Finches as snake food?!

[mickw]

Since we're on ethics.........

I dig termites out of the ground and feed them live to my finches.........why wouldnt a snake lover want to source a cheap food source other than mice.....for variety like we do?

Ethics shouldnt be confused with ones values or priorities......I'm sure I could be causing offence to both Zebra finch lovers AND Entomologists....but what of the pain & suffering of the poor little Isoptera as they're ravaged every morning and afternoon in my aviaries....

PS; Hate snakes, but wouldnt kill 'em, likewise wouldnt feed any animal live......I do take a teaspoon of cement each day though

[jluna]

i'm with you, mickw.

if you're prepared to kill a cockroach, mouse, rat or flea (or feed termites to birds) then there is no ethical difference to the killing of zebs or any other creature. it's a matter of preference and personal opinion.

but day-old chicks would be a much better food for snakes unless they're very small...

[thehammer]

Not uncommon for people to feed surplus male King Quail to snakes.

[Jayburd]

[Myzomela]

The distinction has traditionally been between vertebrates and invertebrates.
Invertebrates ( insects, spiders etc) lack a spinal cord and central nervous system and so are not considered to perceive pain like vertebrates such as birds or mice do.
This does not mean there is a moral difference, but perhaps a welfare difference.
I think that this is the next potential problem to rear its head- livebaiting in fishing will be next and feeding live insects to birds and reptiles could potentially follow.
It's best we be prepared.

[thehammer]

The problem is that Kings are very easy to breed (as you know), probably 3 times more males than females are bred. If you lose young they are generally females. Shops pay $1 each for males if you are lucky and will generally only do so if you have a few females to sell them with the males.

Not worth trying to sell males privately if you have other more valuable birds….

I also wonder how many male kings “escape” from aviaries each year? ;)

[Jayburd]

I can sell my excess males fine, all the pet shops in Canberra want them, I get $4ea for hen $3ea for cocks
as for "escape" there are some who do, most don't thank god.

[matcho]

[quote="Myzomela"]
I think that this is the next potential problem to rear its head- livebaiting in fishing.


The subject of live baiting and fishing generally has been targetted by radical groups already. I have been abused by people when I am pursuing my other passion (fishing) as I am a 90% catch and release type person. Pity they dont get out in the real world and see what really happens in the world of survival.

[jusdeb]

I bait snails in my garden , I spray flies and ants , I squish cockroaches , I feed mice caught in traps to the ferrets however I wouldn't feed a live finch to a snake .

Contradictory creatures aren't we ?

Oh and I would feed a snake to anything that would eat it

[gomer]

The difference between putting a alive rat and snake in a cockring together,Verses a finch eating live food.Is that both the animals in a confined space have no option to get away from each other then to fight for their lives.Where as a termite or meal worm does not even see it coming, and would not also have anywhere near the same capacity as a alive rat or finch being feed to a snake to feel fear,Also probably no pain either.I have dispatched may animals and variety of animals over the years and always do it in the most humane way posible.

I also keep snakes,Once while I was away, one got out into the hopping mouse enclosure,The result was 4 eaten mice one badly damaged one and a severely damaged snake. At least if a finch is being mauled by a mealworm or termite it has a chance to escape,I suppose that's why with some reptiles you have to remove the head of the mealworm first .

So if you you want to feed your snake quail, finches or rats or what ever.For the sake of the snake aswell as the food,please dispatch the food before feeding it to the snake,As you could end up with a vet bill for a damaged snake aswell.I also breed rats for snake food only, and dispatch them before feeding them out.

Also snakes are not to bad to eat,I am yet to eat a rat though.But as with the snake i would eata rat dispatched first.