Assist-feed to transition to rats?

[ohh_kristina]

How long have you gone between feeds? I know you said you waited an extra week, making two weeks between feedings. That isn't a very long time when you consider most people feed on a 7 - 10 schedule for regular eaters. Sometimes it can take a nice break from feeding to start a transition like that. Unless she is ill or extremely young, I'd skip out on several scheduled feedings and then keep offering the f/t or freshly killed rats..and do it for a couple of weeks in a row. Have you tried scenting the rats? With mice, chicken broth, etc? After all of that, I'd consider other options, but I definitely wouldn't assist feed unless all other avenues have been explored.

[MyKuLoO]

Originally Posted by ohh_kristina

How long have you gone between feeds? I know you said you waited an extra week, making two weeks between feedings. That isn't a very long time when you consider most people feed on a 7 - 10 schedule for regular eaters. Sometimes it can take a nice break from feeding to start a transition like that. Unless she is ill or extremely young, I'd skip out on several scheduled feedings and then keep offering the f/t or freshly killed rats..and do it for a couple of weeks in a row. Have you tried scenting the rats? With mice, chicken broth, etc? After all of that, I'd consider other options, but I definitely wouldn't assist feed unless all other avenues have been explored.

It's been 14 days, she usually eats every 7-10 (closer to 10) days. She is a little more than a year and very healthy looking and active.

I spoke to a local guy and he agrees to wait another week (making it 3) and trying to offer pre-killed rats/mice again.

I have tried pretty much every method out there...chicken broth, tuna juice, soaking in warm chicken broth, etc.


My primary goal is just to switch to at least fresh killed...I don't care about the savings of F/T as opposed to just buying live and killing it myself.

Switching to rats is preferable just so I can feed 1 instead of multiples, but again not critical for me since I haven't found definitive research that rats are nutritionally better than mice.

[ohh_kristina]

Originally Posted by MyKuLoO

It's been 14 days, she usually eats every 7-10 (closer to 10) days. She is a little more than a year and very healthy looking and active.

I spoke to a local guy and he agrees to wait another week (making it 3) and trying to offer pre-killed rats/mice again.

I have tried pretty much every method out there...chicken broth, tuna juice, soaking in warm chicken broth, etc.


My primary goal is just to switch to at least fresh killed...I don't care about the savings of F/T as opposed to just buying live and killing it myself.

Switching to rats is preferable just so I can feed 1 instead of multiples, but again not critical for me since I haven't found definitive research that rats are nutritionally better than mice.

That's super frustrating for sure. Sounds like it's just one of those situations where you have to wait it out and keep hoping for the best. Some snakes are picky. This is obviously one of them! I hope it works out!