Feeding question

[Sitting_duck]

When you feed snakes frozen pinkies, are you suppost to defrost them, or feed them frozen?

[adamanteus]

Absolutely essential to thoroughly defrost. Frozen food would cause all sorts of problems.

[Sitting_duck]

Ok, thanks.

So I put in a bag, then put in warm water for about how long?

Ps- I love this forum, got a response in 2 minutes.

[adamanteus]

I just drop mine in warm water (no bag) for five or ten minutes. If they're fully flexible and slightly warmed through, I'm happy.:D

[Lori P]

Until it's nice and soft and warm. I used to defrost them in a bag, in warm water... now I just toss them in a big bowl of very warm water. :-)

[Sitting_duck]

Ok will do, going to try and feed today. Not expecting results, but we'll see.

Can I just throw the pinky in his water bowl first? Then if he doesn't eat that shake it infront of him?

[adamanteus]

You can try it all different ways, Austin. I guess it doesn't matter what you try first. He may just take it, straight off.

[Sitting_duck]

Okay thanks, and I think I've read this before, and I know theres a thread about doing this with fish. But it is ok to refreeze?

[adamanteus]

It should be okay to re-freeze fish.... I'm less sure about pinks, but with a little forward planning it's not really necessary.:)

[Sitting_duck]

What do you mean? Because if he doesn't eat it, then I don't think I should leave it in there for like 20 hours.

[adamanteus]

Ah, I see.... if he doesn't eat. Others may well disagree, but I would be reluctant to re-freeze and re-use pinkies. Let's see what the others think about that.

[Sitting_duck]

Cmon other peoples...lol.

[reptile3]

if my snakies don't eat their pinkies, I give it to my Bearded dragon!!

so far the snakes I have only eat worms. I have given pinkies, they just ignore it, salmon, won't go near it.

good luck

[adamanteus]

Cmon other peoples...lol.

Patience, Austin, patience!:) They'll get around to it soon enough.:D

[Sitting_duck]

But...I don't have a garter! =p

From what I've heard my snake isn't actually considered a garter.

[adamanteus]

You have a Ribbon Snake, right? Same genus, different species. It should still take pinkies though.

[Lori P]

I don't refreeze pinkies either, I give them to the cats or chickens if the snakes don't eat them.

[Lori P]

Wait-- didn't Austin get the keelback?

[Sitting_duck]

Yeah I did, but someone said they can still eat pinkies

[adamanteus]

Ahh, right. Totally different genus then (Xenochrophis), I think they'll still accept pinkies though. A few of our members have these, we'll see what they have to say.

[Sitting_duck]

Yeah, I have been pming someone who owned them. He says they don't eat worms, but sometimes accept pinkys.

[Sitting_duck]

Right now I have a few guppies in his water bowl, and a pinky out on a dish. How long do you think I should leave the pinky?

[adamanteus]

Personally, I would leave it overnight (and leave the snake in peace). If it's still there in the morning I would throw it away and try again in a weeks' time.

[Sitting_duck]

Will do. Thanks

[infernalis]

Well I just read back through all this...

Re-freezing pinks all depends on how long they have been out.

If they are only thawed for a short while (under an hour) I re-freeze.

If they are out for more than an hour, I give them to Chomper. (Savannah Monitor)

Never had a keelback though...

Pinks turn really gross after being left overnight, so those get flushed down the commode.

[Sid]

My habit with pinkies or other mice is much the same as Wayne. If the snake is already eating them well, I'll only leave it whith them 30 to 40 minutes. If they refuse it then I re-freeze. If the snake is new to mice, I'll leave it a couple of hours or longer. If those aren't eaten they get tossed.

[Sitting_duck]

I'll just wait till morning, then flush if not ate.

[Stefan-A]

I would be reluctant to re-freeze and re-use pinkies. Let's see what the others think about that.
Surprisingly, when the pinkies cost 1,30€, re-freezing starts to become very tempting. :) I still do it reluctantly and only if I can't find a snake in my limited collection that will take it. Which means that the tetrataenia and the new male vagrans are now very well-fed. :rolleyes:

[anji1971]

Surprisingly, when the pinkies cost 1,30€, re-freezing starts to become very tempting.

Wow, Stefan. :eek:
And I thought pinkies here at $1.50 were too pricey. No wonder you tried to raise your own!

[Sid]

Wow, Stefan. :eek:
And I thought pinkies here at $1.50 were too pricey. No wonder you tried to raise your own!
I buy mine in bulk and pay anywhere from 11 to 30 cents each. Still hate to waste they.

[Stefan-A]

Wow, Stefan. :eek:
And I thought pinkies here at $1.50 were too pricey. No wonder you tried to raise your own!
Indeed. I'll give it another shot when I finally get to settle down somewhere permanently. Preferably somewhere where the buildings aren't so poorly insulated that flocks of crows can fly right through the holes.

[Sitting_duck]

Frozen pinkies are like $2.50 here.

[Lori P]

Austin, try to find a small shop that specializes in reptiles/exotics in your area. You'll find pinkies a LOT cheaper than they are at Petco or Petsmart. You can also order in bulk online and get them cheap, but, with only one snake that's not really an option for you. Or, contact your local reptile club and see if someone wants to sell you a small number.

[Sitting_duck]

Thanks, I actually just went to LLLReptiles today, It's about 10 minutes away.

Pinkies are 99c there, much better.

[snakeman]

I pay about $90 for 400.I go to rodentpro.

[Sitting_duck]

Wow, buying in bulk sure lowers the prices.

I only have one snake, so that's not really an option. I don't have anywhere to store all of those mice, anyways.

[guidofatherof5]

Right next to the ice cream works just fine!

[Sitting_duck]

Right next to the ice cream works just fine!


haha :p!

Unfortunately, I have a bit to much ice cream to fit all those mice in. Guess I'll just have to eat some tonight then...what a pity.:D

[Stefan-A]

haha :p!

Unfortunately, I have a bit to much ice cream to fit all those mice in. Guess I'll just have to eat some tonight then...what a pity.:D
Why not eat some of the ice cream instead?

[Lori P]

Roflmao!!!!

[Sitting_duck]

Lol! I get it =p

[guidofatherof5]

Why not eat some of the ice cream instead?Great, Stefan!