"Braining"

[Lizardlicks]

I usually brain my rats for Serket. Sometimes she's so slow in getting to eating them that they've cooled down too much for her to find them by heat, but she can smell the brained ones fine and slurp them down. It's not any kind of big deal, or hassle, just one extra step that takes hardly a couple seconds, and there's no noticeable smell increase to a person.

[Kroberts10]

I just tried braining my picky boys mouse to see if he'd take. He's been on a feeding strike since December when I started pairing him up. He's only lost 10-20g in that time and none after the first month, so I'm nit worried at all. But I offered the mouse the first time before cracking the skull open, he just ignored it. As soon as I cracked it open he popped right out and chased it a bit. But he wouldn't commit. It's still a step in the right direction. I think it's due to me warming in a bowl of hot water, and the heat dissipates very quickly due to being wet. They go from 105-110* down to 80* in just a couple minutes. So I'm going to change my warming method for him since I physically can't run back and forth to the sink to warm it at the moment, plus each warming washes away some scent. The others don't care if the rodents are wet.

I think braining is worthwhile to keep in your bag of tricks, and is very easy to do and not messy at all.

Kyle


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[Mike17]

I just tried braining my picky boys mouse to see if he'd take. He's been on a feeding strike since December when I started pairing him up. He's only lost 10-20g in that time and none after the first month, so I'm nit worried at all. But I offered the mouse the first time before cracking the skull open, he just ignored it. As soon as I cracked it open he popped right out and chased it a bit. But he wouldn't commit. It's still a step in the right direction. I think it's due to me warming in a bowl of hot water, and the heat dissipates very quickly due to being wet. They go from 105-110* down to 80* in just a couple minutes. So I'm going to change my warming method for him since I physically can't run back and forth to the sink to warm it at the moment, plus each warming washes away some scent. The others don't care if the rodents are wet.

I think braining is worthwhile to keep in your bag of tricks, and is very easy to do and not messy at all.

Kyle


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Try warming with a hair dryer, got the tip here, keeps a full scent and it is very easy to keep re-warming on site.


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[Zincubus]

For what it's worth ..
This method WORKS if done properly ...
I wait until evening as they're nocturnal of course . I let the rodent thaw out in the reptile room so they get the smell ..
Then I warm up the mouse / rat with a hairdryer and offer with tongs IMMEDIATELY whilst still warm . If refused simply repeat the heating and offering as many times as needed. .
A couple of mine will only strike feed from within their hides so I dangle the warm rodent in front of the hide's entrance - usually works but if it fails simply reheat the rodent with a hairdryer and immediately offer again whilst it's still warm , continue until it's grabbed ...
I always wait until evenings to feed as they're nocturnal of course .

Incidentally , if it shows no interest at all not even a tongue flicker maybe it's best to leave for a week or so.

[Kroberts10]

I've got a single clutch incubator setup and ready to go, but no eggs. So I'll just set set it for about 105* and use it to warm up the feeders. Since I have no hair dryer, closest thing is a heat gun. And you have to be VERY careful with it, it'll immediately burn the rat if you get too close.

Kyle


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[Zincubus]

I've got a single clutch incubator setup and ready to go, but no eggs. So I'll just set set it for about 105* and use it to warm up the feeders. Since I have no hair dryer, closest thing is a heat gun. And you have to be VERY careful with it, it'll immediately burn the rat if you get too close.

Kyle


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A heat mat is nearly as good if you have a spare lying around ..
You can defrost a few normally then put them on the heat mat to warm them just before feeding them ...






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[sneksNferts]

This may have helped me get my boy on f/t. RBM had him on small live mice. First attempt he ignored it and I tossed it out a window to one of the neighborhood cats. Second attempt, I left it in the cage overnight and it was still there by morning, so mr kitty got another treat. Third attempt, I stuck a scalpel in the mouse's head and twisted it just a little and left it in the cage overnight, it was gone it the middle of the night when I woke up to use the bathroom. After that, he takes f/t right off the hemostats. His first rat this past Friday night got scented with a mouse, he took it right off the hemostat, mouse went to that cat. Now I have a f/t rat eating snake and an alley cat that stares at my window.

[Mike17]

Now I have a f/t rat eating snake and an alley cat that stares at my window.

LOL!!!!
This comment really made my day


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[The_Godfather]

Braining has been around for a long time but I've never talked with someone who's done it. I've got a strong stomach and that's pretty disgusting. I'd rather cough up the extra 4$ for a gerbil than go opening up skulls. Balls go absolutely insane for gerbils. Ever since I learned about prions I can't say I'd be excited about playing around with brain matter.

[Lizardlicks]

Braining has been around for a long time but I've never talked with someone who's done it. I've got a strong stomach and that's pretty disgusting. I'd rather cough up the extra 4$ for a gerbil than go opening up skulls. Balls go absolutely insane for gerbils. Ever since I learned about prions I can't say I'd be excited about playing around with brain matter.

It's really not a big deal guys, you don't see brain bits, or smell brain, or touch them, or anything. Just.... poke the head? Honestly.