freezing feeders

[0370]

hi
i just wanted to know if i can kill and freeze my own rats?
Or is there some special way you have to freeze them?can it just put them in the freezer?

thatnks for any help.

[DataRipper]

thats all i do .. kill em .. put them in a frezzer bag.. and throw them in..

[mykee]

Kill them humanely, put them in air-tight freezer bags, be sure to take all or al least most of the air out to ensure a longer freezer life. DON'T throw them in the freezer live.

[Lisa]

don't freeze them wet either.

[0370]

aright, thats good news thanks everyone.


don't worry i wouldn't put them in the freezer alive.

[Wizwise2000]

Why not freeze them wet?

[Cruciform]

I want to know too! :)

I've seen people on here say they freeze their rats in cubes to prevent freezerburn.

So did you mean not to freeze them in water or just not wet as in "wet like a dog" :)

I can see that being a problem when a small amount of ice does the evaporation thing. That would increase freezer burn.

[vanderkm]

We freeze them dry to they are easier to separate when taking some out to thaw. If they are wet when they go in, they really stick together and are hard to take a few out.

Just my suggestion, but we find we can store a lot more if they are placed flat in the bag rather than all jammed in on top of each other. Then the bags fit neatly into boxes and again, it is easier to get the rodents separated from each other without tearing off limbs, etc.

mary v.

[Cruciform]

If there's going to be enough feeders to warrant it, a dedicated chest-style freezer is the way to go too.

It doesn't suffer the temperature fluctuation of a fridge freezer, and the rats will have a longer shelf life.