ok, I know Ball Pythons are not always good eaters, but...

Bristen · 06-04-04, 10:49 AM

how can we keep the feeder cost low? I've been throwing out quite a few rodents.. I try to feed once a week, and try to get them to eat around 100g to 150g of rats per meal (opting for two smaller rats that are in the 50g to 90g range when possible)... the weight of my snakes range between 900g to 1600g...

I have found so far, that they normally won't eat more than 100 to 120g per meal, but will not necessarily eat once a week (at least this is the pattern so far)...

Sooo.. I was thinking of taking food out for half of my snakes once a week, and if some of that half doesn't eat, I can offer it to the other animals that were not scheduled to eat until the following week. That way, I could possibly end up throwing away less rats?

Just wondering how the big guys do it.. probably have enough snakes that if one doesn't eat it, just feed it to another one??

Thanks,
Bristen.

Invictus · 06-04-04, 10:54 AM

Yup.... always make sure you have a hungry "garbage disposal" snake ready to go in such an event.

If it's rats though, I will re-freeze them ONCE. Hasn't caused any problems yet.

corr · 06-04-04, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Invictus
Yup.... always make sure you have a hungry "garbage disposal" snake ready to go in such an event.

Ditto. Now that I have seven snakes, I hardly EVER throw any out. The Ball gets offered first then on down the line.

Tim_Cranwill · 06-04-04, 10:58 AM

I have 15 ball pythons that will eat small-medium rats. I thaw 2-3 rats every few days and usually have no leftovers. When I do, my big male carpet pythyon will always help me out.

This way, I don't throw many or any feeders away. The bp's that are on a hunger strike can just keep on striking but the ones who are wanting to feed like mad, have that chance every 3 or 4 days.

sapphire_moon · 06-04-04, 10:58 AM

Or breed on a VERY small scale

lol

lostwithin · 06-04-04, 11:01 AM

When I feed I take out food for everything but my large female boa. Then when everybody is done i through in all the leftover little like for a ball, or young snake. She’s cleans them up no problem. if everybody eats or if I think she could use some more I thaw out a nice jumbo for her the next day she never refuses. She will eat anything any time. Got to love those "garbage disposal snakes" I don’t refreeze because she cleans everything up. and if a snake has refused for too long I leave the item in the cage over night, then through it out.
Devon

Bristen · 06-04-04, 11:40 AM

ok, so you guys are telling me I should get another snake?? Man I love you guys..

now to convince my wife! ha!

Seriously, I only have Ball Pythons, and will most likely only have these for a while.. I currently have only 6 snakes. So was my plan to try and feed once a week, but only try to feed half of the animals a reasonable plan of attack? I don't mind paying for rodents when they are eaten, but I just hate to pay 3 to 4 bucks a piece just to thaw them out and throw them out into the garbage...

Thanks for the replies so far!
Bristen.

Jeff_Favelle · 06-04-04, 05:53 PM

Breed Boas as well and you'll NEVER have left over rodents.

Derrick · 06-04-04, 06:00 PM

I havent had to toss a feeder since I got my Hog ils boa. Shes always got room for one more.

mykee · 06-04-04, 08:38 PM

I have 19 balls and I always end up throwing something out. It's part of the game.

VooDooMafia · 06-04-04, 09:36 PM

Get your self a african house snake lol they seem to eat anything and everything you offer.

I can't remember the last time I had to toss food away but then again with the house snake, corns and snapper I have alot of garbage cans lol

lostwithin · 06-04-04, 10:29 PM

hmm . With 6 ball pythons, I’d defrost 2 a week, (if they tend too be picky, but you know your snakes better then me, if 2 out of the six give you problems but the other 4 normally eat fine then defrost 4 offer the pickiest one a rat first and move down the line. But it would be much easier if you had a nice sized boa, you could easily give her 4 of the rats you’d feed a ball python. You mind if I ask where in NB, you’re located, and where you pick up your rats?? I’m living just outside Moncton and running low. But 4 bucks apiece seems very pricey. Pm me with it if you’d prefer not post it.
Thanks,
Devon

Bristen · 06-05-04, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lostwithin
[...] You mind if I ask where in NB, you’re located, and where you pick up your rats?? I’m living just outside Moncton and running low [...]

Devon,

the 3 to 4 bucks was just a rough estimate, which was actually way off what I actually paid for it.. I still hate to throw them out

I ordered 170 frozen rats (mail order), of which 120 were for me. I ended up paying about $2.25/ea (20 med and 100 small rats).

I ordered them from Corey Woods... they appear to be good quality rodents that arrived frozen like a rock!! I've done mail orders before just to get a bunch of thawed rats that I had to re-freeze and got all super mushy.. yuk!!

My mother bred rats for a while for me, but she's now down-scaling and as far as I know, she doesn't have anything left on hand.. if you're really stuck, you can try Pets Unlimited (as much as I hate to give them any money).. they will sell feeder rats I believe..

Good luck!
Bristen.

Bristen · 06-05-04, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lostwithin
[...] You mind if I ask where in NB, you’re located [...]

oups, forgot to answer this one.. I'm actually in Scoudouc... it is about 20 minutes from Moncton and about 10 minutes from Shediac (sort of in between both)...

Bristen · 06-05-04, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mykee
I have 19 balls and I always end up throwing something out. It's part of the game.

well, I guess I'll start working with that then.. if it's part of the game, I can live with that.. just trying to minimize I guess.. I will start attempting to feed smarter and see if I can have a better record. Thanks for the replies everyone, was very helpful!

Thanks,
Bristen.