RCReptiles.com

[deborahbroadus]

Still no babies, but they are getting FAT!!

As some of you know, I am attempting to breed rabbits because there is more fat on them. My strategy is to attempt to keep them eating during the "lean" months or to have them switching back and forth so that they keep a constant weight with the fat of the rabbits (rabbits have a higher fat content)

The strategy and theory are sound, but they better start having babies soon, because they eat like hogs...more than rats and crap WORSE. You know they crap pellets well get enough of them in the same place, and combine it with their liquid urine and you will WANT to breed rats. Rats are clean compared to rabbits.

Looks can be soooo deceiving, they look clean and fluffy and sweet.

[Deedle]

http://rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp

Actually rabbits are not fatter.

But I tell you feeding bigger snakes 3-4 rats when you can do it with 1 rabbit is much better. Hell If I could I'd feed my male boa rabbits.

How many rabbits do you have breeding? If you ever go big scale breeding them give me a call LOL. It sucks breeding rabbits here in Texas, it just gets to hot from them, I wish I would of gotten a few to breed though, so far we have had a mild rainy year. lol

[Deedle]

oO yeah and before I forget, to much fat in a reptile's diet is a bad thing for most of them. Thtats why people that feed G. Pigs and pigs mix it up a bit.

I've seen a burm eat a 55 lb pig LOL

[deborahbroadus]

Why according to this chart, you are right! I can't remember where I got the information that rabbits had more fat..there should be a link in here somewhere. But perhaps, I read the chart wrong ( won't be the first time).

Regardless, I am going ahead with my strategy of mixing up the prey to keep them eating. I am doing it with gerbil scenting rats, regular rats and rabbits (when they are born). I don't use mice (nasty critters never bred for me )

You are right that too much fat is bad for a snake; and since you pointed out that rabbits actually have less fat...I may be doing them a good turn?

So far, I have 4 Does and one Male.

[Deedle]

Well I'm glad I could show you that, I like to feed rabbits, but also mix up with rats as well, It was explained to me that its better to proportion things a bit!

I keep that link on my favs, because its good Info, and its not something that rodent pro or anyone made up it was a study done by a group of well known biologist.

Rats/mice/chicken/rabbits whatever of those you feed is not to fatty, if you feed to many Gpigs, or thats their main diet thats a bit to fatty.

What kind of snakes are you breeding rabbits for?

[deborahbroadus]

...and Deedle, sometimes, I type so fast that I forget and leave things out..., so thanks for the correction, and the resource. I wouldn't want to keep spouting the same misinformation.

Right now I have one that's a possible WC that has only eaten Gerbils and gerbil-flavored rats. I actually keep the gerbils in case I have another picky eater.

I breed Bps, bps, ball pythons, etc...and that's it.

[Deedle]

[deborahbroadus]

I didn't take it that way dear. Absolutely not. Just that sometimes I rush through things and forget to say or do something so I wanted to correct that.

Yep, going to feed baby rabbits, pinks or whatever the next size is that they can handle (not full grown).

If it doesn't work out, I can always sell the rabbits as pets, but I do like to try different things and noticed that it is not a food commonly tried on bps (nothing ventured, nothing gained.)

[Deedle]

We all get into a rush sometimes, its all good

Keep us posted on how it works out, and if the growth rate is any different on them.

Forget selling them as pets, kill em off, if the pinks don't work out let me know, I know quite a few people that need rabbits of all sizes

[deborahbroadus]

[raven]

i hate to even tell you this since i like bunnies and these are my favorite, but if you're looking to use rabbits for feeders for bps, you might try using polish rabbits. the adults top out at around 3-3.5lbs. a fully weaned and able baby is still small enough to sit in the palm of your hand (i had one when i was younger and had the intent of breeding them once upon a time)

[deborahbroadus]