Picky about feeders?

[sneakerpro]

I went to a "super" pet store to get some feeders today, and they said that they wouldn't have more until friday. Friday doesn't work for me or my BP because TODAY is feeding day. I'm trying to stick to a schedule so he'll be easier to feed.

So I went to a "mom & pop" type pet store that I'm not too crazy about. If you are into fish, they have an awesome selection and a great setup for them. If you like anything other than fish this store will make you angry > . All of the reptiles seem dehydrated, and some of the small animals seem a little overcrowded. I bought 3 feeders from this place, and am regretting it a little bit.

So, after all of that, the question is:
How picky does a responsible snake keeper need to be when buying feeders? What things should I look for when buying feeders? I have VERY limited experience with feeding live, and everything that goes with it, so any advice/knowledge would be greatly appreciated!

[Freakie_frog]

I am very picky about my feeders. The quility of feeders will relate to the quility of your snakes.

[Sasquatch Art]

I am all about quality..That's why I love raising my own feeders.

When I bought all the time from a certain pet store I switched feeding day on the stores delivery day. They would aways have them ready for when I walked in.

[Ginevive]

Rats: look for clear eyes (no reddish or brownish goop around the eyes.) A nice rounded shape without the rat being overly fat or underweight skinny. A female with a pear-shape might be pregnant.. this might make her too large around for your snake. Also, make sure that the rats are not missing patches of fur or having scabs on the skin. Whole, clean tails. Active and robust "feeder" rats, which are not regularly handled, are generally afraid when someone reaches for them; a rat that just cowers or is breating very heavy and rapidly is probably ill.

[sneakerpro]

Well, at least I feel good about the feeders I bought today.

After these 3 are gone I will be going to my local Petco to get feeders. They cost about $.50 more per feeder, but I will feel a lot better about them. My local Petco does a really good job with their small animals.

Is this what most of you live feeders out there do? Or is there some secret society of fantastic feeder breeders that nobody has told me about.

[sneakerpro]

A female with a pear-shape might be pregnant.. This might make her too large around for your snake.

I'm talking about mice, but I'm sure this still applys. I may have a possible candidate. One of the three is looking a little bit round. I guess it could just be chubby, but if it is preggo, is that a problem with feeding other than size-wize?

[ajeff]

Petco is expensive, but there "feeder" mice and rats are actualy pets (well, its more of a "we don't call them feeders") so when you go into petco for snake food, you are actualy getting something ment to be a pet.

Actualy I would not mind picking up a couple rats from petco every so often as they do look clean. If I was to start breeding rats, I would likly start with petco for the parents (would need to go to different ones to get males and females).

If you see a prego rat or mouse, grab it and get another for your animal... wait till the female pops and let her raise the babies a bit and when they are weaned, just feed them off

[sneakerpro]

Since I bought three today it bought me a little time to see if this one is actually prego or not. I'll watch it for the next couple of weeks and hopefully save some money if she does end up giving birth!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

How picky does a responsible snake keeper need to be when buying feeders?

Very picky which is why I breed my own!

If the animal, looks unhealthy, dehydrated, skinny, his covered with feces, sneeze a lot etc I would not buy it!

[kurgan]

Another grat advantage to buying f/t in bulk.
Seriously an option you should consider - switching to f/t if your snake will play ball.
May be easier said than done but it makes supply worries vanish.