Guyanese redtail feeding questions

[error_911]

Hey everyone, I was just about to order some rats for my lil boa (ohk, not that little anymore - he's just shy of 4'), and I've always liked the idea of offering variety in feeding. I've fed him mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, degus (those large african rodents) and now I've found somewhere that has Quails for a decent price ($1.44 per 6-week-old, ~150grams) and was wondering on anyone's experience feeding their boa youn birds... Also, fish - yes or no ? Thanks

[snakedude]

I've never fed any quail ,but , chicks are a welcomed treat for some boas. My local rat supplier swears by them, for her more picky eaters.
good luck .
Dan C.

[tatdaddy]

I would stick to f/t rats dude :'(

[error_911]

hmmmm, we'll see if this place will let me take one with an order 'o rats, try it out on him... actually, I think I'll ask his vet too, she's pretty good with him. What about fish though, does anyone know about boas eating either dead or alive fish ?

[LUKEUK01]

Boas dont eat fish? I would not feed the veriety of rodents you are feeding, mainly becouse your boa will get a likeing for maybe the degus of something else and decide to refuse the rats, I have had many snakes that were brought up on mice and would not take rats! + rats are better for yor boa less fur and less fat. :'(

[Salmissra]

I have always been told that variety was good for them.
The picky eating part hasn't been a problem for me, but my Royal Python is a piggy. ;D She's had everything from mice, small rats, two-three day old chicks and baby rabbits.
I am picking up my Dumeril's tomorrow and she's been eating mice and small rats from a hide.
I'd ask my vet, mine always gives me excellent advice as well as great service.

[bcijoe]

I've heard variety is good, but never heard it mentioned when dealing with snakes!
Yes, it won't hurt, but there could be complications from it..
as somewhat mentioned before... what if he starts to refuse rats and only take degu's? and what if you suddenly can't get more degu's?
haven't those large african rodents been outlawed because of the Monkey pox ? the last thing you need is a case of monkeypox to worry about...!!!

I've NEVER heard of a Boa eating a fish - dead or alive.

I've often heard of boas eating fowl, be it chicks or quail.
The usual convenience here is the price, since they are a bit cheaper than rodents.
The inconvenience here is the mess... bird eaters usually drop loose, messy, very smelly poop.
Ask anyone that goes out collecting colubrids.. these wild caught animals tend to have fed on birds and usually their first few stools are runny and REALLY smelly... it's not together and compact like a rat eaters poop...
these are just some thoughts... my own opinions and experiences...
hope this helped!
thanks

[gomez101]

I'm in total agreeance with bcijoe. I fed my boa a chick one day, he wasn't used to it, so the chick sat in there for about two hours crapping all over my cage. Then the whisky poopers came a week later.