pro etc) charge like $50+ shipping and I only have 2 snakes so I don't want to have a freezer full of rats either... anyone have any suggestions on where to buy f/t ?? I live in Los Angeles... Thanks!

Um... pet stores? Even petco/petsmart sell them if you are desperate. I recommend finding nearby stores and calling them. LA is a big honking city and one person's easy drive is an hour trip for you... Some places will sell you a flat of rodents with a bulk discount. Or you could post on Fauna Classifieds looking for someone local...

I checked with Petsmart and the biggest they sell is large mice and I need rats. I just joined Fauna today I'll see what I can find there ... Thanks

I always pick mine up at the local reptile shows. I usually find the prices to be in line with the online retailers, and I don't have to pay shipping and handling. I just pick up 50 rats at a time....

I wish there was a reptile show coming up soon in socal... none that I know of at least!!

See if there is a local herp club you can join. I get mine from one. Much cheaper then petsmart.

I buy all of mine from Rodent Pro, but I do have 30+ snakes currently. Do you know any other snake hobbyist in the area? Maybe you could split shipping. You can also buy in bulk. I have also bought a few f/t from local pet stores, but they do cost quite a bit more from Rodent Pro. Buying from shows is nice, because you do not have to pay for shipping. However, I believe the rodent dealers raise their prices for shows, which makes sense. Good luck either way.

Hi there! I did a google search for herp events in LA and came up with this:
Aug. 13-14
Pomona, CA
Reptile Super Show, Los Angeles County Fairgrounds/Pomona Fairplex at the LA Pet Fair, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Info: Ramy Guirguis, 619-281-7387; reptilesupershow@gmail.com, reptilesupershow.com.

It's all the way in August but it gives you something to look forward to. There might be more, just try a search locally too for a reptile store. (In MA it's not bad, idk how hard it is in LA)

Yeah, I use Big Cheese Rodents, but I have a dozen animals. For just one or two snakes, I'd frequent my local reptile stores. Google says "Amazon Reptile Center" was chosen as "the best in LA by Los Angeles Magazine"...

.... I'd probably also send Heather at Heather's Herps a quick e-mail or private message (LadyOhh is her user name here) and ask her if she has rats for sale, and/or what reptile stores she'd recommend in the greater LA area.

Convincing a snake to switching to f/t can take a month or more, though. How old is your male?

(I think you should do it! Just be prepared for him to be a pain about it. It's easier with young snakes, and easier in the summer.)

Thanks for the responses...
I'll definitely send Heather's Herps another e-mail she was very quick to respond yesterday and extremely nice! I've fed my male 3 f/t before and he ate them just fine... (ones I had to kill myself because he refused to eat). He was born in '09! Thanks again... I'll look up that Amazon place too I've never heard of it...

ahh ok that Amazon reptile place is in Covina which is a good 2 hours away (although 40 miles, with LA traffic it will take 1-2 hours unfortunately)

on another note

GRRR this forum is so interesting and addicting it is the demise of my GPA

That's right, shipping prices are ridiculous online. I've also had to kill the rats which was very upsetting to me because I had 2 pet rats as a kid. I would look for a family owned pet shop because they are usually a little cheaper. Any reptile shows near you? That's how I get mine.

A couple of people on this board passed me their information who sell locally. Either pick up or delivery. I can look for their contacts and shoot them to u if needed.

I use big cheese rodent factory. They offer better service than rodent pro. They also vacuum-seal the rodents. I live nearby so I just pick up locally, but they ship too! They are fresh and offer all sizes of rats. Petsmart is wayy overpriced too.