| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Coal |
Posted - 05/10/2013 : 12:22:01
Hi guys, apologies if this is a strange question, but I was wondering what sized mouse a say old chick would be equivalent to in terms of size? I'm thinking of trying Lovecraft on them when he's big enough for a bit of variation but am not sure what sized mouse they'd replace, so any thoughts would be very welcome. If anyone could get a picture of a day old chick next to some mice of various sizes that would be great, but failing that, just some general opinions.
Thanks :) |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lee |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 18:33:59
I feed my 5 1/2 foot male chicks, alternating between a weaner rat one meal and a chick the next, they don't have as much calcium or fat as rats but I needed to slim him down a little anyway. He takes them no problem and makes no difference to his poo. I never find beaks/feet either so they must be digested. If a chick is a little too big you can pull the legs to dislocate the hips which makes it easier to swallow (the snake not me!) |
| AcidicAngel |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 14:13:31
Every snake is different  There are people on here that cut the legs and beak off the chicks as the snakes can't digest them and they come back out yet I never find any legs or beak in Cereus' poop lol. |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 12:25:39
I've never found that chicks have any affect on my snakes poop, it always seems perfectly normal. Same for the couple of babies I have on chick thighs, their poop is the same as the other babies. Diego is fed every 10 days, and he's very active, but still very fat :/ He has lost a lot of weight since I got him though o.O |
| AcidicAngel |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 11:39:08
I don't use any vitamin supplements in their water and I'd prefer to feed mice as they don't give my snakes the runs lol. Cereus get's a chick every couple of months because he likes them but I must admit they make his poo smell worse and he does get a touch of the runs when he's had one. I did try him on chicks and not mice once and he was practically pooing water with colouration in it so I stopped.
If he just has them as a treat it's not that bad, they make his poo a little more runny than normal but not to the point where it's practically water.
My snakes aren't fat on mice but then again, they do get fed every 14 days and are fairly active and out and about when I'm in the room. My girl especially. She sticks her head out and when I look over she plays hide and seek lol. Then I get her out for some roaming time My boy comes out regularly for roaming time too but they'll be going into brumation soon, 1st November, so they won't be fed again after next week to make sure they are completely empty so nothing rots away in their stomachs while they brumate. |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 11:07:24
I use vetark BSP vitamin drops, they go in the water. I got them for when Diego wasn't eating, as a supplement, and now all my snakes have them (including the babies who have grown so fast). I did have a powder, but it smelled quite strong, and they didn't like it. |
| Coal |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 10:51:44
quote:
Originally posted by SilverWings
I don't know about the not having as much nutrition thing, I read an article online that explored the suitability of chicks as snake food compared to rats and mice, there was less fat, and less calcium, but for most other vitamins etc, the chick was roughly the same as the rats and mice. I feed chicks fairly frequently but I also use vitamin supplements in the water, so I know my guys are getting what they need. Plus the reduced fat appeals to me, particularly in Diegos case, since he resumed eating he's just gone 'poof' and now he's fatter than ever. I'm considering switching to chicks with the occasional mouse for him to see how he likes it. Luna likes the occasional chick but I have to take off the legs at the hip otherwise she gets stuck.
I think I have read the same article; it's what got me thinking about trying LC on chicks once he's big enough to take them - I like the fact that they're less fatty as it can only reduce the risk of him becoming overweight, and I figure that the reduced calcium won't do him any harm once he's stopped growing. They have more protein that rodents too. I've also read several threads over on the 'Dark Side' where people admit to having fed corn snakes amongst other species nothing but DOCs for years and apparently their animals are just as healthy as rodent-fed snakes, so I don't see any harm in trying my boy on them - I'd keep a close eye on his health after the switch.
Also, do you mind me asking what vitamin supplements you use? I'd be interested in looking into that option :) |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 10:02:28
I don't know about the not having as much nutrition thing, I read an article online that explored the suitability of chicks as snake food compared to rats and mice, there was less fat, and less calcium, but for most other vitamins etc, the chick was roughly the same as the rats and mice. I feed chicks fairly frequently but I also use vitamin supplements in the water, so I know my guys are getting what they need. Plus the reduced fat appeals to me, particularly in Diegos case, since he resumed eating he's just gone 'poof' and now he's fatter than ever. I'm considering switching to chicks with the occasional mouse for him to see how he likes it. Luna likes the occasional chick but I have to take off the legs at the hip otherwise she gets stuck. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 02:18:22
I don't feed any of my snakes birds because I have a parrot.
It's simply as a precaution, even tho' I'm over careful and double check on viv locks etc....OCD, I can't think what would happen if they got Peanut!!!
If I didn't have her I'd offer mine a chick as a treat every now.
Edit to say what a beautiful snake!!!  |
| AcidicAngel |
Posted - 06/10/2013 : 00:25:09
I feed them as a treat every couple of months when I get them lol. No good as a staple as they haven't got enough nutrition in them for a staple diet. Plus, too many can give a corn snake the runs lol. He took them straight off the bat, never had a problem with him |
| Coal |
Posted - 05/10/2013 : 16:29:26
Thanks AcidicAngel, that's really helpful. Do you feed your big male chicks as a staple or is it just an occasional thing? Just curious to see what people do really :) Also did you have any trouble getting him onto chicks or did he take them straight away? |
| AcidicAngel |
Posted - 05/10/2013 : 16:19:05
To give you an idea of size, this is my chunky 5'2" boy eating his Day Old Chick. I'll see if I can find one of a chick that I took for size reference as I'm sure I've taken a size reference picture of a Chick before.
And he only just manages it. My female(who is 5'6" but a slimmer and smaller head) can't eat them and she eats some big food items including rat weiners.
And here's the same snake with a large mouse.
 |
| scottishbluebird |
Posted - 05/10/2013 : 15:45:05
I dont know, but you could cut it down to size |
| Coal |
Posted - 05/10/2013 : 15:18:42
Thanks that's very helpful. I actually just went to the local rep shop (I actually found one, eek!) and had a look at a chick and was surprised by huge it was! My boy won't be on them for a while yet. The guy in the shop was pretty adamant that they weren't good for snakes, but I've been reading around and most of what I've found seems to contradict him so I see no harm in trying when he's bigger. Anyone here feed chicks occasionally/exclusively? I would love to know how well your snake takes them and if you think they do well on them. |
| serena_08 |
Posted - 05/10/2013 : 12:48:03
They are similar size to a jumbo mouse. I bought one for Rubi but my mum's monster Moroki had it because it was too big. |
