Burmese python rescue help.

[skatefastdieyoung]

ill probably just go with a 10x4x3 for an enclosure size (significantly less but more than the average 8). Also i'm going to try to sort of edge it in their that its being fed to a snake, but my only concern is i'm afraid of a rejection when buying them if i have to drive 2 hours to get them because that would kill me on gas (i drive a ford econoline cargo) which is more money on i have to spend on gas and less on my new family member. As for the enclosure i will happily post pictures when it is finished I'm going to pic these NZ's up today in just a few hours. I'm buying 10 of them (they're only 5$). Thanks again everybody for making this a whole lot easier. I also did the nix on the vivarium, his paper towels (since hes albino the newspaper kinda gets all over him) and i silicone caulked all wholes to prevent mite re-infestation. I see very very few mites now perhaps like 1 miniscule one every now and again. going to do it a again here in a week, that should be the end of those little pesky suckers >

[bcr229]

You can order frozen rabbit feeders online if you can't get them locally. Obviously you have to pay for shipping but you're saving on gas and time. I get mine semi-local from someone who breeds them specifically as snake food, so they're already killed and frozen when I get them. I usually get 30-40 so I only have to pick them up once every few months.

Also rabbits should not be fed live, only f/t or pre-kill, as they have very long claws and can seriously mess up a snake even if the snake gets a perfect hit on it.

[JoshSloane]

You can order frozen rabbit feeders online if you can't get them locally. Obviously you have to pay for shipping but you're saving on gas and time. I get mine semi-local from someone who breeds them specifically as snake food, so they're already killed and frozen when I get them. I usually get 30-40 so I only have to pick them up once every few months.

Also rabbits should not be fed live, only f/t or pre-kill, as they have very long claws and can seriously mess up a snake even if the snake gets a perfect hit on it.

Absolutely agree! Rabbits are incredibly destructive to snakes when fed live. They also scream bloody murder, making it an awful experience for both the snake and anyone around. Pre-killing rabbits is also much more difficult than mice and rats, unless you are willing to build a CO2 chamber.

Burms have such a strong feeding response that there is really no reason to not get frozen thawed. There are a few companies that I have seen with very reasonable shipping costs. I think at this point you should order some rabbits and feed rats until they arrive.

[distaff]

The NZ's are bred to be meat rabbits. It is unlikely the seller is expecting you to keep them as pets. Obviously, I haven't conversed with the person, but he may expect you want them as breeders. Most breeders get eaten too. If he isn't asking questions, personally, I wouldn't worry about it.

On killing rabbits: This seems to go against the grain with reptile people, but frankly, as a farmer and homesteader, I DON'T understand why. It is NOT hard to humanely kill a rabbit! I have done hundreds of them. I use a small four pound sledge hammer from any hardware store, and a sharp knife. Hold bunny firmly on a clean stable surface. The ground covered with an old cloth or paper bag works fine. (I always offer a prayer and thanks. We are taking a life here, after all.) Visualize an X between the rabbit's ears and the eyes. bring the hammer down firmly on that spot. Err on the side of farther back than too far forward. I give it a couple of good blows. The skull will be crushed. Because I am butchering for our table, I cut the head off and hang the carcass briefly to bleed. You can probably skip this step, and go straight to the hungry snake.

SnakeBytes has an episode where Brian and that Australian guy are feeding the big snakes. The rabbits in that particular episode looked freshly killed to me - not particularly stiff yet, and not wet as if they were f/t. Furthermore, all the rabbits had blood around the mouth. I don't think that batch was euthenized with CO2.

[JoshSloane]

The NZ's are bred to be meat rabbits. It is unlikely the seller is expecting you to keep them as pets. Obviously, I haven't conversed with the person, but he may expect you want them as breeders. Most breeders get eaten too. If he isn't asking questions, personally, I wouldn't worry about it.

On killing rabbits: This seems to go against the grain with reptile people, but frankly, as a farmer and homesteader, I DON'T understand why. It is NOT hard to humanely kill a rabbit! I have done hundreds of them. I use a small four pound sledge hammer from any hardware store, and a sharp knife. Hold bunny firmly on a clean stable surface. The ground covered with an old cloth or paper bag works fine. (I always offer a prayer and thanks. We are taking a life here, after all.) Visualize an X between the rabbit's ears and the eyes. bring the hammer down firmly on that spot. Err on the side of farther back than too far forward. I give it a couple of good blows. The skull will be crushed. Because I am butchering for our table, I cut the head off and hang the carcass briefly to bleed. You can probably skip this step, and go straight to the hungry snake.

SnakeBytes has an episode where Brian and that Australian guy are feeding the big snakes. The rabbits in that particular episode looked freshly killed to me - not particularly stiff yet, and not wet as if they were f/t. Furthermore, all the rabbits had blood around the mouth. I don't think that batch was euthenized with CO2.

Ah, I was under the impression these were being sold as pets. Totally awesome that you farm and homestead. I have profound respect for self-sufficient Americans. My only worry is that people who don't have the experience with butchering animals will not be able to perform the procedure you detailed in an efficient way. I euthanize mice and rats every day, and perform surgeries for research purposes. I am by no means blood shy. But I know that I would not be able to crush a rabbits skull, especially if there were easily acquired frozen options.

[skatefastdieyoung]

Just got my first 10 NZ's. Perhaps after these are gone, ill try frozen thawed. Any suggestions on good sites with low shipping costs? rodent pro was going to charge me 62.70 for shipping! Also i tried handling again today and noticed his eyes are cloudy so hes probably going into shed, i guess ill hold off until the entire shedding process is over. In addition, could i pre-kill, then ziploc and freeze them myself? or would that be a terrible idea. i have them in kind of a fenced in area right now and it would be WAY easier to put them in my freezer, but if it isn't a good idea i absolutely WILL NOT do it. Once agin everybody you're all so very awesome with all of this help and VERY useful information!!! Thanks alot guys!

[frostysBP]

Yes you can kill and freeze them no problem...monster feeders is the cheapest I know of especially his piglet prices

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[bcr229]

You can certainly kill them now and freeze them until feeding day. I pull anything larger than a 1# rabbit or jumbo rat out of the deep freeze two days before feeding day and put them in the refrigerator to thaw slowly before warming them up, as otherwise they take for-e-ver to bring up to eating temperature.

For that many you may want to make a CO2 chamber.

[distaff]

I suggest pre-kill. An outside pen, as in "kind of a fenced area" is not going to work well for long. They dig, they are heat sensitive, and you will loose them to predators. Depending on their age, the males may start fighting.

[Penultimate]

If you want a long-term supply of rabbit meat and are unable to find frozen thawed, I suggest finding an ARBA rabbit show nearby. I breed a fairly uncommon kind of rabbit (called a tan) and frequently show them. At most of the shows near me, there's a lady who buys the rabbits that don't fit the ARBA Standard of Perfection for dog food. The breeders know exactly where the rabbits are going and they are fine with it (Most actually seek her out. Remember, most rabbits have big litters! It's nearly impossible to find homes for them all, especially the meat breeds.) I would go to a show and set up a space with a scale and a sign that says "Will buy your culls" and list some prices. Once people know you're around, they'll bring the rabbits to you. If you have access to frozen thawed rabbit, that is a far better alternative. This is just a different way to do things.

Oh, and I second distaff. The males will absolutely start fighting (likely to the death) if they're old enough. Even the females have been known to squabble a fair bit.