Boa Feeding

I've been thinking about varying my BCs diet a little by adding in some quail, chickens, or rabbit. She is on rats right now and doing fine. I know that obviously they have varied diets in the wild. Does anyone on here feed different types of food/what are your opinions on the pros and cons of doing so?

I've never done it but my understanding from people who do is that when feathers go in the front end, what comes out the back end can be pretty gross.

I have heard that as well. I've also heard that when you get the really gross stuff is when the diet is switched primarily to fowl rather than just using it as a variation sometimes.

By necessity, the two specimens of Timber Rattlesnakes in my collection require that I rotate between mice/chicks on occasion. I can confirm that the stool is quite offensive after a chick feeding but returns to a tolerable mess once they are back on rodents. I also have one Gila that prefers quail chicks and it seems to have the same effect on their feces. Needless to say, I only resort to the poultry section of my freezer when absolutely necessary .
One thing I would be careful of is the possibility of your animal "imprinting" on an alternate or less available food source.

Nocturnalnature wrote:

One thing I would be careful of is the possibility of your animal "imprinting" on an alternate or less available food source.

This

Now I feed my Retics and Burms a variety because they will all pretty much eat anything but I mainly stick to one prey source and feed others if I get them (I feed rabbits primairly)

bcr229 wrote:

I've never done it but my understanding from people who do is that when feathers go in the front end, what comes out the back end can be pretty gross.

And yes you will get some feathers.

Interesting read...
http://www.deviantconstrictors.com/blog/new-prey-item-for-my-boas.html

Interesting. Thanks for sharing! After that and some other research I think I may be leaning towards at least giving them a shot for a little and see how big mama responds to them. I'll definitely give an update on the outcome once I have.

The problem with fat is most of what you're feeding bigger boas is Retired breeders and they're higher content wise with fat.

I like mixing up the prey items personally if you can. I wouldn't suggest it with a picky or sparatic eater.

My boa is definitely nowhere near picky and surprisingly enough neither are my bps!