Feeding

[8Corn*Freak8]

I am going to be buying my mice for feeding from a local pet store. I would like to know...should I just go out and buy like 2-3 pinkies per 2 weeks? I will keep them frozen. How long should i let them thaw before i feed them to my snake?

 

[Chip]

You know the size and appetite of your snake better than anyone else, but I'd buy in bulk if there is a price break at, say 10 or 25. Double seal them in ziplocks and they will stay fine for months. You'll save money and trips to the store. Just don't refreeze any that weren't eaten.
As for how long to thaw, I put them in ziplocks in warm water. When they no longer feel cool at all, they are ready. You could even stick them in your pants pocket until warmed or in a warm sunny window, pinkies thaw quickly... I don't recommend putting them in the microwave, oven, or under lights, lest they get too hot or "cook" inside. Lastly, if it's a finicky feeder, I'd avoid putting them directly in water, pinkies don't seem to have as strong a scent as older mice.

 

[CornCrazy]

How big is/are your snake(s)? How many mice you buy will depend on the size of your snake(s), and how often you are feeding them. I feed my young snakes about every 5 days. As they start moving up in "food" size, I start spreading my feedings apart. My yearlings get fed once a week, and my adults typically get fed every ten days.

As for thawing the mice, I simply put mine in a cup of warm (not hot) water to let them thaw. You may have to change the water out a couple of times before the mice are thawed completely. When you think the mice may be thawed, take one out and hold it snugly in you hand for about 10 seconds or so. If you still feel "coldness" then the mouse is not thawed enough. Repeat this until the mice are thawed.

 

[fateamber]

I always buy mice in tens but if you want an excuse to go back to the shop more often to see the snakes you could but them in smaller numbers!
When defrosting i leave them out for a few hours to defrost a bit then i put them in a sndwich bag in warm water to finish off defrosting / heat them up a bit.
A few weeks ago i discovered some of my mice had freezer burn so i went and wraped them up in lots of layers, but when i went back to the shop to get some more i discovered the mice were freezer burned in the shop! So i ended up buying these black fuzzies that for some reason were not freezer burnt!