feeding baby ball

pitviper10 · 07-31-05, 02:18 AM

What is better to start a ball python on, frozen thawed, or live food? advise from experienced owners please!!

doenoe · 07-31-05, 02:39 AM

i am by no means an expert, but i think most people will say frozen/thawed. Since feeding live is in most cases a big no no.
Im sure an expert will come along soon

Greetz Daan

Shmike · 07-31-05, 03:35 AM

ive owned many python spicies and the best case is to feed your buddy live food but knick it out on the tabe or somethign hard and make a wiggling motion with it in your hand by the tail.. this way it is still actually live food without it hurting the snke(scratching biteing or stressing ot)make sure he/shes not near her/his house or she/he mite get chompy with hands because they get in a habit of eating where they are shown to eat.. remember quick motions are the # one reason for pythons to be vicious and with the right care and attention pythons can make thne best of pets

Shmike · 07-31-05, 03:38 AM

And Also Its Like To You Would You Liek A Forzen Steak Thawed Out And Barbecued Or Would You Like It Fresh Cut And Already Marinated In Its Own Juice Thrown On The Barby With Some Seasoning And Spices

End Times · 07-31-05, 09:18 AM

Um.... F/T is better. By feeding live, even if stunned first, you risk passing parasites on to your reptile. If a mouse has worms, you feed it to your snake, well now your snake has worms.

By freezing the prey item, all parasites are killed. Dead buggies are good buggies. Just thaw out, get 'er toasty under a heat lamp or something, and presto, a nice parasite free male with all the same nutrients as a live rodent.

If you can get your animal on F/T do it. Don't listen to these guys saying well, it taste better. Whatever. Your snake really won't care.

NocturnalBC · 07-31-05, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by End Times

Um.... F/T is better. By feeding live, even if stunned first, you risk passing parasites on to your reptile. If a mouse has worms, you feed it to your snake, well now your snake has worms.

Where the hell did you read that?..or was it something you came up with to make yourself feel smart?

Quote:

By freezing the prey item, all parasites are killed. Dead buggies are good buggies. Just thaw out, get 'er toasty under a heat lamp or something, and presto, a nice parasite free male with all the same nutrients as a live rodent.

This is something that isn't 100%, it's just something that people asume.

Quote:

If you can get your animal on F/T do it. Don't listen to these guys saying well, it taste better. Whatever. Your snake really won't care.

Dude! Snakes have their preference just like any other animal. Some snakes hate frozen.

NocturnalBC · 07-31-05, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitviper10

What is better to start a ball python on, frozen thawed, or live food? advise from experienced owners please!!

I'd say the best thing to feed your snake is whatever is easiest for you to get that is clean and fresh and your snake will eat on a regular basis. I know people that have never fed frozen once to their snakes and haven't had any problems with "worms" and other things that people like to say.
As long as you know where your getting your feeders from and the stock is good I'd say feed what you like.

Now frozen has it's advantages but to say that it's healthier is a bit of a stretch IMO. I agree that live is taking a chance of injury to the snake so I feed fresh killed, I place my feeders in a bag and smash it on the ground, people may flame me for that but I'm not going to drop a $100 on a gas chamber when this works just fine. I have never had a feeder live threw the 1st smash and trust me when I say they die instantly.

pythonmdk · 07-31-05, 11:45 AM

Both have there pluses, live, your snake doesn't eat it you just put it back and save it for next feeding, but then you always have to have the right sized feeder and maybe your snake will get bit, and it's a pain. F/T is good cus its safe, and convinent, you just grab a rat out of the freezer , thaw it out and feed, but if your snake doesn't eat then you shouldn't really re-freeze the prey so you have to throw it out. I try to get them on f/t or pre killed but find for the few babies I have had (only 5) that it is easier to get them on live to start and then switch over, but I did have one take a F/T rat as its first food item. The choice is up to you.
John

pitviper10 · 07-31-05, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the information

mykee · 07-31-05, 12:16 PM

Rodent parasites, as well as snake parasites, are host specific, which means they would do no harm to the other species.
I try to get all of my hatchlings started on F/T rats, but some are just stubborn little bastages and will hold out for a live pup for their first few meals. I prefer to get all my newborns onto f/t as soon as possible.

Edmond Y · 07-31-05, 01:16 PM

I have feed my snakes live mice and rat since I got my first snake at 1994. I know I would have take a chance that the rat may fight back and bite the snake. but never happened to me. I did also feed pre-kill and F/T for a while to see what is the different. The biggest advantage of F/t is save your time to raise the rodent and that it is. Buy bulk pack frozen mouse in three different size to match the growth of snake is a very good idea. The time spend on the rat is ten times more than spend on the snake and you can also have food for them. Anyhow your snake will let you know. I still feed alive.

nita · 07-31-05, 05:51 PM

I agree with mykee I offered ft rat fuzzy first and if they won't take that I go with live mouse fuzzy (we can't get live rats here

). FT is easier since you can keep a stock in the freezer, live stink, I hate rodent smell

I do have some though that won't switch so they still get live, just have to be carefull of injury to the snake.

fogertyfan · 08-03-05, 08:08 PM

I have a baby ball and tried to start her out of f/t. NOTHIN. So, i do the stunned mouse thing and she eats without hangup! Never failed with live...have now fed 9 times. Tried 5 different with f/t...and i tried everything. Even splitting the head open and smearing brains on the dang thing...gross for sure...and it still didnt work..I know in a lot of cases it does, but, each snake is different.

pitviper10 · 08-03-05, 08:20 PM

just incase i have any problems with feeding f/t, what is the stunned mouse thing?

pythonmdk · 08-03-05, 08:25 PM

basically your wacking it on the head and stunning it, that way it isn't likey to bite your animal and also not as agial and easier to catch. not the nicest thing but hey you don't want your snake to get hurt right. If you have snakes that you can't switch over from live then its the safest way, as long as you watch and make sure the rodent doesn't wake up and try to eat your snake.