Frozen or fresh?

[BlueMoonExotics]

Ok so I ordered everything I need for my new snake except for food which I'm kind of looking for some support to assure me that f/t will be ok lol. Some are telling me that I really should feed live because it's healthier and "natural" for the snake. I read an article (I think it was on here) that also said I should consider freshly killed mice. Something about the blood after it's been frozen I believe as well as issues with salmonella. I really would prefer to go with f/t if possible. Here's my issues with "fresh" mice:

1. I don't want to have to raise mice for various reasons.
2. If I did I would have to go with freshly killed since I worry way too much about the mouse hurting the snake. I don't think I'd have the heart to kill it .
3. My boyfriend and mom are scared to death of rodents. Nope, not snakes, not roaches, just rodents.

With all of that being said I would still consider it if you guys thought it was absolutely necessary. I want to know if any of you feed frozen/thawed and if so would you say that a snake fed live or fresh killed is more healthy/alert/happy than one that isn't? Have you had any problems with feeding f/t?

[reptileexperts]

when you freeze blood the essential Amino Acids are still intact, and usually not denatured . . . so, this should have zero effect on the "quality" of the food. But if you buy poorly frozen / killed rodents you may run into other issues. . . I avoid feeding live just because I have too many snakes to worry about breeding rodents and having a supply on demand. F/t has worked for me and my snakes for well over a decade, and I'm sure others will vouche in just as well... the benfits to live is that they are cheaper for you if you breed them. However, if you only have one snake, it's far better to just keep a pack in your freezer as needed. . . and try and buy semi local to save on harsh shipping cost on small orders.

[Daybreaker]

I want to know if any of you feed frozen/thawed and if so would you say that a snake fed live or fresh killed is more healthy/alert/happy than one that isn't?

Have you had any problems with feeding f/t?

All but one of my snakes are on f/t and I haven't had any problems. I don't believe a snake who's on live is more healthy/alert/happy than one who's on f/t: as long as they're eating they'll have energy, be alert to look for their next meal, and be as happy as a snake can be as long as husbandry is on too.

My only problems is that some of my snakes will take the feeder then not eat it, or miss when striking and then refuse. Though those can be issues with feeding live too: another downside to f/t is that I don't refreeze the feeders (preference) if I have a refusal so it can be a waste of money.

[swansonbb]

I think most people feed f/t. You have nothing to worry about. You should ask if your new snake is already on f/t or live. Sometimes they're a bit picky about switching to f/t, though there are numerous suggestions on this site as to how to help switch them over.

[satomi325]

There's pros and cons to both frozen and live. But in the end, its just personal preference. They're relatively the same nutritionally.?

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[alpine]

I just switched my baby over to frozen thawed. I like them because you can store them pretty discreetly in the freezer, and in my case I actually have my own freezer, I don't have to buy them continuously every week when I feed. Buying frozen I can buy like 5-10 and not have to buy for a month. Which is spectacular

[BlueMoonExotics]

The breeder is working on switching her over now to f/t. I requested that he do so since I was pretty sure I was going to go with f/t up until recently. You guys have put my fears to rest now though and I think I will stick with the f/t if at all possible. Since the mouse won't be moving around I'm assuming that you just wiggle it in front of their hide to get a reaction strike? Thanks everyone for your input it definitely helps! I'm glad I found this forum before I got her home. Everyone here has been a huge help!

[RestlessRobie]

I prefer F/T just for easy and safety. I use some hemostats I purchased at Harbor Freight grabbing the rodent just above the shoulder blades and Zombie dance it in front of most of my snakes. I have one guy who wont eat a F/T if he thinks I am watching I think he assumes it is not cool for the wild Ball Python to be eating F/T and does not want anyone to see. So for him I just drop it in his enclosure last and walk awy it is always gone in the morning. I defrost my rodents in the fridge the night before and soak in HOT tap water for about 30-45 min then preheat the heads with a blow dryer. Present with a Zombie dance and bam they strike and constrict almost every time

[shelby9189]

with my first snake we tried f/t he refused it. we switched ti live and he ate it instantly with out any problems.. To me live is a lot quicker and to me seems like it would be a lot healthier I would rather eat somthing freshly killed than something that has been froze for lord know how long

[Mike41793]

The breeder is working on switching her over now to f/t. I requested that he do so since I was pretty sure I was going to go with f/t up until recently. You guys have put my fears to rest now though and I think I will stick with the f/t if at all possible. Since the mouse won't be moving around I'm assuming that you just wiggle it in front of their hide to get a reaction strike? Thanks everyone for your input it definitely helps! I'm glad I found this forum before I got her home. Everyone here has been a huge help!

Yea you can get a pair of tongs to wiggle it in front of them so that way its easier for their "heat sense" to target the mouse/rat and not your hand haha. The "wiggling" youre describing is the exact same thing that people are calling zombie dancing. Zombie dance means wiggling the f/t rodent in front of them.

I got my tongs from Reptile Basics. Rich is an awesome guy to do business with and will get your order to you FAST.

I got the 12" hemostats which is plenty big for feeding bps.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/husbandry-stainless-page-4