FINALLY took F/T! -__-

[redshepherd]

Cake finally took a F/T adult mouse today for the first time since his weird fluke right when I obtained him 5 months ago.

He never has any trouble locating the head and swallowing for a live mouse. But on the F/T today, he spent 20 minutes biting the butt and mid-section of the mouse, and then letting go. Thank God he didn't give up on it, and he eventually found the head.

I had heated the head quite a bit warmer than the body in particular FOR that head target, but I suppose that's not what he cared about. :\

So good news, he took the F/T prey, finally! Neutral news, he's taking so long biting the butt, I hope he doesn't give up next time. Any tips for this?

Also, how many feedings do you think he should do to test if he's consistent with F/T, before committing to buying a pack of jumbo mice online?

[redshepherd]

I also forgot to ask: how long can F/T mice and rats be stored in the freezer and be safe for feeding?

[Mustang5]

Nice! For the first question I would try holding the F/T mouse behind the head so when he bites if he gets the head. For the second question I have a question for you, hold big is he? Because if he is over 250-350g I would get him on weaned rats right away. Now to answer your question I would say 2-3 consecutive feedings. The last question I am not 100% sure about but from personal experience the longest I have had feeders in the freezer is 3 months. Might want to get a breeders take on that question. Good luck!

[Aercadia]

I think frozen prey is good in the freezer for up to 6 months. :) Congrats on getting him to take his first F/T!

[highqualityballz]

I was told they good for up to 12 months in the freezer!

[MarkS]

I've used frozen rodents that were several years old with no problems. I believe that most of the issues with meat that has been frozen for long periods of time isn't so much that they lose that much of their nutritional value but that they lose their flavor. Probably not a big worry with rodents. At least my snakes have never sent any of their meals back to the kitchen so I think they're fine with it....

[Strigoi]

Is it longer if they're vacuum sealed? That's how I keep mine and I still have a lot left (bought 50 a few months ago).

My one ball just had his first adult mouse tonight and took it no problem. He'll be getting them from now on. I have a 2mo pied and he wouldn't eat the F/T hopper I tried to give him. I just got him about a week ago from Reptiles by Mack and they said he was eating live pinkies. He's big enough for hoppers and I was hoping he'd go for the F/T. My other ball had only been fed live when I got him and switched to F/T without any issue.

I'm really hoping I don't have to feed live but will if necessary.

Sorry for rambling a bit there. Had a few too many beers tonight.

[Aercadia]

I think 6 months is if they're just in ziplock bags, being taken out as needed... I imagine that as with people-food, prey items in better preserving conditions will last longer. I think ziplocked prey items "go off" because of freezerburn, but it does depend on the conditions of the freezer - humidity, temperature, quality of the plastic you've got them vacuumed/bagged in, etc - so your millage may vary! If the snek still tek, feed the food. Snek will tell you if it's no good!

[Mr.Grim]

If it is an airtight container and is kept at 0 Degrees Fahrenheit, frozen meat can be kept indefinitely.

[redshepherd]

Thanks guys, the info is good to know. =)
Especially if there are those who have used frozen vacuum-sealed for over a year without a problem. Because I just bought a total of 65 rats and mice for the three of my guys. :| I think I bought these on a whim

Cake is currently 290g, so I feel he's still a LITTLE small for weaned rats at the moment. I just bought 25 jumbo mice for both Cake and Yukon (eventually) to eat, until Cake is up to size for possibly small rats... which would take a few months. So hopefully the small rats lasts in the vacuum-sealed bag they come in.