It seemed so wrong, but felt so right...

[Sprinkles]

It seems that it’s humane to hit a rodent in the back of the head so that it dies quickly and painlessly. I realize this is kinda the standard, but it’s something I don’t really want to do.

You're willing to bash a rat's face in but not to thump it on the back of the head? I'm not really understanding your logic on that one. I don't think anyone here is arguing that hitting a feeder on the head is humane; the point is it's not nearly as bad as smashing its face in or crushing its foot.

[jere000]

I have to agree with bruce on this but i feed live and simply what i do is put a pencil in the rats mouth unless the snake grabs it in which a way the rat can not fight back such as biting the face and constricting when put the pencil in their mouth they chew until they die then i move to the next snake simple no crushing it was just common sense to me but crushing the rat on the other hand is a different story that is not common sense that is just narcissistic now I'm not trying to take a shot at you but what you did was extremely over the top.

[Chocolate Muffin's]

You're willing to bash a rat's face in but not to thump it on the back of the head? I'm not really understanding your logic on that one. I don't think anyone here is arguing that hitting a feeder on the head is humane; the point is it's not nearly as bad as smashing its face in or crushing its foot.

It's a matter of opinion - they are both the same to me. The end result is also the same, except I didn't deliver any blunt force trauma - more of a direct and sustained approach. I actually think the animal was already on its way to dying, but again, as I have said a thousand times, it was my first time and the process was new to me. I will be more humane next time, but my animals health and well-being will always come first.

[mfkelly]

Personally, I think you should have just fed F/T and be done with it. But I have to say that I am a little appaulled about your crushing feet and heads! That really is not humane in anyway! Don't get me wrong I have a female pastel that right now only eats live, and since I want to breed her next year I will continue her on live, but there is no way i would treat her food cruelly. Which in my opinion is what you did! There are more humane ways to offer live food, such as stunning or pithing.
Mike Kelly

[Chocolate Muffin's]

I have to agree with bruce on this but i feed live and simply what i do is put a pencil in the rats mouth unless the snake grabs it in which a way the rat can not fight back such as biting the face and constricting when put the pencil in their mouth they chew until they die then i move to the next snake simple no crushing it was just common sense to me but crushing the rat on the other hand is a different story that is not common sense that is just narcissistic now I'm not trying to take a shot at you but what you did was extremely over the top.

That is a new one. Never heard of sticking a pencil in a rodents mouth. Great - nope, don't think I'll be doing that either. Sorry, I just don't see it....I don't see how pinching the tongs was more cruel...really a pencil? What about the lead, the splinters, the opportunity for the snake to get hurt by that....that is by far the wildest definition I have heard called humane....

[Chocolate Muffin's]

Personally, I think you should have just fed F/T and be done with it. But I have to say that I am a little appaulled about your crushing feet and heads! That really is not humane in anyway! Don't get me wrong I have a female pastel that right now only eats live, and since I want to breed her next year I will continue her on live, but there is no way i would treat her food cruelly. Which in my opinion is what you did! There are more humane ways to offer live food, such as stunning or pithing.
Mike Kelly

"Stunning at Pithing?" What is that?

[Patricia]

It disgusts me, and I regret even clicking on this thread. Thank goodness there are no accompanying photos.

[Chocolate Muffin's]

It disgusts me, and I regret even clicking on this thread. Thank goodness there are no accompanying photos.

Why would there be photos? Where did that come from? There are photos of other members feeding their pets live animals....be careful what you wish for.

[marct]

I totally disagree with what you did. I'm not going to try to change your mind about your actions because it is obvious you are immature, inexperienced with snakes, and/or your just plain self centered. You're not going to win this argument with 99.9% of the members here. The more you talk, the more ignorant you sound. Just quit posting come backs, gain some experience with your animals, and through time you will learn that you made a mistake.

[coldblooded]

I'm not sure this thread is even productive anymore.

No, I don't agree with what occured. I have fed live before and I am quite confident that the snakes can handle it on their own without interference ..BUT.. we all have to remember that we were all new at some point, to something, and it can be scary. It is a lesson learned, do we really need to keep bashing?

I prefer F/T, but I also don't mind a bag of rats next to my waffles. Whatever works best for you and your snake, but do try to learn other ways of handling a live feeding. Don't underestimate your animals, either.

Good luck