|
Post by bigsis7 on Dec 5, 2008 21:57:49 GMT -5
Ok, so I've been reading up on feeding live prey. I had heard a few stories while owning rats of rats killing snakes they were supposed to be fed to. Here are some pictures from one of the stories: WARNING: Below photos may be disturbing. i77.photobucket.com/albums/j71/sugarfoxx/Bild1.jpgi77.photobucket.com/albums/j71/sugarfoxx/Bild2.jpgSo if there are risks to this why do people still feed live? I have heard numerous cases of this happening, but usually just with rats and snakes. I guess ferrets probably have it easier cause they can run. Rats are very smart though, so it is possible for a rat to figure out how to escape/injure one of our fur babies. So I'm just wondering is it worth the risk to feed live? If not how do people who breed feeder animals for their pets humanely kill them?
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Dec 5, 2008 23:58:55 GMT -5
You're right, rats can be ferocious when cornered as can any prey. That's why I feed them frozen Actually, it was after a particularly difficult kill that I decided that my furbabies wouldn't be allowed to kill larger prey any more. Up until this point they had been more than up to the deal. These had been young rats and my guys had been very good at getting a good hold and making a fast kill. The rats that I got that last time were larger. My guys made the kill in the end but it was horrible and gruesome. I'm not going into the details, I was afraid for my guys, but what was worse was the rat was too large for them to get a good grip, to make a clean kill. So rats are now fed frozen. Call me squeemish. My supplier does the kill (she has a chamber) and then freezes them for me. Mice on the other hand are fresh kill. This provides stimulation and fulfills their need to hunt (this isn't necessary, consider this a bonus if you're a ferret) Yes, there is a possibility of a nasty bite, same as when your cat hunts with about the same result, the mouse looses in the end. Unlike a cat, a ferret doesn't play with it's food...they're all business so their chance of a severe bite is a little less. That is my take on it. I'm sure there are others who have a different take on it but my guys are all rescues and have been fed kibbles for most of their lives. They enjoy the stimulation and the dinner offered at the end of it. ciao
|
|
|
Post by silverphoenix69 on Dec 6, 2008 5:17:29 GMT -5
I no I couldn't do live, at least any time soon. If I ever end up breeding my own mice, I'll have my brother do the killings with a chamber. I'll freeze them for at least a week then feed them to my kids.
I have a snake as well...And I won't feed her live because of those stories. I didn't want her to get bit, or hurt by the mouse...And again I don't think I could have done it *shrugs* Its one thing when they're frozen but another when you see them moving.
|
|
|
Post by suds on Dec 6, 2008 6:08:42 GMT -5
for me the enrichment of feeding whole prey is why its worth it. They are born hunters and need to fullfill that drive . Now it just as important to know what your ferets can handle and can not handle as live prey , Why its recomended to start with younger mice and work up to adult mice , Once they learn how to hunt and kill there prey it is all busness they go rite for the kill no playing around so it is more humane that way , unlike cats they will play and torment there prey before they kill it a ferret gos directly for the kil then will prance around with his prise proudly, I too would never take a chance with adult Rats , gerbals and hamsterters because they all can be very defensive and injure a ferret as well as the potental of making the hunt last longer which is something I could not handle watching another animal suffer longer needlesly .
|
|