day old chicks

Boaguy · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 02:57 AM

I can smell the stench already. LOL. I am not sure health wise but I do know IT SMELLS!

John

Boaguy · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 02:59 AM

Uh.. How come my post wen't to the top?

John

themoononastick · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 01:20 PM

ello! quick questions:

day old chicks, any good for feeding to young boas? 5 months/2ft long

also, mouse size, what size mouse would you be feeding to the same?

i was feeding 2 small mice to each every weekend. but two weekends ago the male was off food as he was about to shed and the female AKA 'Miss Greedy Guts' ate all four mice that i offered to her after repeated attempts to get the male interested in his two. (he's fine and back on food)

so... bigger mice? more mice? start feeding them camels? what?

herpkingdom · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 01:32 PM

OK, as far as chicks, I wouldn't recommend that as they are not as readily available as mice and if the boas get a prefernece for them, you might have a hard time getting them to accept mice when you can't get the chicks.

As far as size, a young boa can accept a adult mouse easily. At 2', you might even be able to get them onto small rats.

From your description above, it sounds like you are feeding them in the same cage at the same time. I hope not, please clarify.

themoononastick · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 01:32 PM

PS. they are both eager eaters and very tame, even to the point that they will take food whilst being held (not recomended, i know) and the mice are, as i say, small - they eat one directly after the other.

themoononastick · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 01:34 PM

no, not in the same cage¬! i'm not having the ol' twin tailed snake scenario!

i take them out and they eat separately, usually on my floor on some clean paper.

i never have to leave the mice with them - they take them immediately.

herpkingdom · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 01:44 PM

thanks for clarifying that.

Two mice or a small rat every week is ok. As they get bigger, it is recommended to lengthen the days between feeding. Large boas, 6' and over are usually fed a jumbo or colosal rat at 10 to 14 day intervals.

Good Luck.

themoononastick · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 01:54 PM

okies, right well i'm just out of small mice so i'll order 50 normal mice and, depending how big they seem i'll give them two of those each weekend.

then maybe the next order will be for large mice.

then rats...

main concern was if they weren't getting enough. both are in good health and shed well. first boas... can you tell? hehe... bless 'em!

Ps...

do most BCI's have a rainbow tinge to their scales? tis very pretty.

JuliusSqueezer · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 01:56 PM

I think everyone should feed their snakes chickens at least once. Get a good wiff of the runny rank poo that comes out afterwards and then everyone would be that much wiser.

eddie · #10 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 02:22 PM

Not to mention, that there really isn't much to fowl after getting through all the feathers.. hardly any thing there for nourishment..
And a s brett said.. the nasty poos... As well as chicks carrying a germ/parasite??? , can't recall since it isn't one I hear every day..

JuliusSqueezer · #11 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 03:24 PM

salmonella? granted that the snake would have to be sick enough already to have it's immuno system lowered considerably usually for it to be much of a problem, but it is a risk however slight. Salmonella is a natural part of the gut flora of many animals including most reptiles, birds and humans...but salmonella exposure can be dangerous to many animals and any human with a lowered immuno system including youth (under age 21) or old age. Other causes of lowered immunity but are by no means limited to are, flu/cold, use of steroids such as prednisone, AIDS/HIV....For snakes, any RI problem, stomititis, parasite problem, even stress...any health problem at all can cause them to die from salmonella poisoning if they come in contact.

Oh...another risk from feeding fowl (usually associated with feeding frozen/thawed or prekilled birds is that they become stiff (rigormortis) and there have been instances of beaks piercing the gut of the snake swallowing them, so if feeding prekilled, it is wise at that point to snip off the beak.

eddie · #12 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 03:51 PM

coccidia, is what I was trying to think of.. duh! for me!

Burm-Bomb · #13 (**permalink**) 12-01-2003, 08:59 PM

i always go by the girth rule, if the feed is as big around as the snake it can eat it

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