Refusing F/T

For the first time ever, my normal male has refused any f/t or prekilled since coming out of burmation. That was the end of January. I don't know how to go about getting him turned back onto f/t or prekilled. With my balls I'd lock them up over night in a pillow case or small cage to get them to eat. It hasn't worked for him. Help please!

I had the same issue with a '99 male this year. He'd never eaten live, so I didn't venture that route. He came out of his 1st shed and seemed active, but didn't eat three consecutive weeks when all my other breeders did. He ate at my last feeding, I just put it in his cage at dusk (shrug?). Is yours taking live? Is it opaque? Finally, a long shot, is there a nearby ovulating female that may be distacting him with her "odors of love?"
Best wishes with this.

My male didn't eat his f/t food when he came out of brumation either. Eventually I got a live hopper from the pet store, killed it, and immediately fed him. He happily ate it, fresh killed. After that, he took f/t again at subsequent feedings, and I have not had to resort to fresh killed prey again. Which is a good thing, too; I hate having to kill those poor little mice.

BlkCat,
Wondering something... are the mice in your freezer pretty old? Did you have them last year and brumate everything, or are they fairly fresh. I just remembered a black milk I have that is my barometer for when I need to hurry up and feed up my frozen. She seems to be a snob in that regard even when the others eat fine. So far she has held out ( two or three weeks) until I've paid top price for a single pack of "mice on Ice" just for her. But when I get new shipments she eats fine. This has happened twice now, not exactly a trend, but when they are frost covered or toward the bottom of the bag, she turns her nose up to them.

The mice were killed and frozen a week ago. So I highly doubt it's anything to do with the mice themselves. Irritates me too. My beautiful 2002's (from Jason Parrish) are eating 2 f/t pinks every 3 days with no problem.

It's funny, he acts REALLY interested, but no bite. I used to be able to place 3 f/t mice in the cage with him, and 30 minutes later, they'd be gone.

He is housed right above an adult female. But he's always been, no problem before. Odd. Maybe he's just being silly.

I didn't try giving him live. I actually had killed off my last batch of 50 (their were only about six left, so I figured I my as well have them frozen for the corns and get a new batch of lives for my balls, who will ONLY eat live, boogers) just the other week. Maybe in another 2 weeks I'll get another order of lives in, or just cave in and pick one up at a local pet store to try it, if he doesn't take, the balls will always take the extra snack. Only thing, I have no problem giving the balls live as long as I watch them, but they're pretty darn strong with their constricting, but I'm concerned with the strength of the corn. Wouldn't he be more likely to be harmed?

BLKKAT,
DO NOT FEED LIVE TO A SNAKE THAT HAS NEVER HAD IT! A corn that is used to killing it's prey can dispatch a mouse like a lightning strike, don't worry about that. But a snake that is always fed f/t will freak.

What about him trying to take a chick??

Has he ever eaten live? Well, as an adult? If so, go for a live mouse. Or chick. Trust me, a mouse isn't going to hurt a hungry corn that knows how to kill. Operative word being "hungry." Slim chance of the mouse even getting a bite in, really. You'll be impressed with the speed, power and constricting ability of a rat snake. I know balls are big in circumference, but it's no different in the sense of a squeeze being a squeeze! My worry is that he has been on frozen for too long to "remember" how to hunt and kill. Maybe he's just waking up slowly. One of mine didn't take food for three weeks while the rest ate with great vigor.

He's never, ever had live under my care (the past 2 years, though he is 4 now). I might just run down Sunday and get him a live chick to see if he'll take. Possibility. They're pretty inexpensive this time of year. If he won't take it, I'm sure the balls will, they nab anything that smells like food practically.

He's been out of burmation though since end of January, beginning of February. Isn't that a bit long?

Forget the chick idea. For one he may just get "stuck" on chicks and refuse mice for a long time. For two, I believe you will be unhappy when you see the foul, watery stinky feces he will pass after eating a chick! Maybe you've seen this before, but I wouldn't do it.

If it takes offering live, do it. He can definitly kill an adult mouse with relative ease. You must watch close though like you mentioned, and try not to make it a habit.

But if I was you, and seeing as its breeding season, if he isn't losing weight....I would do nothing. Wait it out. My king didnt want nothing for three months except a girl. *LOL*

bmm