Feeding rabbits question

Squirtle · 11-24-12, 05:22 PM

Ever since about March of 2012, I've been feeding my Albino Burmese Python 2 pound chickens until now. I don't know how big he is but I'm guessing around 7-8 feet and he's about to be 2 years old on December 20th. The butcher shop around my house is now starting to sell rabbits any size for $10, and I was wondering if they're better than chickens? Can I feed him these every 3 weeks? And last but not least, will the rabbits make him grow better than the chickens? He's also for some having difficulties eating the chicken.. I think it's hard for him to find the head and sometimes he tries to start in other places like the legs, wings etc..

Lankyrob · 11-24-12, 05:34 PM

Dont know of any reason why he shouldnt eat rabbits, coming from a butcher shop make sure they are whole rabbits tho otherwise the snake can miss required nutrients

dinosaurdammit · 11-24-12, 05:41 PM

If you get live rabbits the best way to kill them, as rabbits can thump things with their feet awfully hard, grab them by the back legs- hold them up- place your thumb and index finger behind the skull- holding the legs firmly pull the head down until you hear a distinct pop- it may or may not twitch but it separates the spinal chord and insta death. It is then safe dead prey for your snake.

Squirtle · 11-24-12, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Dont know of any reason why he shouldnt eat rabbits, coming from a butcher shop make sure they are whole rabbits tho otherwise the snake can miss required nutrients

Yes, they're whole, live rabbits. I will have to stun them before feeding or something, they look like they'll do some serious damage if they bite him!

dinosaurdammit · 11-24-12, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirtle

Yes, they're whole, live rabbits. I will have to stun them before feeding or something, they look like they'll do some serious damage if they bite him!

alternatively you could whack them on the head with a club, just hit behind the head or you may not sever the brainstem

Squirtle · 11-24-12, 06:03 PM

Will they make him grow bigger? If I feed him every 3 weeks that is. I know they grow throughout their lives, but I'd want him to max out at atleast 13-14 feet.

Lankyrob · 11-24-12, 06:08 PM

Controlling a snakes size by how you feed it is imo immoral. Feed it what it needs and it sill grow to the sizeit is meant to be.

Philmul · 11-24-12, 07:38 PM

I agree power feeding or underfeeding just leads to health problems. Just feed it what it needs

**Aaron_S** · 11-24-12, 07:48 PM

Feed it on a proper schedule, 10 days. I feel bad for the snake as it's already undersized.

Squirtle · 11-24-12, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Feed it on a proper schedule, 10 days. I feel bad for the snake as it's already undersized.

He's about to be 2 years old, is 8 feet long MALE and he's undersized? And youre suggesting I give him 3 pound rabbits every 10 days? If that's not power feeding, then I don't know what is. I feed my snakes how they're supposed to be fed.. Never power feed or under feed.

Metalserpent · 11-25-12, 12:31 AM

I know a couple breeders. I will ask them about your berm's size and feeding schedule. Seems fine to me but I will get with them. Rabbits are excellent snake food. Try f/t it you can. Fetal pigs are good too when your berm is big enough.

Squirtle · 11-25-12, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalserpent

I know a couple breeders. I will ask them about your berm's size and feeding schedule. Seems fine to me but I will get with them. Rabbits are excellent snake food. Try f/t it you can. Fetal pigs are good too when your berm is big enough.

Yeah, exactly haha. I've read a ton before getting my burm and mostly everything said that they'll grow the most during their first year... Then after that, their growth slows down a bit.

Rogue628 · 11-25-12, 01:08 AM

From what I read from a couple of burm breeders from a burm site I belong to (Tom Reagan is one if you've heard of him...he's doing some amazing work with hypos) that although burms get their biggest growth in the first year, it's not uncommon for them to be on the smaller end of average size in the first year. While the average for males can be around 6', they have completely normal healthy males only reach about 4-5' the first year. As long as they're being fed properly and husbandry requirements are met, it's ok. I guess even in the snake world, there's the occasional runt in the litter so to speak.

Philmul · 11-25-12, 05:43 AM

I don't no much about Burma but I've read feeding the a rabbit every 2 weeks is fine. Not power feeding. If feeding rabit every 3 weeks. Try giving it a large rat in between as a snack to keep it going

**Aaron_S** · 11-25-12, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirtle

He's about to be 2 years old, is 8 feet long MALE and he's undersized? And youre suggesting I give him 3 pound rabbits every 10 days? If that's not power feeding, then I don't know what is. I feed my snakes how they're supposed to be fed.. Never power feed or under feed.

I don't care how long it is. How much does it weigh? You somehow think these animals eating a small percentage of their body weight is POWERFEEDING? Do you need the definition of power?

3 pounds is nothing to a snake of appropriate size to eat them.

No, feeding every 3 weeks will not allow your snake to grow any faster. 10 - 14 days is adequate, generally, depends on the size of the snake.