I was just looking into this so perfect timing. I have a local source for live. Rat pinkies up to weaned rats are 1.50 ea. $2.00 for small rats, 2.50 for medium and 3.00 or 3.50 for large if they have them.

Currently I have 2 snakes but I plan on getting more next year. My little girl is currently eating rat fuzzies and the boy is eating pups. After I priced everything out, Big Cheese was actually a few dollars less expensive than the local source. This was before the supplies I need for the euthanization tank. I previously used dry ice for my co2 source but will be switching to a co2 tank.

Since I don't know how fast my current snakes will grow out of eating their current prey size, I am ok paying a few dollars more to not have to buy in bulk quantities. That way I won't be stuck with excess prey that is too small for my snakes. If I knew that my snakes would be eating the same size prey over the next 6 months, I would definitely buy in bulk. Much less hassle.