Can you use all frozen rodents for balls?

[Chris Behof]

I'm new to the ball python thing and want to get some input.

Does anyone use just frozen rodents? How big of a pain would that be?

Thanks,

Chris

[PitOnTheProwl]

A lot of people only feed frozen, it is great if you snake will eat them.
I have a couple that wouldnt switch so everyone gets live, so much easier for me and if not eaten they go back into the rat rack.

[Skittles1101]

I feed only frozen for all of my reptiles (except crickets). I feed live only if I have to, like for a stubborn baby or something. It's not a pain at all, I actually find it much easier. All I have to do is thaw them out, heat them up and drop them in. I don't have to worry about injuries or anything. I can leave them in overnight and they are usually gone by morning. It's also cheaper than buying live, unless you breed your own. Good luck!

Leah

[zach_24_90]

I feed all frozen. But I also do that for a reason haha there are no rat breeders within a couple hours from here and I'm NOT buying that many from the store lol so yeah I make a bulk order that lasts a couple weeks

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I used to feed F/T exclusively until I reach a certain number of snakes, with a growing number I find it less convenient and a hassle.

So it really depends on the size of your collection and at what number you will consider it a hassle.

[purplemuffin]

frozen is way cheaper too, instead of 4 dollars+ for a rat, try 1.25, or even less if you order in bulk!

I find frozen easier. If you don't breed rats, it's a pain to deal with a live one if you have a stubborn feeder/only one or two snakes and had no plans of owning a pet rat!

[Skittles1101]

frozen is way cheaper too, instead of 4 dollars+ for a rat, try 1.25, or even less if you order in bulk!

I pay .50 a rat for weaned and under, and $1.00 a rat for larger from a private breeder in my area

[mainbutter]

I've never started hatchlings, but all the BPs I've ever had have only been fed F/T. I've switched between mice and rats without issues either.

Especially with a small collection, small clutches and (for the adults) smaller individual feeders than for big adult carpet pythons make F/T feeding a breeze. If I had 5 ball python clutches in a year, you bet that I'd still stick to F/T. If I had 5 carpet python clutches in a year, each with the potential to have 100 or more hatchlings, I'd seriously consider breeding rats just because thawing out that many feeders can be a hassle.

Similarly, if I had 20+ female BPs laying clutches year 'round, hungry snakes of various ages and sizes all needing different sized feeders, and I bred my own feeders, I likely wouldn't feed F/T unless I was out of a particular live size.

I'd still likely feed P/K however, cervical dislocation is so simple especially on anything smaller than 50g.

That said, the ever-popular Snakebytestv shows on youtube featuring the goings-on at BHB Reptiles have covered their feeding strategies in the past. They feed large numbers of snakes F/T by thawing mass feeders in buckets. The BPs in their shop are fed live though, I suppose it's a bit of a time saver on a "stereotypically" less enthusiastic predator than their impressive numbers of colubrids.

I guess I really don't know my opinion on it overall, other than the fact that I find my entire collection easier to feed F/T to than the effort needed to raise rodents. I'm sure you'll find out what works for you.

[wax32]

You can use frozen rodents for balls, but they don't bounce very well....

















Feeding? That's all I use.

[PitOnTheProwl]

You can use frozen rodents for balls, but they don't bounce very well....