Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We were wondering what you guys think about offering F/T small chicks or quail to stubborn ATBs? Particularly if the ATBs in question are imports. Thanks!-- Stephen & Jennifer

I had to resort to this with my very first ATB waaaay back in 1987. But instead of f/t chicks or quail, I used live Zebra finches. They were not cheap, but they definitely did the trick. I was able to get the pet shop (that I worked for at the time) to sell me the ones that were not doing well or had been feather-plucked by themselves or cagemates. All that fluttering around proved irresistible and that snake never refused one. Once the snake was established and feeding on finches on a regular basis, I went back to trying live mice and he eventually made the switch. I would say appropriate sized fowl would be worth a shot and if f/t doesn't work, try live. Sometimes these guys require a little creativity to get them feeding on a regular basis. Good luck! Billy

>>We were wondering what you guys think about offering F/T small chicks or quail to stubborn ATBs? Particularly if the ATBs in question are imports. Thanks!-- Stephen & Jennifer

I also used to feed my ATBs birds way back in 88, but I would find nestling birds to feed them along with mice. If you have a stubborn feeder it doesnt hurt to try birds until they are eating. But mice and rats provide more calcuim.

Chris

you have tried scenting, braining, and all the other tricks and the ATB won't go for rodents of any sort. Absolutely go for birds. I am still working with a green anaconda thats does not want to get off chicks. I have gotten her to eat scented mice if I trick her into following an ft chick or I tie a mouse to the chick. These amazon snakes seem to want the birds

Thank you all for your responses! Yes, we've tried all the usual methods, but we've only got one of them eating. The others seem confused by what we're offering them. We're trying to buy some live birds locally, just to get them going for a couple meals, then we'll try to switch them to F/T birds. So far we're not having alot of luck finding the live ones, but we're going to make some more phone calls today (zoo etc.) The petstore prices for finches are awefully high to feed 2-3 meals each to 3 hungry ATBs. It seems to be the wrong time of year to get chicks from local farmers. We'll keep you posted!-- Stephen & Jennifer

Hey, Go to www.strombergschickens.com you can get all kind's of chick's shipped.
Have A Good One ! !
Kenneth

Hey,If you explain your need's to the Hatchery you might get culled chick's (Less than perfect)a lot cheaper.Also you can do a Google search on, Poultry Hatchery's you might find one close to you.
Have A Good One ! !
Kenneth

I used to use live or FT day old chicks all the time, since I could get them very cheaply. However, the snakes' droppings were messy. Eventually I went to FT mice, but chicks could certainly work in a pinch. You might also try dwarf hamsters. I have had WC animals eat those that wouldn't eat birds,snakes, frogs, or lizards. In one case, the animal had been assist fed fuzzies for 2 years and it took the first dwarf hamster I tried!
Al Winstel