help on integrating pinkies to my garters

[slipknot711]

I just started to try introducing cut up pinkies to my snakes. the one from the pet shop i got wont even acknowledge it.one of my new babies took off with a large piece but realized it couldnt handle it. the even smaller scrubs prefer the small minnows. i rubbed the pinky parts with the fish hoping to attract them but to no avail. i cut the bits into (feeder fish sized slivers) hoping they wont be so overwhelmed by it. atleast i had one interested. but is there anything else i can do to integrate the pinkies to everyone? am i doing something wrong? should i stop feeding them the fish in the hopes when they are hungry they will realize the delight of pinkies? plz help first time im dealing with pinkies.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

cut some fish and pinkies up in small pieces and mix them together and that should work just fine! The anery used to eat pinky parts and nightcrawler parts mixed together if it was one from me!

[GarterSnake]

Agreed! That's when mine FINALLY converted to f/t after much toil. Kill the fish by putting it in ice water for 45 mins, that's the fastest, most humane and least disgusting way, then you can chop it up. Sorry for the disgustingness, that's how I got my stubborn snake on f/t.

[guidofatherof5]

Yep, garter goulash. You can put some worm chunks in it for even variety. Yum!

[chris-uk]

Kill the fish by putting it in ice water for 45 mins, that's the fastest, most humane and least disgusting way, then you can chop it up.

Sorry, but I disagree with your definition of "humane". If you're about to chop it up anyway then you shouldn't be bothered by pithing the brain (insert something sharp and wiggle it around inside the skull to totally destroy the brain). I wouldn't consider iced water to be a humane method of dispatch.

I do agree that chopping pinky pieces and mixing with fish pieces that are suitable size to be swallowed is the best approach to get a young garter eating pinkies.

[GarterSnake]

I was describing a common method. To clarify, I put the fish in ice water. It swims normally for about five seconds, then sinks to the bottom of the glass, no movement, even in the gills or tail fin. Then I use the pithing method on the apparently dead/unconscious fish. I don't know if the fish is in discomfort before movement ceases, but I cannot bring myself to use the pithing method on a conscious fish for fear that I will do it incorrectly and cause more suffering. Yeah, I'm a softie, even with my snake's prey, but that is my preferred method.