A few starter questions

[satomi325]

Hello all,

I'm new to BPs. I've been doing quite a bit of research in the past few months and hope to get my first hatchling soon. (Hopefully at the next reptile show in October)

Anyway, I would like to raise up my own feeders. I currently have 3 ferrets and I feed them live mice occasionally as snacks. The mice are store bought in groups of 3. One for each ferret every few weeks. I would like to feed them live more often because it is healthier than kibble, but buying from the store is expensive. For 3 mice it's about $8+. And I never bothered with raising my own feeders in the past because my ferrets don't need them to survive.

However, if I'm going to get a BP in the near future, I would need to have a steady flow of feeders for it. And buying them from a store just seems like a rip off. So it seems logical to start a colony. For the feeders the snake can't eat, the ferrets can. Right?

So a couple of questions.

How much do you guys pay to have a feeder breeding operation? Like what is the approximate monthly upkeep cost/# feeder?
How many pups does a female on average produce?

I don't plan on a large group. Maybe a small colony of 1:2 or 1:3 to test out the waters for a few generations before expanding.

I've read that you should start a BP on rat pups. I've only fed my ferrets adult mice. Does anyone know if adult rats are too aggressive to feed to ferrets?
The mice are too busy running for their lives to fight back when I place them in the ferret feeding bin. However, I've heard that adult rats can be somewhat harmful and will fight back when threatened. The ferrets won't eat pre-killed. They enjoy the thrill of the hunt, so feeding pre-killed rat is somewhat a difficult option. (I suppose they can feed off adolescent pups if the adults are too aggressive)

Also, in terms of rats. Are dwarfs the same as 'small' rats. Like Petco/Petsmart has 'small', 'medium', and 'large' rats. That's the only visual example I can compare to. I'd rather not breed the 'large' ones. Those are beasts. Even though my small female is my best killer, I'm sure a 'large' rat is big enough to fight back and hurt her.

I know all snakes are different sized. And they all eat different sized food. But on average, what size feeder rat do you feed?

Where is the best place to buy a healthy rat stock? The ratteries in my area are somewhat expensive and will not sell their rats as feeder(breeders). And I'd rather not go to my local petco. The animals in my particular petco look ill and diseased... I was thinking about going to the place I get my feeder mice, but I just wanted other people's opinion first.

Thank you. Hope to hear some helpful tips!




1.0 Champagne Mitt Ferret
1.0 Chocolate Ferret
0.1 Sable Ferret

[oliverstwist]

Hello all,

I'm new to BPs. I've been doing quite a bit of research in the past few months and hope to get my first hatchling soon. (Hopefully at the next reptile show in October)

Anyway, I would like to raise up my own feeders. I currently have 3 ferrets and I feed them live mice occasionally as snacks. The mice are store bought in groups of 3. One for each ferret every few weeks. I would like to feed them live more often because it is healthier than kibble, but buying from the store is expensive. For 3 mice it's about $8+. And I never bothered with raising my own feeders in the past because my ferrets don't need them to survive.

However, if I'm going to get a BP in the near future, I would need to have a steady flow of feeders for it. And buying them from a store just seems like a rip off. So it seems logical to start a colony. For the feeders the snake can't eat, the ferrets can. Right? For a moth or two you will be in an awckward spot with the bp eating fuzzys and they only stay that size as feeders (and hopper size) for about a week and then you will likely have 5 extra mice

So a couple of questions.

How much do you guys pay to have a feeder breeding operation? Like what is the approximate monthly upkeep cost/# feeder?mouse food - 1.50lb - lasts two weeks for three mice
How many pups does a female on average produce?

I don't plan on a large group. Maybe a small colony of 1:2 or 1:3 to test out the waters for a few generations before expanding.i run one three

I've read that you should start a BP on rat pups. I've only fed my ferrets adult mice. Does anyone know if adult rats are too aggressive to feed to ferrets?
The mice are too busy running for their lives to fight back when I place them in the ferret feeding bin. However, I've heard that adult rats can be somewhat harmful and will fight back when threatened. The ferrets won't eat pre-killed. They enjoy the thrill of the hunt, so feeding pre-killed rat is somewhat a difficult option. (I suppose they can feed off adolescent pups if the adults are too aggressive)adult rats are MASSIVE. big enough that alot of bp's dont eat the jumbos. i wouldnt chance a fight between an adult rat and your ferret. i fear it wont fare well

