Pinkie Success!

[katach]

Well all but one of our snakes are on pinkies now. Toothless and Cotton are taking unscented and Willow and Maria are still needing the salmon scent. Blade is just a food snob, she won't take anything that doesn't move. I guess she likes the hunt. I'll keep trying though, need to try the pinkies in with the live guppies still. She did eat a couple of worms though, progress is progress....:)

[kibakiba]

Nice! Every one of my snakes eat pinkies, except for the new guy, Hades. Perhaps you can hold off on feeding Blade for a week or two, and see if she might take a pinkie unscented, and if that doesn't work, scent it with a guppy.

What I have to do with Snap sometimes, is get a thawed unscented pinky by the tail end, and wiggle it around, drag it in front of her, drag it away, and then when she's done hunting and bites onto it, if it isn't wiggling a little bit, she lets go, but if you wiggle it a little while she's inhaling it, she loves it.

[katach]

I have tried wiggling it and dragging it around to look like it's scurrying but I think she is just too clever. I'll get her though, I don't give up that easy.... :D

[guidofatherof5]

That's good news.
Before you know it they all will be taking pinkies.

[katach]

Thanks Steve! I hope so. I hope they will take unscented ones soon. I really hate the smell of raw salmon.... blech!!

[guidofatherof5]

I love the smell of cooked salmon.;)

[katach]

Cooked is good!! Raw just sticks with you though. I have to either use gloves or soak my hands in rubbing alcohol before i scrub them with soap. That smell is just permeating.

[jitami]

Congrats :) I remember how excited I was when I got my then 1 garter snake to take his first unscented pinky. Good stuff :)

[d_virginiana]

Congrats! Have you tried cutting off a portion of the pinky? My snake wouldn't switch over until he could smell the insides and identify it as food.

[katach]

I tried that accidentally when I was taking some out of the freezer to thaw a couple of them broke (ew). It's super gross looking when it thaws. :p

[J@50n]

What about trying live baby mice O.o? It would at least get the scent I guess?

[RedSidedSPR]

Scent would be there frozen too. IRS hard to find live pinkies at a good choice, unless you breed them. Id go frozen. You may never need to chop them, but if you do it's not as bad as it sounds. To me, it's more pleasant then chopping worms! (not really, but worms are gutty like heck, pinkies aren't)


I tried that accidentally when I was taking some out of the freezer to thaw a couple of them broke (ew). It's super gross looking when it thaws. :p

You weren't supposed to tell him that :p (jk)

[snakehill]

Yes it is as bad as it sounds!:p

[RedSidedSPR]

Shut up! :D

I'm kidding, but seriously, it's not that bad.

[d_virginiana]

Hahaha... I actually dissect mine, so I don't think any of it's that bad. Heck, I got my baby started on pinkys by cutting out the liver and giving her that. They really seem to like those. But that's not for the easily grossed-out :D

Worms are definitely the worst because the little bits keep squirming around even as you're trying to chop them up!! That should be some sort of poll on here "what food item is the most terrible to deal with"...

[RedSidedSPR]

Plus the worms bleed so much it leaks throught my paper towels and on to my desk! It doesn't bother me, but it's still gross.

[guidofatherof5]

Plus the worms bleed so much it leaks throught my paper towels and on to my desk! It doesn't bother me, but it's still gross.

All that blood, fluids and worm casting(poop) is great for the snakes.
They will drink it right up. Gross but they like it:D

[RedSidedSPR]

I know its great! Is actually GOOD for them? In a healthy kinda way?

[d_virginiana]

I cut my worms and pinkies up on the top to a plastic margarine container. It's easy to clean off, and none of the blood or worm castings get on my desk :)

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah, I've started using other stuff. Or more paper towels..

[ConcinusMan]

All that blood, fluids and worm casting(poop) is great for the snakes.
They will drink it right up. Gross but they like it:D

True. All true. When I take the scissors to worms, pinkies, and even birds, I let the pieces (and bloody juices) pool up in a dish. I don't waste the juices. Throw in some bits of tilapia and soak it up like buscuits in gravy and feed it to them. Yum, yum!

[kibakiba]

My snakes hate it when I do that. They wont touch it at all.

[RedSidedSPR]

Really? Mine love it.

[kibakiba]

My snakies are picky. They also wont eat worm castings. If its cut up, they spit it out of there's any casting. Snap and Mama are the only ones who don't care.

[RedSidedSPR]

Mine go forthe gross peices. The ones with organs leaking out..... mmmmmmm

[kibakiba]

Thumbelina sometimes likes the ones with guts hanging out, but no casting in it at all, or he spits it out faster than you can say "poop happens"

[RedSidedSPR]

One time mine grabbed some intestines or whatever, no worm connected, and regurgitated it... (as in, spit it out just as he got it down).

