Feeding rabbits question

Squirtle · 11-24-12, 05:22 PM

Ever since about March of 2012, I've been feeding my Albino Burmese Python 2 pound chickens until now. I don't know how big he is but I'm guessing around 7-8 feet and he's about to be 2 years old on December 20th. The butcher shop around my house is now starting to sell rabbits any size for $10, and I was wondering if they're better than chickens? Can I feed him these every 3 weeks? And last but not least, will the rabbits make him grow better than the chickens? He's also for some having difficulties eating the chicken.. I think it's hard for him to find the head and sometimes he tries to start in other places like the legs, wings etc..

Lankyrob · 11-24-12, 05:34 PM

Dont know of any reason why he shouldnt eat rabbits, coming from a butcher shop make sure they are whole rabbits tho otherwise the snake can miss required nutrients

Squirtle · 11-24-12, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Dont know of any reason why he shouldnt eat rabbits, coming from a butcher shop make sure they are whole rabbits tho otherwise the snake can miss required nutrients

Yes, they're whole, live rabbits. I will have to stun them before feeding or something, they look like they'll do some serious damage if they bite him!

dinosaurdammit · 11-24-12, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirtle

Yes, they're whole, live rabbits. I will have to stun them before feeding or something, they look like they'll do some serious damage if they bite him!

alternatively you could whack them on the head with a club, just hit behind the head or you may not sever the brainstem

Squirtle · 11-24-12, 06:03 PM

Will they make him grow bigger? If I feed him every 3 weeks that is. I know they grow throughout their lives, but I'd want him to max out at atleast 13-14 feet.

dinosaurdammit · 11-24-12, 05:41 PM

If you get live rabbits the best way to kill them, as rabbits can thump things with their feet awfully hard, grab them by the back legs- hold them up- place your thumb and index finger behind the skull- holding the legs firmly pull the head down until you hear a distinct pop- it may or may not twitch but it separates the spinal chord and insta death. It is then safe dead prey for your snake.

Lankyrob · 11-24-12, 06:08 PM

Controlling a snakes size by how you feed it is imo immoral. Feed it what it needs and it sill grow to the sizeit is meant to be.

Philmul · 11-24-12, 07:38 PM

I agree power feeding or underfeeding just leads to health problems. Just feed it what it needs

**Aaron_S** · 11-24-12, 07:48 PM

Feed it on a proper schedule, 10 days. I feel bad for the snake as it's already undersized.

Squirtle · 11-24-12, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Feed it on a proper schedule, 10 days. I feel bad for the snake as it's already undersized.

He's about to be 2 years old, is 8 feet long MALE and he's undersized? And youre suggesting I give him 3 pound rabbits every 10 days? If that's not power feeding, then I don't know what is. I feed my snakes how they're supposed to be fed.. Never power feed or under feed.

**Aaron_S** · 11-25-12, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirtle

He's about to be 2 years old, is 8 feet long MALE and he's undersized? And youre suggesting I give him 3 pound rabbits every 10 days? If that's not power feeding, then I don't know what is. I feed my snakes how they're supposed to be fed.. Never power feed or under feed.

I don't care how long it is. How much does it weigh? You somehow think these animals eating a small percentage of their body weight is POWERFEEDING? Do you need the definition of power?

3 pounds is nothing to a snake of appropriate size to eat them.

No, feeding every 3 weeks will not allow your snake to grow any faster. 10 - 14 days is adequate, generally, depends on the size of the snake.

Squirtle · 11-25-12, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I don't care how long it is. How much does it weigh? You somehow think these animals eating a small percentage of their body weight is POWERFEEDING? Do you need the definition of power?

3 pounds is nothing to a snake of appropriate size to eat them.

No, feeding every 3 weeks will not allow your snake to grow any faster. 10 - 14 days is adequate, generally, depends on the size of the snake.

My burm is a bit smaller than Hockenburyj2's burm on YouTube, but they have the same girth. He feeds his 3-4 pound rabbits every 2-3 weeks and his looks healthy as can be. Do you even own burms or retics? Feeding them 3 pounds of food every 10 days IS power feeding.. Burms can easily turn obese and that is what you're suggesting I do with my burm. I'm gonna go ahead and listen to the other people on my thread about feeding every 2-3 weeks an appropriate sized rabbit to maintain my burms growth..

cossiecraig · 11-26-12, 10:37 AM

Under captive conditions, Burmese pythons will grow to sexual maturity at an amazing rate. Growth rates achieved with females by herpetoculturists under optimal feeding conditions typically show the following growth pattern. By the end of 12 months, growth to a length of 6 to 9 1/2 feet. By 18 months, growth to between 9 1/2 to 10 1/2 feet.
Here was mine at about nearly 3 yrs old 13' and weighing 125Ilbs approx ( female ) she was fed every 14 days on ,rabbits , 2 lg rats & 1 guinea pig , 1 whole feathered chicken , 2 rats & a piglet, and this list of food i mentioned was on a rotation system ,she took them all . i'd like to see a picture of your's if thats possible ????

I guess i should add this aswell ,what you don't see in the pic is 3 grown men in the background should things go pearshaped....."snakes around the neck is in another thread " !

Metalserpent · 11-25-12, 12:31 AM

I know a couple breeders. I will ask them about your berm's size and feeding schedule. Seems fine to me but I will get with them. Rabbits are excellent snake food. Try f/t it you can. Fetal pigs are good too when your berm is big enough.

Squirtle · 11-25-12, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalserpent

I know a couple breeders. I will ask them about your berm's size and feeding schedule. Seems fine to me but I will get with them. Rabbits are excellent snake food. Try f/t it you can. Fetal pigs are good too when your berm is big enough.

Yeah, exactly haha. I've read a ton before getting my burm and mostly everything said that they'll grow the most during their first year... Then after that, their growth slows down a bit.