Also, in terms of rats. Are dwarfs the same as 'small' rats. Like Petco/Petsmart has 'small', 'medium', and 'large' rats. That's the only visual example I can compare to. I'd rather not breed the 'large' ones. Those are beasts. Even though my small female is my best killer, I'm sure a 'large' rat is big enough to fight back and hurt her. small medium an large refers to where they are in the life cycle as size. unless it is specifically a dwarf breed rat, a small rat will grow to a large rat/ jumbo rat size

I know all snakes are different sized. And they all eat different sized food. But on average, what size feeder rat do you feed? medium to my adults

Where is the best place to buy a healthy rat stock? The ratteries in my area are somewhat expensive and will not sell their rats as feeder(breeders). And I'd rather not go to my local petco. The animals in my particular petco look ill and diseased... I was thinking about going to the place I get my feeder mice, but I just wanted other people's opinion first.

Thank you. Hope to hear some helpful tips!




1.0 Champagne Mitt Ferret
1.0 Chocolate Ferret
0.1 Sable Ferret

[Wiggles92]

Since you want to feed your feeders to both your ferrets and the ball python that you anticipate getting, you might want to consider looking into African soft-furred rats (ASFs).

I'm no expert, but, from a size standpoint, the ASFs will never be too large to feed to an adult ball python (weigh about 60g as an adult) and are equivalent to a small rat as an adult. The only downside is that they can be a little fussier about the temperatures for breeding (fine with heat, but dislike the cold) and take longer to reach adult size than rats.

[satomi325]

Thanks for the info oliverstwist!

Since you want to feed your feeders to both your ferrets and the ball python that you anticipate getting, you might want to consider looking into African soft-furred rats (ASFs).

I'm no expert, but, from a size standpoint, the ASFs will never be too large to feed to an adult ball python (weigh about 60g as an adult) and are equivalent to a small rat as an adult. The only downside is that they can be a little fussier about the temperatures for breeding (fine with heat, but dislike the cold) and take longer to reach adult size than rats.

I'll look into them. I don't think I'll find any sources in my state(CA), but I'll try!
Thanks for the tip.

[satomi325]

(sorry for the double post...Don't know what happened...)

[Wiggles92]

Thanks for the info oliverstwist!



I'll look into them. I don't think I'll find any sources in my state(CA), but I'll try!
Thanks for the tip.

Ah, in that case, don't bother looking for live ones because they're illegal to have in CA...

[satomi325]

Ah, in that case, don't bother looking for live ones because they're illegal to have in CA...

That's what I initially thought. But I just went to the California Department Fish and Game site to look up the prohibited animal list, and i didn't see them listed. Anyway, I'm not surprised they're illegal. Everything is illegal here..psh

[oliverstwist]

.... how do you have ferrets in CA?!

[satomi325]

.... how do you have ferrets in CA?!

2 of mine are rescues from a Ferret Shelter in CA. The third was given to me because a medical student didn't have the time to dedicate to his kit. There are many ferret groups in CA who take in rescues, surrenders, and strays. Some have state permits. And a number of people get their ferrets by just driving over the border....

Trust me. Ferrets in CA are actually extremely common. I probably know more people with ferrets than cats or other pocket pets. CA is estimated to have the largest population of ferrets in the US and 30% of ferret supplies in the country are sold in CA. Actually, Petco and Petsmart have their own ferret section here. And it is legal to take a ferret to a vet.(which is a weird rule considering the actual animal is prohibited?)

Overall, ferrets are so common, people tend to think they're illegal to sell but legal to own.

Regardless, they're illegal for a misinformed BS reason, and the CA Fish and Game needs to shape up. (They worry that ferrets can form feral colonies and destroy all native animals....)

-----------------

Also, another feeder question. Do you prefer separate tubs/tanks for females and their litters, or harem style where all your feeders (M+Fs) are together plus the mice/rat pups? I've read in a different section of the forum that its a personal preference, but I'm just asking for opinions...

Is there a recommended place to get a dwarf rat? Or just from private ratteries?

[satomi325]

Ah, in that case, don't bother looking for live ones because they're illegal to have in CA...

Guess what! I found Soft Furred Rats! A nearby reptile specialty store carries them. That's some what exciting and surprising news!