Getting hatchlings to feed

[Creepy Alien]

Its not frowned upon. What is unethical would be making the choice to breed ANY animals but not prepared for possible outcome.
I don't care what or how you get them eating but "you" made a choice to create and might not be able to get a food source that might be needed?!?!
That in itself should be a deciding factor. Just my thoughts.

I agree with you. I have both live and frozen rats (and Asfs) here. I haven't needed to feed live to any of my snakes, but they come first and I always have a backup. I don't think that is unethical (and I'm not saying you were telling me that, but I have thought out all of these scenarios before I tried my hand at breeding). I prefer to feed my snakes F/T, but that's just my choice. I've learned a few things, had some problems here and there, but I think I've got it down okay.

I will say that I think some people feed live because it's easier for them and they might not weigh all the possible outcomes of that. Either way, I'm comfortable with how I do things, and I have reasons thought out for them (for my situation). We all have our "right ways", and I try to respect everyone's choices... as long as they value their animals and put them first.

It's all good with me .

[PitOnTheProwl]

I will say that I think some people feed live because it's easier for them and they might not weigh all the possible outcomes of that. Either way, I'm comfortable with how I do things, and I have reasons thought out for them (for my situation). We all have our "right ways", and I try to respect everyone's choices... as long as they value their animals and put them first.

It's all good with me .

And that I can respect.
F/T was cool with less than 10 snakes. Now with over 50 all eating different sizes its not easy. Helps that I saw a long time ago that I would need to start breeding my own feeders too. The worst part of F/T is when the time comes that a rodents life was lost and in the trash because no one would eat it. In my case it goes back to the tub it came out of to live another week.

[h20hunter]

I'm always a bit surprised to hear reptile owners that feel it is inhumane to feed live. These are predator animals, not goldfish. Yes, I know captive animals don't "need" to hunt and don't have to be fed live but these are snakes. They eat rodents. They are perfectly suited above just about any darn critter out there to find, kill, and consume their single meal in one go. They are perfect. Have we become so far removed from our own food and nature that we are disgusted by what nature intended? I hunt and feel sadness everytime I have brought death to a hillside, a foggy ridge, or a quiet draw. However, that is replaced by a respect for that animal and what it will provide my family. We need to get in touch with our food, just as a snake does.

[Eric Alan]

People need to be adults and acknowledge what they're doing rather than bash anyone who suggests that f/t is a more humane alternative to live feeding.

I certainly consider myself to be an adult, and a well-educated one at that. Unfortunately, it was at this point in your reply that I realized that none of that matters and anything substantive I would provide to clarify my position would fall on deaf ears. If "grow up and agree with me" is the best you can come up with, I've probably typed too much already.

[Creepy Alien]

And that I can respect.
F/T was cool with less than 10 snakes. Now with over 50 all eating different sizes its not easy. Helps that I saw a long time ago that I would need to start breeding my own feeders too. The worst part of F/T is when the time comes that a rodents life was lost and in the trash because no one would eat it. In my case it goes back to the tub it came out of to live another week.

I completely understand and respect that. I genuinely love my rats (not my ASFs ;-) ), and seeing wasted lives isn't very nice... not even evil little ASFs ;-) . I bought a boa who has completely fixed that problem for me :-) .

[maximum411]

I really did not come on here to get into a long debate about the merits of f/t vs. live, so this will be the last response I post on this thread. In any case, there is nothing "natural" about placing a domesticated rodent in a small cage with a captive raised snake until the snake eats it, or for that matter raising color mutants that would never survive in the wild in artificially heated plastic tubs and incubating their eggs. Even if that were in any way "natural," who ever said natural is right? If being natural is so important, you shouldn't raise snakes in captivity at all, and probably shouldn't use vaccines or antibiotics on yourself. In the wild whatever helps a species survive will happen, but as reasoning humans, we can make choices about what happens in captivity. I always place the health and well-being of all animals that I take care of first, and that includes feeder rodents as well as snakes.


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[h20hunter]

Now don't get snippy (snake pun and only intended to bring about a smile).....

We are way past keeping things natural. As long as you are feeding your animals and respecting the prey they feed on whether it be f/t or live or even freshy killed as I have had recent experience, that is what matters. Doing the best with what you have, caring for your animals the best you can.

Live or not live, humane and this or that, that is all just discussion and on the side.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I always place the health and well-being of all animals that I take care of first, and that includes feeder rodents as well as snakes.

We can finally agree on one thing here. All our animals get better care and are taken care of before my wife and myself, yes even the roaches.
On that note Im taking my ball and going home too.

[Felidae]

Maybe I'm a bit late with my post, but I was offline for a while. It's not always a question of ethics. I'm in the situation where I don't have choice, and I MUST feed F/T. In my country the live feeding is illegal. Unless I drive to an other country to buy some live mice or rats, or I try to find a dealer in my area and buy the little rodents like illegal drugs, I cannot get just frozen. Easy or not, the hatchlings must start with them.

[Jcash34]

Maybe I'm a bit late with my post, but I was offline for a while. It's not always a question of ethics. I'm in the situation where I don't have choice, and I MUST feed F/T. In my country the live feeding is illegal. Unless I drive to an other country to buy some live mice or rats, or I try to find a dealer in my area and buy the little rodents like illegal drugs, I cannot get just frozen. Easy or not, the hatchlings must start with them.

Where do you live if you don't mind me asking?