[Azurascender]

Got my baby gopher snake to eat 3 mouse pinkies today for it's first meal, proud of the little thing. Most snakes I've had like the torn up pieces, the innards seem to be enticing enough.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I find that my marcianus tend to be particularly gruesome... they seem to LOVE the guts and innards....

[RedSidedSPR]

Mine too, unless it's the intestines with no more worm attached. Than they spit it out. Bit any other guts they love. The grosser the chuck, the yummier it is.

They also love the silversides heads!

[snakehill]

YECH!!!!:eek:

[katach]

Yeah I can now say that ALL of our adult snakes are eating pinkies!! Yahooooo!!!!!

[kibakiba]

Yay!

[RedSidedSPR]

I can now say, that I NEED TO BUY PINKIES!

Thats great Kat!

[katach]

We just picked up 40 today. Finally! The pet store took 2 weeks to get them to us. They gave us a discount because it took so long though. Our snakes are very fat and happy this evening. :D

[guidofatherof5]

Full bellies = fat and happy snakes ;)

[katach]

That is for sure!! :D

[BLUESIRTALIS]

If you don't mind me asking what do they usually charge you for 40 pinkys there. I know if i buy mine at a pet shop they want like $1.50 ea here and that's crazy. I think i get 100 pinkys for like $25.00 at my local shows so i just stock up on them then.

[katach]

They charged me $.80ea. The price goes down if I order more.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

That's not bad for a pet shop price but my adults sometimes get like 3 or 4 fuzzies per meal that would be expensive for me because i have so many snakes.

[katach]

Yeah, I could see it getting expensive. I'm hoping we can get some at the expo in Oct. for cheaper, or maybe now that everyone is on pinkies, mousedirect.

[guidofatherof5]

Yeah, I could see it getting expensive. I'm hoping we can get some at the expo in Oct. for cheaper, or maybe now that everyone is on pinkies, mousedirect.

Micedirect:D

https://micedirect.com/

[katach]

Thanks Steve! :)

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Did anyone else notice that the last two comments to this thread about shipping mice disappeared.

[guidofatherof5]

Not sure what you mean?
Everything looks as it was when I posted my comment.:confused:

[ConcinusMan]

Micedirect:D

https://micedirect.com/

Only $116 for shipping. Good thing it's cheap:rolleyes:

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I might be losing my mind here, but i thought Richard commented and said that it was going to cost him like $116.00 to have 100 mice shipped and then i commented and said it was only going to be like $45.00 to ship 600 mice to me. Maybe it was a different thread or either im going crazy which is possible since im still at work haha.

[RedSidedSPR]

He did.

[ConcinusMan]

Go there and put a $16 bag of 100 pinkies in your cart. Now calculate the shipping to 98684 and watch what happens. Nobody wants to pay $100 to ship a $30 snake so why would they want to pay $116 to send a $16 order of mice? OK, so how about 600 mice? Still going to cost $116 to ship a $96 order.

[RedSidedSPR]

It's not $116.

[ConcinusMan]

It's not $116.

Mice direct. I don't know what you're looking at. $116 to ship to my zip. They say "it's cheaper than the store" Not really. Not unless you buy a truckload. Heck, anything's cheaper if you buy that kind of quantity, including toilet paper but I'm not about to go out and buy a truck load.

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm looking at "estimate shipping" to my zip.

UPS (34.47lbs. Shipping Weight includes Dry Ice.) (3 Day Select) $56.03 UPS
(34.47lbs. Shipping Weight includes Dry Ice.) (Ground) $34.95

[BLUESIRTALIS]

It must be because of where your located. Richard did you notice your first post about it disappeared.

[ConcinusMan]

No. That was a different thread. And it's always about location. I'll bet if you're close enough to them for shipping to be cheap, you can probably also get mice cheaper somewhere else. That's usually how it works out.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah, it must be location. Mines $34.00 or $54.00 depending on how i ship.

[ConcinusMan]

Well, I've been through this conversation several times before. No matter what I do, or where I go online, I have to order a "truckload" and spend more money that I can pay in any given month, and it still just doesn't add up to significant savings, if any.

Bottom line is, if my cost is over $1 or more per mouse, I'm not saving a dang penny by ordering one or even two hundred so there's really no point.

[RedSidedSPR]

Weird. I could buy 300 mice, that's 3 $16.00 bags, and it's still the same shipping.

I don't know whats up with your zip... If you want, I'll PM you mine and you can enter it yourself and see.

[ConcinusMan]

Right. A box will hold more than 100 mice. And what's up with my zip is that you're probably right in their backyard. I'm thinking that instead of shipping, they could practically walk it across the street to you.

