frozen rodent questions

[the_deeb]

I've had my balls for about three weeks now. I haven't weighed them myself but the guy I got them from says they're both around 600g. They've taken two FK large/jumbo mice at each feeding for the past two weeks. Now that they've settled in I wanted to make the switch to FT rats for convenience and was planning on placing a bulk order. How long can you store the frozen rats for?

The "small" rats from rodentpro seem about equivalent to two large mice so I was going to start with those. Should I assume that after 10 of those my balls will be ready for the mediums? How many feedings before I should expect to move up to the next size?

Also, is rodentpro the best place to get frozen rodents from these days or do people have other reccommendations?

[ladywhipple02]

I get my rodents from American Rodent Supply (www.americanrodent.com). Their stock is awesome and the people are very helpful.

I believe frozen rodents can be kept up to six months in a plastic, tupperware-like container in the freezer.

I usually order one size of rats for all my snakes. If they seem to be still hungry after taking one, I just give them another. Then, when you run out, you can move up a size. But that's me.

[xdeus]

The "small" rats from rodentpro seem about equivalent to two large mice so I was going to start with those. Should I assume that after 10 of those my balls will be ready for the mediums? How many feedings before I should expect to move up to the next size?

You shouldn't have to move up to anything larger than a weaned or small rat for the rest of your snakes life. Even though your snake will be able to handle a medium or large rat, doesn't mean it should. Balls don't eat very much in the wild so if you keep feeding it large meals sooner or later they will stop eating until they "catch up". If you give him a smaller meal every week, the chances are better that he will keep eating for you.