Switching to f/t

[kaylxo]

My baby ball will take live without a problem, so I decided on Friday (her feeding day) to try her with f/t. She smelled it and was interested in it, but ultimately decided against eating it. Since Friday she's been very active at night (sleeps in her hide all day), I think it's because she's hungry. I'm going to wait until Friday to feed her again, would it be best to try f/t again, or should I feed live since she is still young and growing?

[Albert Clark]

It's a lot easier to switch them from live to frozen thawed when they are young. It can be a bit trying but usually the youngsters will eventually switch over. You do have to tweak your husbandry and make sure it's spot on. Then it may take several attempts b4 they switch concentrating on heating the f/t up to a 100f signature bc that will be important.

[kaylxo]

I think heating it to 100F is my problem, because she has taken f/t once before. Normally i thaw the rat pup under cold running water for 40 min and then warm water for 15 min and then blast with a hair dryer. Any suggestions to improve what I'm doing now?

[Albert Clark]

I think heating it to 100F is my problem, because she has taken f/t once before. Normally i thaw the rat pup under cold running water for 40 min and then warm water for 15 min and then blast with a hair dryer. Any suggestions to improve what I'm doing now?

I don't think that you're getting the prey warm enough internally by just warming for 15 mins soaking. The chest and abdomen of the rat is pretty thickened and warming should be done longer than 15 mins. It also depends on the size of the prey also. For example, a rat pup will thaw and warm quicker than a small rat. So that is a consideration as well.

[amrakweno]

I let my hopper mouse thaw for about an hour 1/2 or 2 , then blast it with a hair dryer while kinda rubbing mouses head / belly to ensure its thorough. Then hit it with the infrared gun. Today it was about 124 on head and belly so as I could dance it in front of hide and allow cooldown. He took it after about 60 seconds or so. I would guess it was below 100 by then , they seem to cool rather quickly in my short experience.