Rabbits or mice?

[McPatch]

Just curious as to what everyone thinks of feeding rabbits as opposed to rats or mice.I'm pretty lucky to live very close to a rabbit farm that sells all sizes of rabbits .The price is way better than buying rats or mice.My BIG corns can take a pink rabbit and be full.Let me know your opinions.

Darren

[annieb_mice]

I think the only possible downside to this would be if there ever came a time when you couldn't get rabbits and your snakes decided they didn't want anything else. :)
But I'm definately interested in hearing what others think! :)
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

[Vanan]

Rabbits tend to be fattier than most rodents. Good for fattening up before brumation but I wouldn't recommend it as a staple.

[McPatch]

I never thought of that Vanan,good point.

Darren

[mykee]

Read the thread right below this one...
(Disregard, not the right one)..

[Linds]

Originally posted by Vanan
Rabbits tend to be fattier than most rodents. Good for fattening up before brumation but I wouldn't recommend it as a staple.

Domestic rabbits are actually lower in fat than mice and rats at all stages. They are leaner and have greater bone mass (more calcium). They make an excellent staple diet for any mammal-feeding snake. Guinea pigs and hamsters are the fattier options out there.

[bistrobob85]

Hm... seems like we should have a complete table of nutritive values of mammal/fruits/inverts feeders somewhere on Ssnakess.com... What do you guys think about that?

phil.

[Samba]

My burm is right about the size where he can have either/or, but I find rabbits and bunnies cheaper; but also harder to find frozen. He still won't take colored animals... LOL =)

[varanus69]

i just came across this thread and thought i would add to it. i just recently switched my boas and my bp over to rabbits from the same place mcpatch is talking about and all of my snakes love them.....evan the bp who was a finicky (at best )rat eater pounds back the bunnies. And best of all the bunnies cost about 25% of a rat here. Everything i've read says rabbits are the most nutritional meat out there for humans or reptiles. Forget the rats it's bunnies for my critters from now on.

[McPatch]

I'm thinking the same thing.from the results I'm seeing in the snakes I'm feeding rabbits to

[daver676]

Originally posted by bistrobob85
Hm... seems like we should have a complete table of nutritive values of mammal/fruits/inverts feeders somewhere on Ssnakess.com... What do you guys think about that?

phil.

Hmmm... Yes, my signature would fit nicely here. (ie check my signature :p )

[annieb_mice]

I just wanted to mention one thing. There are many different breeds of rabbits, but many of them are not considered "meat" rabbits. While the large Flemmish Giants are the largest and probably cheapest, they don't have the same amount of meat as some of the slightly smaller meat rabbits such as the New Zealands or Californians. The giants have more bone mass and much less meat per pound. A good quality New Zealand/Californian (or a cross of those two breeds) are considered to be much better in quality than the giants.
I found this info on several websites that give information on raising rabbits for human consumption. :)
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

[SCReptiles]

I have a deal with a rabbit breeder from my area. I get day olds up to about 10 pounds from him. He cuts me a super deal. I use day old rabbits for my eastern diamondbacks as soon as they can take them, usually about 4 months. I have been very pleased with the results. Of course, one can make the case, rabbits are the natural food source for these particular animals. I would imagine that could also be argued for the corns as they occur in the same areas as the EDB. As for the pythons. I feed my burms exclusively on rabbits. I have had my oldest male since 1991. I have had no problems with them. I am sure that someone is going to have reasons why you shouldn’t use them, but I see no problem with it. Especially if you are only using pinks. Those milk feed babies I think would have a higher nutritional value then adult grain feeding rodents.

[BoidKeeper]

I feed rabbits to my ball pythons when ever I can. I have only one female right now so I don't have them that offten. I've fed rabbits to Colombians, Hog Islands, balls and yes corns to.
Cheers,
Trevor

[lostwithin]

I would use rabbits if I had any available, so I say if you can get them the size you need and they are a good price, go for it.

Devon

[djc3674]

Rabbits are a sure fire way to grow your snakes big and healthy. You get a bigger bang for your buck to. I wish I lived near a rabbit farm. The pet store I get rabbits from charges me 10 dollars regardless of size. So I can give my boa a huge meal for $10 or buy 2 jumbo rats (which doesn't fill him up like one rabbit does) for $6.50 each. Pretty much a no-brainer.

[hhw]

http://www.rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp