Live prey vs......

[Westcoast]

I started feeding FT , Then after adding some animals that would only take live I started to breed my own. As someone else stated ,its nice to know what your feeders have been eating. we use high quality rodent cubes with good results. Its nice to go out to the rat racks and have correct size prey for any animal. I feel thier feeding response is far better feeding live. I have a boa that is 18 years old that has never had anything but live without a single issue. FT was convenient for us because we would but 200.00 worth at a time from a breeder 20 miles away. Im confident that 80% of our collection willl eat FT but am very happy breeding my own. I dont miss writing out that feed bill check. $18.00 worth of feed makes alot of rats!

[aweve124]

I feed my BP live mice (He's still pretty small) because I really think he enjoys the hunt. Ive seen him twitch his tail in what I'm sure was excitement when I dopped a mouse in his cage. I might try switching to pre-killed once he gets big enough to eat rats. Those look like they could hurt a snake if it gets cornered.

[littleindiangirl]

I feed my BP live mice (He's still pretty small) because I really think he enjoys the hunt. Ive seen him twitch his tail in what I'm sure was excitement when I dopped a mouse in his cage. I might try switching to pre-killed once he gets big enough to eat rats. Those look like they could hurt a snake if it gets cornered.

You'd be surprised at how quick your animal will get that rat when you drop it in.
Most rats I feed are weaners. They got teeth, nails, and are prepared to defend themselves. BUT, (huge but)
The rats don't really care. They run around the tub, maybe hide, sniff the water bowl, just checkin stuff out, then the snake comes out of no where and hits it incredibly fast, coils, and done.

I can't say a snake has ever cornered something... the rat may have squeezed into a corner where the water bowl is, but for me, the jury has said that the rat doesn't even know that death is imminent. Just my .02$

[MeMe]

I can't say a snake has ever cornered something... the rat may have squeezed into a corner where the water bowl is, but for me, the jury has said that the rat doesn't even know that death is imminent. Just my .02$

I think they were referring to the rat cornering the snake.




aweve124,

If you drop your prey in there and the snake doesn't want it...I wouldn't call it cornering ...just the snake trying to get away.

That is why you should ALWAYS monitor your feedings....if your snake doesn't want it you take it out immeditely and no harm done.

Rats that are kept in a good enviroment and that are fed and watered propely are not normally aggressive anyways.

And rats aren't nealy as aggressive a mice.

just sayin'

[SatanicIntention]

I must have the retarded group of mice then. They just sit there cleaning themselves, or don't even hit the floor.

"Oh! A new cag- FWAP!"

Yeah, that's about how it goes

If the snake stares at it for 5 minutes or longer, then the mouse is removed and I try again next week. You get to know your snakes and when they don't want food(rare for my piglets).

My boa and short tail are the only ones who get f/t on a semi-regular basis. The boa gets a small live rabbit every so often just to keep her in shape and sharp. The short tail I haven't tried live with.

[MeMe]

I must have the retarded group of mice then. They just sit there cleaning themselves, or don't even hit the floor.

"Oh! A new cag- FWAP!"

Yeah, that's about how it goes

that's exactly how it goes!

lol!

[Chuck]

I have never heard a good argument for feeding live or PK over frozen thawed. For me it is simply a matter of will the snake take F/T if not well there you go, but if it will why would you not. Honestly I really don't care one bit how other people feed there animals.


Chuck

[MeMe]

I have never heard a good argument for feeding live or PK over frozen thawed.

well in the time that I have been here I have seen some really good debates on this subject.

I would say that most people that have posted about the subject have made some very good points.



One of the points that was made is that when you feed live there is a much higher nutritional value. When frozen/thawed the prey loses some of that value. I prefer to feed my snakes the healthiest food I can provide. That is why I started breeding my own rats. Not sayin that f/t is not healthy.



Now one of the downsides to feeding live is convenience...Not everybody can get live prey..so f/t is the route to take.

For me it isn't about who feeds their snakes what...it's that they are feeding them properly and safely.

Honestly I really don't care one bit how other people feed there animals.
Chuck

oh...that's nice.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I think it’s not about live vs. f/t it is about what works for your snake(s) and is convenient for you.

I used to feed f/t but it is no longer convenient with a growing collection, I now mainly feed live and breed my own rodents, a few BP are kept on f/t so I am not overstock with large rats.

And if done responsibly both can be done safely.

[Chuck]

Interesting, what nutritional value is lost by freezing. I was unaware that was the case. I would like to know more about that so hook me up with that info if you would.
I think with F/T you have no risk of the rodent injuring the snake and there is significantly less of a chance if any that your snake could contract parasite from the F/T rodent. Now I know there are people out there who supervise there live feeding to prevent injury and breed there own rodents under the best conditions so they have nothing to worry about as far as rodents contracting parasites. I just don't see supervising the feeding of every snake in a large collection and thawing a bunch of rodents and doing whatever during that and tossing them in after they are thawed as that much more work. That said I believe what I believe and everyone else what they believe. I am not trying to change anyones mind here just trying to explain why I don't get feeding live if you don't have to. Merry Christmas


Chuck