Day old chicks

[EL Ziggy]

Originally Posted by UwabamiReptiles

I give a varied diet to all my snakes besides the bps. I feed rats, mice, chicks, and quail. The thing with chicks is to just use them as a supplement. If you only feed them chicks all of a sudden, then you end up with the smelly poo. The chicks don't have the fur that rats and mice do to bind up all the poo so you end up with a runny smelly poo. I usually either add a chick to a feeding or give a chick, then give a mouse or rat a couple days later. Its a little extra work but I have noticed that some snakes have a crazy feeding response with anything chicken related. My Japanese rats don't strike at the mice or rats I give them. I have to just leave them in their cage and they will slowly come over a eat it. If I give them a chick or a quail, I have to watch my hands because they will literally jump out of their cage to get to the chick.

Some people like to give varied diets, some don't. Its not something a keeper has to do to make the snake more healthy. The argument I've always heard is "a mouse or rat has everything a snake needs, so why give them something else if they can get all the nutrients they need from a rat or mouse.". There's nothing wrong with that either. I give my collection mostly rats and mice. I only supplement with chicks or quail.

That's nice to know U. I've only fed my snakes mice until yesterday. I got adventurous last night and offered one of them a rat fuzzy which she took with no problem. I was concerned that if I offered rats they wouldn't take mice anymore and I didn't want to waste my supply of mice feeders. Next time I'll offer one of the other snakes a rat and see how that goes. I've heard stories of snakes that will only eat one type or prey. It's good to hear from someone who offers a varied diet with no problems. I like the idea of mixing things up. I've also wanted to try chicks or lizards as supplemental feedings.