frozen vs live

[Jay]

if you want your snake to feel like its hunting dangle a f/t infront of him drag it away slowly and put it on the other side of the tank i do it , and you get to watch your snake slither up to it

[presspirate]

I feed all of my snakes F/T including 2 that I have had, and one that I currently have that I was assured would only eat live. All of my snakes strike feed. I use tongs, and dance the prey around in front of them. Sometimes I'll even talk to them in a high pitched Mickey Mouse voice...."Hello Mr. Snake how are you today? Gosh it's sure a lovely day today, I think I'll have a picnic with Pluto and Minnie and.......arrrrrgggggghhhhhYou're squish ing *cough* squishing meeeee ooooohhhh goodbye cruel world....*Cough*" But... I digress

[Reptile_Reptile]

um... im not sure if thats the method i will be taking thanks tho ^above post^

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Reptile_Reptile

um... im not sure if thats the method i will be taking thanks tho ^above post^

one day you will there is NO need to feed live

[Reptile_Reptile]

oh yea. im off live. my bp is on frozen rat pups or w/e i kinda suck with the size names and my corn is on frozen adult mice

[presspirate]

Originally Posted by Reptile_Reptile

um... im not sure if thats the method i will be taking thanks tho ^above post^

Got something against Mickey Mouse Bro?

[Ch^4]

Somewhat of a digression, but still on the topic of F/T vs. live.

I have started "training" my younger snakes to eat via "exploration." For example, they are put into their feeding container, I get the F/T prey item, and set it in the container.

Sometimes they take a minute or so, but I've found that all 4 of my younger snakes slowly slither up, check it out, and ever so gently NOM!

My young BRB was fast as sin and would strike and coil instantaneously prior to incorporating the "exploratory" method. She was a handful to remove from the feeding container, but since introducing her to "exploratory feeding," she has yet to strike and is as gentle as could be when being removed.

My adult BP still feeds F/T directly off the tongs, but that's because he was weaned off of live and likes to see some movement.

Sorry for this extremely long post, but I was wondering if anyone else used the "exploratory" method, as it seems to work quite well for my 'children.' Maybe it's a coincident, but their desire to take off my hand when removing from them from the feeding container has reduced drastically since implementation of this method. Any thoughts?

[annieb_mice]

The question was asked if there was deterioration of nutrients in frozen food vs live.
Yes, there will be some deterioration over time, but this will depend on the method used to store the food. In ANY frozen item, regardless of whether it's a frozen rat or a hamburger patty or steak or perogies, it will slowly deteriorate over time. For human foods, there are charts which suggest using frozen products before a certain time... for example, certain meats should be used within 4 - 6 months, other products should only be kept for one or two months before being discarded.
I don't recommend using any frozen feeders that are over 6 months frozen in your freezer.
There is also the problem of freezer burnt meat. Would YOU want to eat a steak which has been freezer burnt? Didn't think so. Your snake won't be happy with a freezer burnt rat either. If you notice any large white dry patches on the skin, chances are the prey has been freezer burnt and is unusable.
Spoiling can also happen if feeders are partially or fully thawed and then refrozen. Bacteria growth only slows during freezing, it doesn't stop, so everytime a frozen feeder starts to thaw, that bacteria will start to grow faster and decomposition will occur. Most times you can tell when you open the freezer bag. If you notice a VERY strong foul odour (not just a rodent odour) then throw the entire bag out immediately and get fresh stock. This isn't a very common problem, but it does happen.

I'm happy to hear that you have decided to use F/T instead of live. I think you'll find it easier and cheaper in the end and your snakes will be safer!
As you have already thawed out a few meals for your snakes, you are already aware of how to properly thaw them out... but just as a refresher, don't try to thaw rodent in the microwave or oven. Either way will end up cooking the meat and make it inedible for your snakes... as well as filling your home up with a horrible VERY nasty stench.

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by presspirate

I feed all of my snakes F/T including 2 that I have had, and one that I currently have that I was assured would only eat live. All of my snakes strike feed. I use tongs, and dance the prey around in front of them. Sometimes I'll even talk to them in a high pitched Mickey Mouse voice...."Hello Mr. Snake how are you today? Gosh it's sure a lovely day today, I think I'll have a picnic with Pluto and Minnie and.......arrrrrgggggghhhhhYou're squish ing *cough* squishing meeeee ooooohhhh goodbye cruel world....*Cough*" But... I digress

you sure your not scottish mate ?

i now cant get a picture out my head of you in a mini mouse costume trying to get your snakes to eat

before you ask i don't know why its mini mouse as opposed to mickey

but you got me laughing my head of here and the more i try to explain it the more my kids are looking at me strangely

pretty sure they're sizing me up for the old folks home already mate

cheers shaun

[presspirate]

Glad I made your day Shauny. Re: the old folks home....Wouldn't be so bad as long as you could have your carpets now would it?

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by presspirate

Glad I made your day Shauny. Re: the old folks home....Wouldn't be so bad as long as you could have your carpets now would it?

your a genius mate.....!!!

why did i not think of that

id have much more room at an old folks home for my carpets

cheers for that mate

[presspirate]

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

your a genius mate.....!!!

why did i not think of that

id have much more room at an old folks home for my carpets

cheers for that mate

It's all part of the public service I offer.

[Lankyrob]

You would also getfed three times a day without having to do anything yourself so more time to spend with the carpets also!

[annieb_mice]

Don't forget the sponge baths and pretty young nurses waiting on you hand and foot...

[Freebody]

man i cant wait to get old! LOL