No live fuzzies- Try mice or f/t?

[Kiramay]

When I was in my planning mode, I checked with the local pet stores (2 big ones, 2 family owned ones) and they all carry live mice in varying sizes and all the different frozen feeders.

Now I have my BP and she had been eating well on fuzzy rats.

I've called all the places around me and none have live fuzzy rats. One place does breed them and will sell them, but they don't have any at this time.

Should I go the live mouse route (weanling?), or try f/t?

Personally, I was hoping to stick with live because the thought of mousecicals in the freezer turns my stomach. But I want to do what's best for my BP.

Thanks!

[Het4Something]

when will the breeder be getting some.... my motto is once you go rat you dont go back lol, if its a week or two its worth the wait.

[Kiramay]

when will the breeder be getting some.... my motto is once you go rat you dont go back lol, if its a week or two its worth the wait.

I asked, and he said something along the lines of "they'll be here whenever the rats do the things they need to do". lol Do you think I should try frozen rats? :

[WingedWolfPsion]

If she's used to live, you'd be very lucky if she took f/t on the first try, although some do.
I'd try a live mouse.

[Kiramay]

So I have one vote for mouse, and one vote for wait.

Anyone else?

Thanks!

[WingedWolfPsion]

Well, my baby BPs switch between mice and rat pups without any issues at all. Usually problems only occur when you try to get them to take a food for the first time. After that, they'll accept anything they've eaten before. At least, mine will.

[JASBALLS]

Well, my baby BPs switch between mice and rat pups without any issues at all. Usually problems only occur when you try to get them to take a food for the first time. After that, they'll accept anything they've eaten before. At least, mine will.

Are you serious?

[Kiramay]

Well, my baby BPs switch between mice and rat pups without any issues at all. Usually problems only occur when you try to get them to take a food for the first time. After that, they'll accept anything they've eaten before. At least, mine will.

Wow, lucky. I've heard that BPs can be very picky, and I don't want to mess up a good eater by mixing thing up.

I think I'll wait a few more days so she can settle in, and then I'll call the rat guy to see if he has any babies. If not, I'll go for a weanling mouse and f/t, and see what she'll eat.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I haven't had that problem. Any pickiness is upon first introduction of a food. I've never had one refuse something it's eaten before outside of a stress situation like being moved, and then it always goes back to eating it later.

I like to mix up what they're fed, I figure this KEEPS them from getting picky. My roomate's ball python has had live mice, pre-killed mice, frozen-thawed mice, and frozen-thawed rats. It was a struggle to get him over to the f/t mice, but after that he took the f/t rat on the first try, and now he eats anything he's offered.
Both my big girls took f/t rats today, I'm so pleased. They insisted on live for their first meal with me, but now they're on track with f/t.

[2kdime]

My girl ate a rat first try no problem. And frozen thawed first try nbo problem and hasn't looked back.

Sometimes you'll get lucky like I have. But I'd hate to go from mice then to rats. Then back to mice until I got some more right sized rats.

Good luck to you which ever route you decide to take.