Live vs frozen thawed

[Bogertophis]

I know it's better to feed thawed. But when do you switch? When a rat is able to post a threat or as soon as possible. I have a couple new babies . This is why I'm asking.

A couple things I've done in the past when I needed to switch snakes that initially objected to f/t-

-feed a smaller-than-meal-size live one first (the "appetizer"), then offer one f/t (not too big either, so the combined meal, if taken, isn't too large for the snake). Many
snakes are still very pumped up from the first item to take it...then the next time offer only f/t & they should do better at recognizing it as edible. No guarantee though-
some snakes -BPs especially -may only accept one item per meal no matter what. Just depends on your snake's personality quirks.

-another way to transition is to offer fresh-killed (not necessarily pleasant for you, but this can also help them to accept).

-young BPs are the least finicky, so for sure, switch them to f/t early as possible. It's safer, it's healthier, & often helps snakes be better (calmer) pets, less likely to bite
out of confusion.