Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I thought everyone may find this interesting as to what a large retic can consume.
I found a pig supplier over the weekend, and was able to pick up some food for the breeders.
This was the largest of three. He(the farmer) only sells me the weak offspring and ones damaged during growth, this one was trampled in the stall.
I hope this doesn't offend anyone, sorry if I did so, but its an interesting piece of information
Notah

Let's see the feeding pictures! =]

I agree. What did it look like when the snake gobbled it up? That's a pretty hefty meal.

If your snake's big enough to eat a pig of that size, are you trying for a size record? It'd be nice to see a record size snake that people are NOT complaining about or contesting-good luck.

"Feeder Pigs" run about 25 - 50 #
"Weaner Pigs" run about 5 - 15 #

I get my "Feeder Pigs" at local livestock auctions. "Weaners" are too small, but a swarm of 'em works OK if "Feeders" aren't available.

Compared to prices elsewhere - direct sales @ a piggery, flea markets, etc., the livestock auctions are generally cheaper.

Feral hogs are a nuisance pest weed animal around here - South-Central Texas - & can be had free-for-the-trapping. However, feral hogs are always full of ectoparasites - fleas, ticks, lice - & enteroparasites - worms, spirochetes - so unless you are going to the time, trouble, hassle, & expense of cleaning them up & out, my recommendation is to stay with feeders from a legitimate commercial livestock auction. All swine up for bid @ legit commercial livestock auctions are blood-test screened by a licensed veterinarian for the various nasty communicable diseases of swine, typically don't have ectoparasites, but could still have enteroparasites.

I give my feeders a dose of Ivormectin / Ivormec (follow the instructions on the label) & wait 24 hours before using them. I should probably wait longer & use the 2-week multidosing schedule, but it is illegal to keep any swine within the city limits.

BTW, I don't tell the other members of the bidder's gallery at the livestock auctions that my definition of "Feeder Pig" is somewhat different from theirs & if you go this route, I don't recommend that you do, either.
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Cheers & keep on crawlin',

Karl

KarlSnake
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