Ball python eating chick/other birds?

[Strange_Evil]

Hey. i am just wondering can i feed my Bp birds like Chicks and parakeets,i know this is prob a stupid question but i read a lot of care sheets and have yet to come across one saying i could feed birds,so can i? I am pretty sure that in the wild they eat birds so can i feed mines birds or is it a bad idea because of all the feathers or something else.All answers are welcomed but please no guesses.

Thanks in advance!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Can they? Sure they can.

Would I recommend it? Not really, BP do not need variety in their diet and as you already know they tend to be prone to be picky eaters therefore I would recommend to stick with what works.

[RichsBallPythons]

What ever you chose to use to feed, be sure you can easily acquire it or breed it for the snakes life, in case it becomes stuck on that prey item.

[Strange_Evil]

Thanks for the fast and helpful replies,i will just stick to mice i do not want to take the chance of her getting hooked on birds ,it would look strange if i go in the pet store every week to buy a bird lol,So i will stick to mice for now until she is big enough to take a rat down,i just wanted to add a bit of variety to her diet.

[SlitherinSisters]

I wouldn't do it unless it's your last option. Like others said, whatever you chose to feed them, rats, mice, asfs, you need to be able to get it any time you need it. I never thought BPs would eat chicks, but a friend of mine was in a country in which there was a really bad flood and he was not able to get any rodents for his BPs. They actually did eat chicks, but it was only for a short term solution. It was either feed chicks or not feed them for an undetermined amount of time. His BPs survived, but I know he was just as freaked out as anyone that something bad would happen to them. I personally would never feed chicks, but only because I know that I will always have a rodent source. If it was an absolute last resort, sure. It's better than letting them die.

[TomC]

I know a guy who has and he did not have any problems but he might have been lucky. I thought about it because I live by a hatchery and they will practically give away baby roosters but I don't think I am going to mess with the good thing I have going right now. Mine has never refused a meal and I want to keep it that way as long as I can.

[mainbutter]

I don't like chicks for feeders for BPs, simply because it's my understanding that they don't rely on avian prey in the wild.

Plenty of larger arboreal or semi-arboreal snakes would do very well on chicks/chickens as part of their diet.