Two things that have worked for me. Now this is not for the people with uneasy stomachs. I take a bunch toads and/or chorus frogs and freeze them, then thaw them out and make a frog slurry in the blender. I add a 1/4 cup water and then pour the slurry in to an ice tray and freeze. When defrosting pinkies i defrost them in this slurry after washing with soap and water.

Here is my normal routine for my Tri-color hogs

Techniques

1.F/T pinkie, I try this for 1 week every other day
2.live pinkie I try this for 1 week every other day

usually this works by the end of the fourth week, if not my next step.

3. scented F/T pinkie I try this for 1 week every other day
4. scented F/T pinkie(in slurry) I try this for 1 week every other day

again I use this for 4 weeks.Ok now they are being really stubborn if they still refuse.

Now, I try all 4 techniques every other day for 2 weeks, by this time they have not eaten for 10 weeks.?? Worried yet??
Now comes the heavy artillary. Mouse tails or small rat tails I have found this is less stress than trying to force a pinkie down the throat. and they usually start swallowing by themselves 1/4 of the way down. I still offer food every other day, with a two day break after a tail.

These are just my experiences and hope this helps you out. I have had a snake not eat for 3 months and then turn on to food and will eat everything in site.

PS Its nice to have some real animal garbage cans around during this time. I also have a lizard slurry that sometimes works.
-----
Jimmy Tintle

[ Show Entire Thread ]