Is this a good idea?

[Albert Clark]

Originally Posted by Ian of Oldham

Some one said to me that the nutritional value in chicks is very low and you have to feed a lot to get the value out from them, can anyone elaborate on that.

2 Royals, 1 Corn 1 Boa and a mad Cat.

Whoever told you that was wrong. The protein percentage in day old chicks is higher than every mouse and rat except for field mice.

Originally Posted by sattva

This what I have read also... I don't understand the reasoning in switching! If your snakes are healthy and it an't broke don't fix it???

It's not the switching, but the addition of a varied diet. Especially as it relates to protein.

[Ian of Oldham]

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Whoever told you that was wrong. The protein percentage in day old chicks is higher than every mouse and rat except for field mice.


It's not the switching, but the addition of a varied diet. Especially as it relates to protein.

reah but the protein in chick is very low and you need to feed lots to get the same as a rat or guinea pig.

2 Royals 1Corn 1 Boa and a mad Cat.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by Ian of Oldham

reah but the protein in chick is very low and you need to feed lots to get the same as a rat or guinea pig.

2 Royals 1Corn 1 Boa and a mad Cat.

Rat: 61.8% protein (adult)
Chick: 64.9% (day old), 42.3% (adult) protein
Guinea pig: 51.4% (adult)

So no, a day old chick has the most protein out of all of those option. It's also lower in fat. Guinea pigs are also the least healthy option because of the ridiculous fat content. Some snakes deal with fat better, but as adults, fat intake should be restricted as most snakes I know of cannot metabolize fat as well as mammals.

Rat: 32.6% fat
Chick: 22.4% (day old), 37.8% (adult)
Guinea pig: 46.1% fat (adult)

Source.

[Ian of Oldham]

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

Rat: 61.8% protein (adult)
Chick: 64.9% (day old), 42.3% (adult) protein
Guinea pig: 51.4% (adult)

So no, a day old chick has the most protein out of all of those option. It's also lower in fat. Guinea pigs are also the least healthy option because of the ridiculous fat content. Some snakes deal with fat better, but as adults, fat intake should be restricted as most snakes I know of cannot metabolize fat as well as mammals.

Rat: 32.6% fat
Chick: 22.4% (day old), 37.8% (adult)
Guinea pig: 46.1% fat (adult)

Source.

Ok cool I now need to go and read and study on this subject.

2 Royals 1 Corn 1 Boa and a mad Cat.