Assist-feed to transition to rats?

[Tsubaki]

Switching both from live to f/t and to rats at the same time is hard, i would have switched to f/t first. A wiggly heated up dead mouse, resembles a live mouse more than a live rat does if its a snake that needs an appropriate smell while eating. Also, after 14 days the snake isnt all that hungry. Forced or ' assisted' feeding is incredibly stressing for the animal, not a good way to entice a switch, it should only be used as a last resort since it can be harmful as well.

I doubt you have tried this method, i have done this a few times with picky eaters. It requires patience, and is a bit gory.. but for me it has worked every time even with stubborn specimens. It would be easier if you get the animal over on f/t or prekill first, but you can always attempt it directly. Cut a large piece of skin of a dead mouse, attach it onto the head of a dead rat.. heat it up real good, so its nice and warm.. Use long feeding thongs and mimic a live mouse, if the animal grabs it keep wiggling for a strong response. You can keep making the pieces of skin smaller and smaller, eventually switching to just scenting. - p.s try not to make the piece of mouse skin wet, keep it nice and stinky. And do not cover the nose of the rat with the skin. Good luck!