Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i'm switching my 4ft retic from white mice to small chicks as the mice are too small. It only strikes out defensively at the chick but won't constrict it. i've tried this a few times with the same result. the retic ends up in a striking frenzy so i had to take the chick out cause it was getting injured. last night i put in a chick in the middle of the night when it was most active. had a dim light to monitor it but it just ignored the chick.
it just shed about 3 weeks ago and was taking in white mice without any problems just before this. what should i do?

Switch it instead to rats and you may encounter fewer problems, not just now, but later on when it comes time to switch him/her to rabbits.

>>i'm switching my 4ft retic from white mice to small chicks as the mice are too small. It only strikes out defensively at the chick but won't constrict it. i've tried this a few times with the same result. the retic ends up in a striking frenzy so i had to take the chick out cause it was getting injured. last night i put in a chick in the middle of the night when it was most active. had a dim light to monitor it but it just ignored the chick.
>>it just shed about 3 weeks ago and was taking in white mice without any problems just before this. what should i do?
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i would love to switch to rats but i can't find any. i live in malaysia and the pet shops here don't sell rats. chicks are much easier to come by.

Your snake should be able to eat a newborn rabbit now if not very soon. Just keep feeding several mice at a time until the snake is a little bigger, then try a rabbit pinky. If the snake doesn't take it readily, put one in the pile of frozen/thawed mice for a couple of feedings...he'll get the idea.

If you can't get rats or rabbits and have to switch to chicks, try the same method above but instead of a baby rabbit, put a chick in there.

i can get rabbits but not rabbit pinkies. i don't think it can take down a grown rabbit yet. the problem is now i can't even get mice anymore. the only person that sold them depleted his supply (to me ) and can't get fresh supplies now. i'm stuck with four stinking super [bleep]ter chicks. they poop every 5 mins. i'm gona try the chick again in a few days if not i'll try a rabbit. hopefully it'll be able to swallow.

If so, put the chicks in the mouse bedding to scent them. That might enough to entice your snake to eat those chicks.