Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi again,

It just occured to me that I am paying through the nose for my frozen feeder rabbits. It wasn't obvious to me at first because I normally order them along with a bunch of other feeders, so it all kind of gets lumped together into one order.

I just took a more careful look at what I am paying for the rabbits alone - about $13 a piece! It is very misleading when the order is being placed because they are listed as being only $6 each online. As it turns out, the distributor I have been buying from charges so much to ship that it roughly doubles the price of the items being purchased - thereby making that $6 rabbit actually cost about $13!

So now I'm wondering what my alternatives are. Where do you get your feeders? How much do you pay for them? Please share any info you might have.

Thanks very much,
- Mark
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- 1.0.0 Labyrinth Burmese Python Gallery
- 0.1.0 Suriname Boa Gallery
- 0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake Gallery
- 1.0.0 Pueblan Milksnake Gallery
- 0.1.0 Trinket Ratsnake Gallery
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Me on myspace.com

Mark...
Is there anyone in your area that maybe you can split the shipping cost with? That may not matter, because of the weight of the damn things.
Also, if there are any farms near you, you might be able to strike a deal with a farmer for rabbits.
They are far cheaper that way than shipping. And lastly, you might consider breeding your own if you are able to.
That is my idea for spring.
I know I just got an order of collosal rats, and I am pretty certain that the rats were less than shipping.
One hint...always make sure you are shipping full boxes.
That may mean more of an outlay, but you'll just have to oder less often,and you will be utilizing all the shipping space you are paying for.
Let us know if you find a cheaper way.

Bob

Mark...
I am just south of you in CT. A while back, at one of the shows, I had a deal worked out with a rodent sales guy
( for lack of a better word), that I would special order gerbils before a show, and he'd bring them to a show for me
( White Plains ). Perhaps you can work this out somehow?
And as far as a farm...you should easily be able to find someone in MA that will sell you rabbits for cheap.
Even in urban areas in MA and CT there are immediate outlying rural areas.
You may have to drive a bit, but it's still cheaper than DHL.
Heck...you find someone in MA...Let me know.
I might go in with you. My gun club used to buy them from a farm in New Fairfield CT. These were rabbits for the table not shooting.
I believe we paid around $4 lb,for a 2 lb rabbit. Dressed.
And they were dressed right then and there.
Without dressing, I'm sure it would be much cheaper.
And again, only the price of a tank of gas.
Which in my case...Fed Ex might be cheaper. Damn pickup!
I'm going to the White Plains show this weekend, I'll ask around.
And also at my gun club.We put our heads together we should come up with something.

Bob

I agree. Youre not paying alot for the rabbit. Youre paying alot for the rabbit WITH shipping. Rodentpro is who I use. Their product is good. But like any online breeder of frozen feeders, theres no way of getting around paying a hefty shipping fee due to special packaging and need for dry ice. Like the other person mentioned, if this turns out to be too much you may need to look into local breeders or breed your own. I have given this thought myself in the past and have come to the conclusion that Ill most likely breed my own rabbits/rats when I get my own house (my girl is just gonna have to put up with it).

>>Hi again,
>>
>>It just occured to me that I am paying through the nose for my frozen feeder rabbits. It wasn't obvious to me at first because I normally order them along with a bunch of other feeders, so it all kind of gets lumped together into one order.
>>
>>I just took a more careful look at what I am paying for the rabbits alone - about $13 a piece! It is very misleading when the order is being placed because they are listed as being only $6 each online. As it turns out, the distributor I have been buying from charges so much to ship that it roughly doubles the price of the items being purchased - thereby making that $6 rabbit actually cost about $13!
>>
>>So now I'm wondering what my alternatives are. Where do you get your feeders? How much do you pay for them? Please share any info you might have.
>>
>>Thanks very much,
>>- Mark
>>.
>>-----
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My personal website: www.antegy.com
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My Kingsnake.com Picture Galleries
>>
>> - 1.0.0 Labyrinth Burmese Python Gallery
>> - 0.1.0 Suriname Boa Gallery
>> - 0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake Gallery
>> - 1.0.0 Pueblan Milksnake Gallery
>> - 0.1.0 Trinket Ratsnake Gallery
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My photography on photo.net
>>----------------------------------------------
>>Me on myspace.com

...own a burm. There are no cheap ways unless you plan to breed your own rabbits which is a major pain. I get my rabbits from Rodentpro.com and feel that their prices are very good (even with the high cost of shipping). I purchase in bulk so I don't feel the hit quite as bad but unless you are willing to shell out a lot of money to feed your big snakes, folks should stick with smaller species (not saying this applies to you but just a general statement). Rob Carmichael

