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Freezing feeder rodents alive?

Lovin2act

Lovin2act

I gave my wife herps
Is it ok to euthanize them that way, or is it a hard way to die? I hear people say they will fall asleep and die peacefully, and then I hear that it is horrid, long, and very painful. Not sure who is right. I have never studied the effects of freezing to death so was wondering if anyone here had any knowledge of this with regards to rodents. My gut feeling is that its gotta be a nasty way for them to die, but my girlfriend thinks they will pass out once they get cooled down enough and die in their sleep and its not so bad. Any thoughts? Im gonna keep googling for info and see what I can find.
 
From what I have read, it is humane to freeze pinkies and fuzzies without hair alive, and pinkies die within a minute.

But anything with fur should never be frozen alive. It is torture. From what I understand, their extremities freeze first, and they go through extreme pain before finally dying.
 
So my gut is right here for the most part then. I wanna start buying adult mice and rats from a local guy here, but he only sells them live and told me I could just freeze them myself. It will save me a TON of money to buy from him rather than petco...but I dont know that I can live with myself if I know I am torturing an animal. Even if its an animal meant for food and going to die anyway....I am seriously not okay with myself inside to knowingly disrespect a life in such a way if that is in fact the case. When something is losing its life in order to save another...I dont want to cheapen that ultimate sacrifice by causing it unneeded pain and torment. I know there is the bash method, but bashing 50-60 mice and rats at a time isn't something I really want to do all that much either with my family around. Just would kinda look bad I think with such a high amount of animals. I'll keep looking for a better solution here I think. Money isn't everything.
 
^^yea that makes sense since the pinkies are so small and the cold would enter (actually, heat would leave) their small bodies much quicker than something that is bigger and had fur.
 
Well, there are 2 things you can do....
somewhere on this site (I don't know where exactly, but I know it's here somewhere) there are plans to construct a homemade gas chamber. That is a humane method of dispatching feeder rodents.

Or, you can buy frozen in bulk. If you are already buying 50-60 at a time (or plan to), it might be just as easy to get them already humanely killed and frozen....that's what I do.
 
starsevol said:
Well, there are 2 things you can do....
somewhere on this site (I don't know where exactly, but I know it's here somewhere) there are plans to construct a homemade gas chamber. That is a humane method of dispatching feeder rodents.

Or, you can buy frozen in bulk. If you are already buying 50-60 at a time (or plan to), it might be just as easy to get them already humanely killed and frozen....that's what I do.
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Yeah the thought crossed my mind to look into that.

And the bulk buying is great apart from the extra 50 bucks for shipping. Then it gets less enticing. I would spend about 45 bucks total if I buy from this local guy here for almost 70 feeders. Now thats enticing haha! It's just the killing them all part. Maybe a home made gas chamber is my best option to look into.
 
The prices listed are for orders over $100. You would have to call them for prices if you are under $100, but I just picked up a 50 bag of large pinkies for $20. That's $0.40 each. Still cheaper than at a petstore...but if you have alot to order you'll get that great price they have on their site.
 
If you split an order with another herp owner in your area, buying mail order frozen feeders is very affordable. If there are herp shows in your area, there are usually local people who raise feeders & bring them pre-frozen to the show at reasonable prices. Hope this helps!
 
Can I ask a question about freezing? I understand that pinks and fuzzies freeze very quickly, but is it really painful for full grown mice? I mean...it's been documented that humans facing death by hypothermia did not find it painful, even when their extremities lost all circulation. Would that not hold true for rodents?
 
smallfry said:
Can I ask a question about freezing? I understand that pinks and fuzzies freeze very quickly, but is it really painful for full grown mice? I mean...it's been documented that humans facing death by hypothermia did not find it painful, even when their extremities lost all circulation. Would that not hold true for rodents?
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Rodents have fur, so I'd assume they'd lose warmth more slowly. I'd rather not chance causing something to die painfully... I always use wade's method of dispatching, personally :)
 
Teddy Roosevelt said:
Rodents have fur, so I'd assume they'd lose warmth more slowly. I'd rather not chance causing something to die painfully... I always use wade's method of dispatching, personally :)
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This one? :roflmao:
 

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smallfry said:
Can I ask a question about freezing? I understand that pinks and fuzzies freeze very quickly, but is it really painful for full grown mice? I mean...it's been documented that humans facing death by hypothermia did not find it painful, even when their extremities lost all circulation. Would that not hold true for rodents?
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When more humane methods are available, that take around 10 seconds for CO2, or instantly for cervical seperation, why would you put something in the freezer that can take many hours to die? I also think there is pain involved as frostbite sets into the extremities. Having lived on the Canadian prairies, I know what it feels like to have bare hands, ears, nose exposed to freezing cold temperatures. It is painful. JMO
 
smallfry said:
Can I ask a question about freezing? I understand that pinks and fuzzies freeze very quickly, but is it really painful for full grown mice? I mean...it's been documented that humans facing death by hypothermia did not find it painful, even when their extremities lost all circulation. Would that not hold true for rodents?
Click to expand...

You are from Florida, so it will be a little difficult for you to do this......
but, in December or January, get in your car and drive to Maine.
Get out of the car.
Take off all your clothes.
And stay there uncovered for a good half hour.

THEN tell us if it is painful.

I live in RI, and just going to the mailbox in January in a huge winter coat is an ordeal when the wind kicks up....
and without gloves it most definately is painful....
 
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