I noticed that Layne Labs sells quail and I'm considering feeding them to my boa in addition to rats. Boas are said to eat mostly birds and rodents in the wild and the quail seem to have better nutritional value than the rats anyway, with 71.5% protein and 31.9% fat compared to the rats' 61.8% protein and 32.6% fat (USDA).
I'm thinking of feeding something like one quail for every three rats that I feed. I also have access to an unlimited supply of cheap Syrian hamsters locally. Their nutritional value is very similar to rats according to the USDA and I'm not worried about my boa refusing one prey item in favor of another. He's anything but picky, plus I can keep a steady supply of every animal that he likes to eat. I'm pretty sure that I could feed him a euthanized hamster on occasion for a little variety/enrichment without any ill effect and I'm prepared to clean smellier than average poo with the quail. That's not a problem. There wouldn't be any additional cost compared to solely feeding rats either.
So, do any of you like to feed your snakes a varied diet? And can
you see any possible harm in what I'm considering if everything is humanely euthanized and frozen? Thanks for your time.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/zoo/Who...nal02May29.pdf
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