>>Hi again,
>>
>>It just occured to me that I am paying through the nose for my frozen feeder rabbits. It wasn't obvious to me at first because I normally order them along with a bunch of other feeders, so it all kind of gets lumped together into one order.
>>
>>I just took a more careful look at what I am paying for the rabbits alone - about $13 a piece! It is very misleading when the order is being placed because they are listed as being only $6 each online. As it turns out, the distributor I have been buying from charges so much to ship that it roughly doubles the price of the items being purchased - thereby making that $6 rabbit actually cost about $13!
>>
>>So now I'm wondering what my alternatives are. Where do you get your feeders? How much do you pay for them? Please share any info you might have.
>>
>>Thanks very much,
>>- Mark
>>.
>>-----
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My personal website: www.antegy.com
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My Kingsnake.com Picture Galleries
>>
>> - 1.0.0 Labyrinth Burmese Python Gallery
>> - 0.1.0 Suriname Boa Gallery
>> - 0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake Gallery
>> - 1.0.0 Pueblan Milksnake Gallery
>> - 0.1.0 Trinket Ratsnake Gallery
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My photography on photo.net
>>----------------------------------------------
>>Me on myspace.com
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I have to disagree with you on this Rob.

First, I believe that I have shown already (earlier post) that I am quite willing to pay the price (literally, 'financially') for owning a Burmese python.

I agree that there may be no 'cheap' way, but I believe there must be a cheaper way. And just that has been suggested already in response to my question (e.g., breeding my own rabbits, or finding a local farmer or breeder). I'm certainly not going to sit back and accept Rodentpro as the sole source of frozen rabbit feeders (to date, I also use Rodentpro - whom I have been very happy with, as I understand their prices are good and they themselves are bound to the high cost of shipping). After all, it would just be lazy and ignorant of me to not at least try to find an alternative.

My orders from Rodentpro are full-box orders and that just doesn't help much. There are a couple of rabbit farms here in Massachusetts that I'm going to look into. I'm also considering breeding my own rabbits during the summer, perhaps enough to last through the winter, etc. I don't really anticipate much of a problem with this issue, I was just trying to find out if anyone here already knew of a good place I could look into as I research my options.

I appreciate your cautions about owning these great animals, but I want to assure you that there are at least a few of us out there that can and do take care of these animals well. Please try to understand that I make every effort to be one of the few who does properly care for his Burmese python.

- Mark
.

>>...own a burm. There are no cheap ways unless you plan to breed your own rabbits which is a major pain. I get my rabbits from Rodentpro.com and feel that their prices are very good (even with the high cost of shipping). I purchase in bulk so I don't feel the hit quite as bad but unless you are willing to shell out a lot of money to feed your big snakes, folks should stick with smaller species (not saying this applies to you but just a general statement). Rob Carmichael

Hit up a reptile show every month or few months and buy a bulk load of rabbits where you pay no shipping and taxes on them. Then you keep them in a big freezer where $75 in rabbits can last you the entire year for one burm.

I know I probably should have thought of this on my own, as I do go to a couple of reptile Expos each year. It just makes very good sense to buy them there - in bulk, to avoid the costly shipping charges.

Bob (burmaboy) also mentioned in another reply that I could call a vendor ahead of time and make arrangements for them to bring whatever amount I plan on purchasing, in addition to their standard stock.

I like it. I like it alot.

Thanks again!
- Mark

>>Hit up a reptile show every month or few months and buy a bulk load of rabbits where you pay no shipping and taxes on them. Then you keep them in a big freezer where $75 in rabbits can last you the entire year for one burm.

What size rabbit would you order for a 10-12 foot Burm? After reading this post, I want to order a full box, but don't want to get something too big for my snake. In the past, I have fed with Jumbo Rats but that gets pretty expensive fast also. Looks like you get more for your money out of the rabbits?

PS. If anyone lives around Harrisburg Pa, I will be glad to work something out with you to save on costs.

>>What size rabbit would you order for a 10-12 foot Burm? After reading this post, I want to order a full box, but don't want to get something too big for my snake. In the past, I have fed with Jumbo Rats but that gets pretty expensive fast also. Looks like you get more for your money out of the rabbits?
>>
>>PS. If anyone lives around Harrisburg Pa, I will be glad to work something out with you to save on costs.

I have fed mine any size from dwarfs to giants. Obviously it depends on animal size but mine is a huge pig and never gets too much.
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Chris, my wife Mary
a dog, two cats, two birds, four snakes
oh and three kids

http://www.hare-today.com/

Shipping is very inexpensive compared to other companies as the owners uses alot of dry ice and insulates the boxes really well. Then she ships 2 - 4 day ground and has never had a problem with thawing. I live about 30 miles from her so I pick up my rabbits every few months.