Steve, and others like to say they pay 16 cents and then not mention how much they had to order, or their actual cost after shipping. It's significantly more than 16 cents per mouse.

[RedSidedSPR]

I doubt it. I'm not the only one with this price.

400 mice is $64.00. That's definitely "cheaper than the store."

[ConcinusMan]

I doubt it. I'm not the only one with this price.


You're also not the only person who lives in that same shipping zone so what's your point?

[RedSidedSPR]

Are they located in NC!?!

[ConcinusMan]

I doubt it. I'm not the only one with this price.

400 mice is $64.00. That's definitely "cheaper than the store."

There you go again. It's $64 before shipping. Just like steve mentions that he pays 16 cents. Same as you just stated. That's not the real cost.

Anyway, like I said, it gets me coming and going. I just can't find a way to order that saves enough to make it a good deal. It's like driving all over town to different stores, and spending $5 in gas to redeem coupons worth $6. It's much less headache to just pay full price.

To hell with it. I can get 20 pinkies for 20 bucks delivered to my door alive locally. Rodent pro can't even beat that price if I buy 200.


Are they located in NC!?!

From the looks of the list of reptile shows they attend, you're not far. Probably in the same shipping zone. I think the main breeding facility is in GA.

[RedSidedSPR]

sorry, don't know why i said that.

I doubt it's only because of my location, but it's $40.00 for shipping.

Whatever. Forget it.

[ConcinusMan]

It is because of your location. All shippers have zones. If I'm in WA it costs about $17 to ship a snake anywhere in WA. But if I want to ship that same package to NY, it's going to cost around $38. My point is, as you get farther away, cost goes up every time you cross one of their zones.

If it's $116 to me, than $40 sounds like it probably never has to get on an aircraft to get to you.

[RedSidedSPR]

I understand that.

Well, then, it's cheaper than the store unless you live in WA.:D

[ConcinusMan]

And unless... a bunch of other factors. They can say "it's cheaper than the store" if it's cheaper than one store somewhere in the middle of nowhere since they don't mention what store they're talking about.

It has nothing to do with WA. I bet if it has to cross the Rockies, and end up anywhere in the West, it's going to cost about the same and if they can ship it to you without ever getting on aircraft (that's the key) than it's going to be cheap shipping.

[RedSidedSPR]

I know, i know.

Well, it's "cheaper than the store if you freaking live in North Carolina!!!!!"

[guidofatherof5]

I did some pinky math using Micedirect shipped to my door.

300 small pinkies @ $16.00 per one hundred = $48.00
+ shipping $40.16 for a total of $88.16
divide that total by the number of mice purchased makes the cost of each pinky .29¢

1000 small pinkies @ $14.00 per one hundred = $140.00
+ shipping $41.59 for a total of $181.59
divide that total by 1000 mice makes the cost of each pinky .18¢

2000 small pinkies @ $14.00 per one hundred = $280.00
+ shipping $43.88 for a total of $323.88
divide that total by 2000 mice makes the cost of each pinky .16¢

10,000 small pinkies @ $12.00 per one hundred = $1200.00
+ shipping $84.98 for a total of $1284.98
divide that total by 10,000 mice makes the cost per pinky .12¢

Obviously, the farther away from Micedirect the more the shipping will be. Even with that, these prices are much cheaper than most pet shops.

[RedSidedSPR]

Interesting.. I can't imagine spending 1,000 bucks for mice, but good to know.:D

Lot cheaper than store.

[kibakiba]

In Washington, they have a harder time shipping. They always do, almost every place I've gone to is 70+ shipping. It's not a glitch, it just happens to be a bad place to live when you want to order mice. It's quite annoying...

[RedSidedSPR]

so it IS WA.. lol

[kibakiba]

Yep, WA sucks in some ways, rocks in others. Like pacific chorus frogs. Those rock. Big time.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah, i wish they were down here.:eek: They're awesome.

[kibakiba]

Yep. Mine eat out of my hand and cling to my finger when they want more. :D They nomnomnom on left over worms, too.

[RedSidedSPR]

sweet.

[katach]

Yeah shipping was way too much for me when I looked at micedirest. I think I'll see what the expo has to offer on Oct. Until then, the pet store it is.

[d_virginiana]

I'm starting to wonder if NC is just a wonderful place to live if you own snakes? Browsing around kingsnake a lot of shipping prices for herps and supplies seem pretty low for my address. I think it's probably because stuff can be shipped overland from Florida..

[katach]

Micedirect is out of Georgia so you get the wonderful advantage of being a really close shipping destination. WA, not so lucky :D

[guidofatherof5]

Micedirect is out of Georgia so you get the wonderful advantage of being a really close shipping destination. WA, not so lucky :D

Here's a place that might be on the West Coast. Give them a call tomorrow. They have an 800 number.
Snake Food, Reptile Food, Feed Carnivores, Birds of Prey : Layne Labs.com (http://www.laynelabs.com/)

[katach]

Thanks Steve! This may work! $.22 per large pinkie and $28.90 for shipping! That is way better.

