Young Green Anaconda will only eat chicks

[charlesc84]

My moms husband has a young Green Anaconda that will will only eat chicks. Aside from this, overall its a really good snake.

My question is, will the snake get enough nutrition only eating chicks/chicken?

He's tried scenting mice and rats but the snake won't even flick its tongue to investigate what they are. He also tried a live mouse (this was when he first got it, but now a mouse would be to small anyway) but the snake won't budge. I've heard that rodents are better for Anacondas then fowl, but I have no idea if this is true. They live in Pa, so getting chicks isn't a problem, but I'm asking out of curiosity.

[smy_749]

Seems a bit strange that a conda won't take rodents...Never kept one though. How are the cage temps? Humidity levels?

You could always feed him a chick and as his finishing it with his mouths till open, place a rodent in and let him continue eating that if he will take it. Eventually he may acquire a taste for it .

[charlesc84]

Cage temps and humidity are ideal... Hot side around 90/ humidity around 60ish.

The snake is growing like a weed and shedding great. It also has the personality of Burm which I hear isn't typical for the species. My main concern is its diet. It has a huge appetite and eats like crazy. I'm just concerned that chicken isn't enough for it.

Also, I've read of many condas that won't except rodents at first. This one is just extremely stubborn. If, just eating birds won't hurt it I don't see reason to switch it... I just wanna know for sure.

[marvelfreak]

The only real down side to feeding chickens is the poop is a lot worst. How big are the chicks? a picture would help. Mice would be to small i wouldn't even waste my time with them. You could try a small live rat. I bet anything he take it.

[charlesc84]

I can't post pics of the chicks at the moment as I don't live with them. But they're basically the typical size they sell them for at shows. I guess we could try a live rat, we've tried a few different sizes of thawed rats and the snake had no interest.
So you don't think there's a nutritional disadvantage at all?
Like I said before, the snake is growing just fine, I just wanna make sure.

[marvelfreak]

I can't post pics of the chicks at the moment as I don't live with them. But they're basically the typical size they sell them for at shows. I guess we could try a live rat, we've tried a few different sizes of thawed rats and the snake had no interest.
So you don't think there's a nutritional disadvantage at all?
Like I said before, the snake is growing just fine, I just wanna make sure.
On that i am not really sure. Hopefully some one on here will know.:)

[Little Wise Owl]

Here's a chart on the nutrition of common feeders:
Nutrition Feeder Mice | Nutrient Composition of Feeder Animals (http://www.rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp)

[Kimmie]

I fed my snakes chicks for a long time, because I got them for free, it is just as good as a mouse or a rat, if the chick is smaller then what he needs, then he will need more ofc :).

If anyone have had side effects they can tell but nothing here, I fed for a half year chicks ^^ and most of my snakes loved it.

[charlesc84]

Cool thanks guys for the advice and for the chart.

[guyabano]

If you're really set to switch to rodents you could just keep giving it rats until it takes. If it's healthy and it gets hungry enough, it will eat.

[DOBERMAN]

Have a fussy eater. I'm going to try chicks. My girl hasn't eaten since I got her and she is losing weight. Tried frogs, mice/pinkies/fuzzies/adult, young rats. No dice. Yes I have experience with snakes and yes my conditions are ok (B4 anyone starts in on that)

[SSSSnakes]

I have and know people who feed their snakes only chicks and they grow fine and are healthy. Be glad he is eating something at all.