Best way to switch from live to f/t?

[55fingers]

I just learned that my BP I got at an expo a few weeks ago was on live rats instead of f/t. That explains why he didn't eat when I offered a thawed rat a little over a week ago.

He is my first BP, and I have never had to switch a snake from live to f/t before. I have no idea how. I need some help from the experienced snake keepers! What do you think is the best way to switch him over?

[Hannahshissyfix]

Do not handle at all until its eaten ft for you. Feed at night after room has been dark and quiet. Have rat thaw in the room so the snake smells it and gets into feeding mode. If thawing directly in warm (not hot) water, thoroughly dry the rat. Use feeding tongs and pinch rat on back scuff so its offered in a natural position, not just dangli g upside down. Try to stay hidden when offering the food, dont have your face right up in its busoness when its deciding if it should eat the rat or hide from the giant staring at it. There are a few other little things you can do but those are the basics assuming the rest of your husbandry is on point to make the snake happy and comfortable enough to eat.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

First he needs to eat for you a well acclimated feeding BP will switch a little more easy than one that is not.

Feed live for 3 to 5 meals than skip 2 weeks of feeding.

Thaw the rodent at room temp (if fed live rat use f/t rat, if fed live mouse use f/t mouse) and warm up with a hair dryer.

When offering the prey (in the snake's enclosure) hold the prey from behind the neck and move it in the snake cage as if it was alive.

[sugar shane]

everything Deborah said and if that didn't work and if comfortable do fresh killed rodent

[55fingers]

Thanks for all the help! Last night I finally got him to eat! Here's what I did:

*Put frozen rat in zip lock bag, then into warm water and weighed down with tongs.
*Switched off all lights in the room (yes, everything after this was done in the dark, it's fine if you know where everything is.)
*Waited 30 minutes, changed water.
*Waited 30 minutes, took thawed rat out of bag and placed on snake's screen lid for 30 minutes to pre-scent.
*Warmed it with a hairdryer.
*Offered it with tongs, and he struck!
*Once he had it, I placed a blanket over his cage and left the lights off for the rest of the night.

I'm so happy Seeing as it was his first time eating with me, as well as eating frozen! Hopefully he keeps this up.