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

[Feanturi]

Seems like a lot of people willing to condemn here. Just want to add my support Choco. Sounds like you are looking for a better way to deal with your own situation, and I figure to each his/her own. I have, thankfully, a group that mostly takes f/t without much trouble (except of course, the BP's which seem alternately disinterested in live and scared (!) of f/t). But even with the corns (which eat anything, moving or not ) there's often a situation where somebody's holding out. 2 missed feedings and it's live pre-killed. A quick whack on the back of the head and it's done. I hold them by the tail, and use the edge of a cage (wooden) to strike against - it only takes a quick flick of the wrist. It's how it's done here in farm country, and the snakes hit quick if they are still twitching. I prefer f/t mostly due to the parasite issues, but I believe we think things way too through sometimes, and snakes deal with it all better than many are willing to believe. I am thankful as well that I don't have to breed rodents here; the stink is more than I care to put up with. Raising mealworms is bad enough.

I don't appreciate cruelty on any level, and while I do all I can to treat these animals humanely. If I have to pick them up live they have a cozy travel box, and I play them nice music on the ride home. But first and foremost they are feed, and destined to die. They are rodents; it is the way of things. And if there's an issue I will act in my snake's best interests. It sounds like your first time dealing with killing something, and mistakes are made. I salute you for being brave enough to share the experience and adult enough to deal with the consequences.

And I gotta disagree with those who need to slam you. I'd probably not have been as kind in my replies. I just don't get the "You must conform to my beliefs" crowd. They are of the same stock (albeit of different flavors) as the people who would ban us from keeping these amazing creatures because they think it's cruel to keep any animal in a cage. Forums are great learning tools, and using them to express your opinion on a subject is one thing, but slamming others because of your righteous opinions is not what this is about. Had you been bragging, I'd likely have felt different. But it sounded like you were sharing an experience, and were/are willing to learn from others. I guess that is lost on some.

Sounds like you have learned a lot; I know I have through this post. Best of luck with future feedings.