Converting BP to f/t

[Voodoo]

Okay. I've considered myself blessed to have not one, not two, but THREE BP that have never given me any problems with feeding them. However, they don't even aknowledge f/t food. I want to convert them to it, but I've heard that some BP will starve themselves before converting to a food they don't want.

This is how I feed them now:

Spooky gets an adult mouse (every Sunday), and Satan and Pepito get medium rats, S's slightly bigger(every 2 or 3 Sundays). I have three cardboard boxes, with lids, that I put the rodent in and let run around for about 10 minutes, to scent up the box nicely. Then I put the snakes in the boxes, and BAM! they get the rodent before it even notices they're there. Once or twice, the big ones have pounced almost before I put them all the way in the box. Anyway, then I keep an eye on them until the rodent's not moving anymore, and then put the lid on. Pepito takes longer than anyone else to actually finish eating. *shrug* I use the same box every time, same box for each snake.

So, I have a theory as to how they might take f/t. Gimme feedback.

Step 1: Live food, eating regularly. Check.

Step 2: Let rodent roam box, stun, then see if they take it. (How does one stun a rat/mouse without killing it?) 3 feeds.

Step 3: Freshly kill rodent, then put it in box, then add snake. 3 feeds

Step 4: Go to F/T. Ta da!

Y'all think that'd work? I know BPs are known for being finiky eaters, and I've no idea why mine eat so well. But now, I need to convert them before badness happens.
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[Boaguy]

try this.. both of my bp's are on f/t and havent refused

this is how i tranfered um

give a live small mouse compaired to normal meal

have a thawed mouse ready (thaw at room temp not in water.. they seam to like it better this way)

grab it by the neck with tongs and move it around like a live mouse
my bp's wont take a f/t unless i do it that way they wont take it if i grab by the tail
[addsig]

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[Voodoo]

Do I need to worry about them grabbing hold of the forceps while striking and thus hurting themselves?
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	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[LdyDrgn]

Room temp is sometimes too cool for some snakes. If in a baggy and thawed in warm/hot water, you can get it to just over body temp, which is usually preferred. I never had a problem with the rat being wet or dry, they are all pigs here! Mine have had grabbed the tongs a couple of times and have not been hurt, but forceps are a different story, I would think. If grabbing by the back of the neck, maybe try just a few hairs in the forceps. Not all BP's are so picky. You may have no problem at all. I say try an over-warmed f/t rat first (put snake in box first, there should be residual rat smell in it already to get them in food mode, then offer rat by the tail and 'dance' it in front of the snake, but not too close. Let the snake sneak up on it, LOL). If it's refused then go step by step on your plan or Boaguy's.

Wish ya luck! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
[addsig]

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[Voodoo]

LOL. I just got this HORRIBLE mental image of a dead mouse puppet-dancing by its tail.

I'm sorry. I can be a bit morbid at times.
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[LdyDrgn]

hehehe...GOOD, that means you fit right in!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[Voodoo]

*grin* Yay! I've gotten kinda used to my mom who, if I giggled at the phrase "make the mouse dance," would give me a wierd look and just shake her head and sigh, hehe.

Man, I'm glad I don't live with her anymore. She doesn't like snakes.
[addsig]

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