[kibakiba]

Indeed! I'm very happy to find something that's a lot cheaper. I could easily order 100-300 without breaking the budget too badly. :D

[katach]

I'm all excited to get ordering now!! We just bought some but I think next time we'll order from these guys. The pet store just isn't reliable enough. Not to mention that they are now more expensive. :) If I buy 100 from the website it works out to be $.50per after shipping. That will last a few months, give or take. I like the 3day or less delivery. Bill likes the dry ice! He's so devious.

[ConcinusMan]

That's more like it. You're not stuck with ordering 100 either. You can order less. I figured the total cost and shipped to me, 100 mice is around 50 cents each. (Mice direct $1.32 each.) Now that, I would have done. Too little too late for me though. It's like finally getting a real bargain on something you don't need anymore:cool:

[katach]

Maybe after you are settled from the move and can get back into it.

[ConcinusMan]

Perhaps, but my life just isn't like that. I'm pretty sure that by the time I'll need them, they'll be out of business or they'll jack the prices up. I'm mean, why not. I learn of this mice source only after I'm parting with my snakes. I'm one of those people who's life is one irony after another. That's why I don't dare buy lottery tickets. If I actually win millions I'll probably die before I can cash it in.:rolleyes:

[kibakiba]

My life is like a pile of bad news all the time, any time I try doing something good with my life, everyone else's lives go down hill. Kind of sad when life does crap like that.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Micedirect:D

https://micedirect.com/

I check that site for micedirect and for a box/bag of 100 pinkies is $16 and that isnt bad but to have them ship it to me it would cost a total os almost $43. I would love to do it but man it is so much to ship that. grrr. I wish they were closer. they are in Georgia .I looked at there show list too and they dont have a show at all in Michigan. grrr. that sux.

[ConcinusMan]

Did you try this place that steve posted ?


Here's a place that might be on the West Coast. Give them a call tomorrow. They have an 800 number.
Snake Food, Reptile Food, Feed Carnivores, Birds of Prey : Layne Labs.com (http://www.laynelabs.com/)

Still isn't no 12 cents but 50 cents isn't bad and you don't have to order hundreds.

[ConcinusMan]

I did some pinky math using Micedirect shipped to my door.

300 small pinkies @ $16.00 per one hundred = $48.00
+ shipping $40.16 for a total of $88.16
divide that total by the number of mice purchased makes the cost of each pinky .29¢

OK. Sounds great for you. This place you told us about can ship to me 500 for 22 cents each or 100 @ 50 cents each. Frozen Mice for Sale | - Feeder Mice Shipped to Your Door : Layne Labs.com (http://www.laynelabs.com/frozen-mice)

I guess that's where west coast people will finally see the kind of savings I've only heard about. Now that I don't need the mice.:rolleyes:

[RedSidedSPR]

Figures.

Welcome to my world.:D

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I check that site for micedirect and for a box/bag of 100 pinkies is $16 and that isnt bad but to have them ship it to me it would cost a total os almost $43. I would love to do it but man it is so much to ship that. grrr. I wish they were closer. they are in Georgia .I looked at there show list too and they dont have a show at all in Michigan. grrr. that sux.

Do keep in mind though at most pet shops 100 pinkies would cost like $100

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Do keep in mind though at most pet shops 100 pinkies would cost like $100

I know that but what about 50 pinkies. I didnt see a price listing for anything lower than 100. I cant afford $50 to get them and I know that the place that I checked on that the pinkies are $1.10 a piece . I would love to be able to get more then the 10 I might be able to get but I would like to find a place that is closer so that it wont cost much to have them come to my door. Does anyone know any reliable places in or close to Michigan that I can get a larger amount and not have to pay as much for shipping cause of the distance needed to go?

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I have found local mice breeders in the news paper under the pet section before. Also forgot to mention if you only have 1 adult snake you could just get a few each week so it's not as much at 1 time and you don't have to worry about them going bad.

[ConcinusMan]

I know that but what about 50 pinkies. I didnt see a price listing for anything lower than 100.

Check again. Here you can buy 25, 50, 75 Snake Food, Reptile Food, Feed Carnivores, Birds of Prey : Layne Labs.com (http://www.laynelabs.com/)

[kibakiba]

She said on micedirect.

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm liking Richards site though...

[katach]

Steve posted that first. I like it too! Much better shipping prices. From the looks of their set-up they are VERY clean too.

[RedSidedSPR]

Ok Steves site.

[katach]

:D