Feeding

[Ziggy31984]

I have been giving my boop snoot hamsters on occasion now when I couldn’t get the size rats for him I’ve been getting hamsters now I have gotten him hooked on hamsters I have tried asf he didn’t want them I have offered mice he took those for a while now back to hamster I didn’t consider asf rat before hand I have read somewhere on here or maybe facebook that some like quail for those who give your boop snoots what set up do you have I am in a duplex so my space is limited if I get quail
This is my set up in the office the tray is to catch any food particles rodent pee/poop the card board is to help give them shade I also am using this to star seedlings for my garden I am making some modifications as needed for each season to keep it comfortable for rodents and people the other spot is in the dining room


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[Lord Sorril]

have read somewhere on here or maybe facebook that some like quail for those who give your boop snoots what set up do you have I am in a duplex so my space is limited if I get quail.

My parents raised quail for food in their basement. You don't want them. Even if you keep them super clean to limit the smell-they still produce an enormous amount of dust. You can cover the cages with something to prevent the dust from spreading, but, it will only slow it down. The bird dust will eventually coat everything in the entire room.

If I only had a few snakes then I would definitely buy frozen-rather than deal with the hassle of raising the food myself.

[Ziggy31984]

My parents raised quail for food in their basement. You don't want them. Even if you keep them super clean to limit the smell-they still produce an enormous amount of dust. You can cover the cages with something to prevent the dust from spreading, but, it will only slow it down. The bird dust will eventually coat everything in the entire room.

If I only had a few snakes then I would definitely buy frozen-rather than deal with the hassle of raising the food myself.

My parents have chickens and that’s what they said as well when there chick and arnt able to go out side yet and unfortunately he doesn’t do pre kill try several times lol


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[Lord Sorril]

My parents have chickens and that’s what they said as well when there chick and arnt able to go out side yet and unfortunately he doesn’t do pre kill try several times lol

Hahaha yeah, I have chickens too. We raise the chicks indoors and it makes a hell of a mess.

If you only have one snake then it is a pain to try and switch them to frozen/thawed because you might end up losing a rodent in every attempt.
In my opinion: Switching a ball python to frozen/thawed relies on three things:

1. The hunger level of the ball python. (they need to be really hungry)
2. How the rodent was thawed. (slowly thawed inside a plastic bag floating in warm water)
3. The temperature of the rodent at feeding time. (blast the rodent with a hair dryer to heat it up-immediately before feeding)

Adult ball pythons can go for almost a year without eating, so they can afford to be picky before switching...which makes it super aggravating for many failed attempts...

[Ziggy31984]

The longest hunger strike for him was 6 months and that’s what I’m expecting since I made a picky eater to at least a year


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[Bogertophis]

Oops! Back when I had BPs, they definitely loved hamsters...I could have told you this might make your BP very fussy. I used to raise lots of rats, mice & hamsters (most of the hamsters were sold as pets but I had the occasional ones for my snakes too- all pre-killed, btw, either fresh or frozen).

After about 40 years of raising rodents for all the snakes I kept, I am very happy I quit raising any & all rodents (at least a year ago)- I don't miss all the work, odors & dust. And I'm down to just a few senior snakes now anyway, & they all take f/t. Good luck with your BP.

[Zincubus]

The longest hunger strike for him was 6 months and that’s what I’m expecting since I made a picky eater to at least a year


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I bought a 2.6Kg High White Pied Royal ( Ball ) python many years ago and to my horror my dream snake immediately went on an 18 month hunger strike !!!!

I tried every which way and every kind of rodent over that period


Incredibly one evening he took 4 baby chick HEADS and never stopped eating since !!

[Ziggy31984]

I have created a picky eater wish I gave asf on occasion instead of hamster


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[Bogertophis]

I have created a picky eater wish I gave asf on occasion instead of hamster


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Hard lesson to learn, hang in there.

[Homebody]

I have created a picky eater wish I gave asf on occasion instead of hamster

You should consider weighing him every three months. If he's not losing weight, it will put your mind at ease. Weighing him more frequently than that, though, may exacerbate the problem.