moment ive been dreading

[Bartman]

Well i finially think my bp is beginning to get to big for adult mice. Im gonna have to switch him to rats soon. Maybe in the next 2 feedings. First question is how should i try it...what technique has the most success. Another thing im worried about is what if the new food item scares him and he goes on a fast. I really dont want to him to stop eating. What should i do Its so anoying...i dont understand why people dont start them on rats so they know nothing else, and dont have to leave the big problem to us to switch 'em.

[Tigergenesis]

Kind of like how I wish breeders would get snakes eating FT so we don't have to stress out about getting them to switch from live.

I'm interested to see what advice you get - I'll be needing it too.

How old and big is your BP?

[fateamber]

With my first bp I switched him in the summer, because he eats so much better then, I'm planning to switch my new bp in the summer (or at least when it gets a bit warmer), I'm not sure how I'll do it, I think I'll give her a week with no food offered, at a time I know she is eating then give her a rat the week after. I have no idea if it will work, but that is what I am planning to do.

[Bartman]

mines about 6 months old now..hes 24 inches long

[k2mag360]

i switched mine to rats by feeding it a live rat. He went for it the 1st time. i did this for about 3 feedings. then for the next 2 i fed him live rats also but the difference was that i took a box and cut a hole on the side on the bottom. i put the snake in the box and the rat on the outside. the snake bit it and brought it in the box. then the next feeding i had a f/t rat. and i did the same thing but i wiggled it so it looked alive. he took it 1st try. b4 i tried all this i tried feeding him a f/t rat but wouldnt take it. i guess he took this one because he couldnt see the tongs.

[Stockwell]

It doesn't matter much... To start with I fed mice to breeding Regius..You don't have to switch to rats. You're doing so for your convenience I assume.The snake will be fine on mice, but obviously you will go through more of them with a 4 footer.
If you wish to try rats, simply try... but start with a small mouse sized one.. Try frozen thawed first, then live if that doesn't work... If still no luck, try scenting or chain feeding which involves tying a rat to the back end of a mouse.
I used to do that to switch Togo wild caughts from Gerbils to mice.
There's a few ideas for you! Most CB Regius will take rats but a few will be stubborn

[Bartman]

how would i tie them..string/thread? could the digest that or is their something else

As for the feeding mice ist whole life, what about when hes full grown? Theirs no way he can take mice only...?

[Stockwell]

Yeah, just normal string or thread.. It goes right through them, no problems.
I fed mice to adults , because I didn't have access to cheap rats.

Three adult mice is more than a good meal for adult Regius.
Rats, are more economical for breeders to get more weight on females for egg production, but I used to breed Regius that were fed only mice, it just takes more fo them. The snakes don't care. It's all about the economics of the the cost of your feed.
Their natural prey is closer to gerbil sized.

The question is, how much are you paying for rats compared to the equivalent weight in mice...
When I was working with Regius, I was paying 50 cents for mice but rats were scarce and almost 4 bucks, so I could feed mine 8 mice for what it would have cost to feed them one rat.
Mice was a better deal...
What you feed your Ball Python has more to do with the economics of your feeder prices, as well as availability.

[Piers]

I keep young rats in with mice for a week or so. make sure the shaving are old, this will make the rat smell mouse like. I also don't feed the snake for a few weeks. this will usually work after a few trys.
Piers

[Bartman]

what did you mean by
make sure the shaving are old......i didnt get that

[Stockwell]

He means so that the rats pick up the old mouse scent from the soiled shavings...
(it's Ok pix, I understand you, seasons greeting by the way)

[Bartman]

what if i buy ft mice??

[Stockwell]

Then I don't imagine you have any shavings clean or soiled! LOL
If you never have live rodents,You could try thawing a mouse and small rat together in the same bag, then rub the mouse all over the rat. Another trick is to cut the mouses nose off, and stick it in the rats mouth or tie it on... This can trick the snake into thinking its eating its usual prey, but they eventually get used to the smell and taste of the new prey
You have to be creative sometimes..

[Bartman]

Yea the rubbing is what i was planning to do..im gonna do absolutly everything i can do in one shot to trick him. Thanks!