Opinions on feeder Guinea pigs for boas

Hello
I raised many boas and never used Guinea pigs. I’m looking to see if the are more nutritional than rats. I bred both rats and rabbits. I only had one boa out of 20 ish adults and many juvi’s. So I stopped the rabbit breeding.
I no longer breed rats either. I had a soft spot for many of them as they are very intelligent. So I hated putting them down. Lol.

Any information on using Guinea pigs as a staple or just 1 a month to change up its diet? Can boas actually taste what they are eating?

Thank you
Rich

Never tried but I have 100 frozen GP's ranging from 1 to 2.5# on the way so I can certainly offer some of the smaller ones to the bigger adult boas.

Also having offered my boas rats, very young/small rabbits, chickens, guinea fowl, etc. over the years I don't think I've ever had one not take a different feeder than what they typically get. They're not picky little ball pythons after all.

Guinea pigs must be insanely delicious. Years ago I got a great deal on some and fed them to some adult burms, and juvie retics. One of the retics, and one of the burms would never take anything else afterwards. A couple of my friends have had the same thing happen, so now I avoid guinea pigs.

Originally Posted by som16724

Guinea pigs must be insanely delicious. Years ago I got a great deal on some and fed them to some adult burms, and juvie retics. One of the retics, and one of the burms would never take anything else afterwards. A couple of my friends have had the same thing happen, so now I avoid guinea pigs.

That’s why I posted this thread. I’ve read a few stories just like yours on google. I also read they are much fatter. So I thought I’d check with the fauna members.
So it sounds like they just might have some sort of taste. Or maybe they digest better and the snakes realize that

Does fat digest quicker than protein?

I think the fat content would vary based on the critter's age. Compare a small rat to a retired adult breeder - the breeder will be carrying more fat than a young one that's still growing. Same for us as we age.

Also my larger pythons get a pretty varied diet anyway - rabbits, chickens, stillborn lambs and baby goats from local farmers, piglets... and I've not found them to get stuck on anything. They're opportunistic in the wild; if they get hungry enough they'll eat.