Do you associate with your feeders?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

They get the best care possible however, my feeder colony is just that, I do not nor do I want to get attached to them.

[llovelace]

I just got a couple breeders a couple days ago, I even bought a wheel for them, named them also Dinner & Dessert

[DutchHerp]

Dinner & Dessert

...hence their purpose.

[Melicious]

No. I did it once and I had to take her back. I held her for a moment, and then tried to feed Ophelia; she wouldn't eat it at all. None of my other kids would either. It's weird. They'll pounce all over a rat that I've had on the tongs, but if I touch the rat, they won't have anything to do with it.

[patm1313]

It's not like I'm attached to my feeders, I just play with them like they are mice, and have no remorse when they're eaten. I can just go grab some more at the petstore anyway.

[JamieLynn]

I had rats as pets before I got my snake. I have 4 males who are great pets...also breeders. The females however are too skittish, and tend to get very nippie when they have babies, I only like one of them. The mice I have, if they come out with an interesting color/pattern they get to live, they become breeders, and may be snake food when they are old.
Everting dies, and with a short lifespan like rodents it does not bother me that much. But I could never feed a snake my 4 fave boy rats, also I don't think my little 1yo bp could handle a 2-3lb rat (my boys are big)

[ThyTempest]

All of our breeders and holdbacks are pets and named. Unfortunately we really dont spend enough time with them, so I am glad they all have their buddies in their tubs with them all the time.

Hopefully Connie will chime in and add another point to the pets and food corner.

[littleindiangirl]

I'm here!! LOL, I'm dearly attached to all of my animals, including feeder breeders. I've named all of my breeders, and I think I'm up around 40 females now.... (ASF's are a different story, I don't socialize them or attempt to. They are just handleable for my needs and their colony is named just to keep track of lineage.)

I keep 3 pet only rats as well, 3 boys that live in a big cage. Dewey, Johnny be Quick, and Bootu.

I suppose it's easier to understand if I say that I only socialize with my breeders, as they will not be fed off for any reason until they expire or their quality of life requires intervention (gassing). Not everyone can keep retired females and I completely understand that point of view.

The pups are fed off when weaned, or grow up for only a few more weeks for larger snakes. I don't grow attached, and I don't name them.

I suppose as time goes on I might run out of names, but giving names also helps me keep detailed information about all of my rats, their lineage, and phenotypes.

Bottom line from me, don't name your food and you'll be fine.

[snakelady]

The mice I have, if they come out with an interesting color/pattern they get to live, they become breeders, and may be snake food when they are old.

Same here. I don't name them but am a sucker for nice coat patterns/or new interesting colors. I've got an extra male now because I want to use his genetics...but am not ready to feed off the breeding male I got now.

But really it's not so bad. I'll end up with a couple "pet" mice. Oh well, they will be gone in a year anyway. I can handle that.

[snakelady]

(it was too late to edit my other message)

I've been thinking of starting a rat trio also but have been hesitant. I know the breeders would become pets. Also from what you folks are saying I don't know if I could feed the babies off. That wouldn't work too well.