Quote Originally Posted by Jughead915 View Post
I figured I'd see if anyone else has experienced this (and I'm sure some have). My ball is just about two years old and has been on frozen since he was a month or so old. In the beginning there were no issues and he accepted frozen mice then rats every 10-14 days. Then at about a year he started getting picky. At first he didn't seem to want rats anymore and when I offered a mouse he took it. Then he went off feed for a few months and wouldn't take either. Then back to mice with an occasional rat. Then he went back off feed for 4-5 months. This time I started to get a little concerned even though I know male balls are notoriously picky eaters and I've heard that some have gone much longer than 6 months. Everything in the tank is correct; good hides, hot spot, ambient temp, etc. I tried feeding early morning, early evening, and late night in total darkness to no avail. I even attempted to scent the mouse/rat with chicken broth; this drew a sniff but nothing more. Finally I thought what if I tried a live mouse, in case it was an issue with frozen. I got a mouse that was mid-sized but definitely on the small side of what he could accept and when I offered it he grabbed it immediately. I mean within seconds. I monitored the entire process to make sure the mouse didn't get in a position to hurt him. Two weeks later I tried another frozen, nothing. Waited a day and offered another live mouse...within seconds it was dinner.

Has anyone experienced a ball who just goes off of frozen? He just doesn't seem interested anymore, even when I prep it with a good warm water thaw and a blow-dry to heat the core up. I know I can only offer mice for so long before I have to move up to rats, and I've heard the horror stories of what a live rat can do to a ball.

Thanks.
Yes! My girls haven't had live for over a year and tend to do this from time to time. I play what I like to call the 'hunger games' MAKE HIM WAIT! He will take, I swear. My 6 year old male is a rescue fed only live. Took me almost 2 months before he took his first frozen, but he did. If you've been successful once, you can do it again.

If you wanna step inside, pay admission at the door...
🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥
🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔
🐕🐕🐕🐶🐶
🐱🐈🐱🐈
🐦🐤🐦🐤
🐍🐍🐍
🐊🐊
🐠
Total= 30 ❤