I have an 8 ft. JCP and I live in a small town where its difficult to get a nice big rat sometimes. I was wondering if it would be ok to feed him a nice size chick/chicken when I can't find any rats. It was just a thought that came to mind while I was at the feed store and saw all sizes of chickens if it would be fine to feed one now and then.
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Rats or Fowl
snakesnmore
Jul 20, 2005 09:15 PM
Replies (3)
-eaux-
Jul 20, 2005 09:28 PM
shouldn't be a problem, i would think.
carpets in the wild feed on birds, small mammals, pretty much whatever gets too close and will fit inside.
only thing i would be wary of would be the snake getting so fond of fowl that it wouldn't feed on rodents.
no firsthand experience on that one, just what i've heard.
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freeloaders:
1.0 Morelia spilota cheynei
1.1 M.s. cheynei x mcdowelli
0.0.1 Liasis mackloti
1.1 Pantherophis guttata
1.0 Sternotherus carinatus
1.0 APBT
0.0.5 African/South American cichlids
?.? rats and mice
hefte
Jul 21, 2005 01:20 AM
In response to the earlier post, I have a JCP that got addicted to chickens, it took a couple of months to get her back on rodents. But, a JCP hunger strike usually isn't like that of a Ball, they are pretty consistant feeders. The one thing I've heard to be weary of, is that fowl have hollow bones and can result in damage to the snake. There was a picture going around of an ETB or a GTP that had a bone sticking out of it. I kinda doubt it's that likely but something to consider I guess. Other than that, my JCP absolutely loves chicken, she wouldn't take a dove though, it's that chicken smell. If you have problems getting it to switch back, dip the rat in unsalted chicken broth, should have no problems, good luck, Eric-
FARMER
Jul 21, 2005 07:16 AM
I actually pick up a few chicks to raise as egg layers each year... I've considered grabbing a couple of extras for my snakes...my only concern was that the chicks you pick up at the local feed/grain store are fed a medicated ration...I wasn't sure if that would harm the snakes so I haven't tried it?? I suppose you could feed them (the chicks) an unmedicated feed for a week or so to purge out any meds?? Or maybe the meds are harmless to begin with? Just a thought...
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JOHN H in NH
