How too...

[Lindze]

I just received four adult rats and 14 ten day old babies. I was just wondering of away to kill off the babies with out bashing them, i admit i think they are to cute to bash.
Thanks.

[Slannesh]

CO2 chamber is the accepted humane way to euthanize rodents.

Do a search for CO2 and you should find several threads with instructions.

[Linds]

Another way is to put them in an airtight container and let them use up their available oxygen. It takes a while, but isn't inhumane, as they do not realize that they are being suffocated since they are still able to breath. They will just get dizzy and eventually lose consciousness and pass on. Try to use a reltively small container, so it it goes as quick as possible.

[timminsreptiles]

I would use CO2 in a chamber produced with dry ice or baking soda or buy it rather then letting them choke in an airtight container....easier on the rat and much faster.....lucas

[Meta]

how do you do it with baking soda? dry ice is hard for me to come by.

[timminsreptiles]

Dry ice can be bought through ice companies that supply bagged ice or through most welding companies for like1-2$ a pound...........baking soda is used with vinegar to produce C02, check out the link i included, keep in mind that the setup can be modified in many ways to to better fit your needs.

http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

[Linds]

Originally posted by timminsreptiles
I would use CO2 in a chamber produced with dry ice or baking soda or buy it rather then letting them choke in an airtight container....easier on the rat and much faster.....lucas

They don't choke, they are still able to breathe, but oxygen is replaced by CO2. There is nothing inhumane about this, as the rat will not have to endure any pain or fright. They just slowly lose consciousness and then pass away, similar to carbon monoxide poisoning in homes. It is also 100% foolproof. There is absolutely no risk of burning their eyes or airway, as you can do with gassing them.

[marisa]

Linds is correct. The oxygen is simply used up. There is no choking, or gagging or anything like that....It's the same exact thing as making a chamber.

With one simple litter of pinkies, there is no reason to set up a c02 thing. I would simply put them in a tiny tupperware or other air tight container, small as possible like Linds mentioned.

Marisa

[bailey]

What kind of container to use? Some kind of rubbermaid food storage bowls? I have some of the tupperware with the little tab you have to put to open. Is that air tight?

[Linds]

Those should do fine. I usually use deli cups for small rodents.

[Ontario_herper]

I'd rather be swiftly bashed over the head, than slowly lose my air supply. Everyone's different I guess though....

[TheMan]

Well I don't know about that Ontario. Sometimes the first "bash" doesn't always kill them. I also used the airtight container method when I was feeding my BP's p/k. They just become less active and seem to fall asleep. Never seen signs of them choking or gagging.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

LINDZE:

Not sure if your feeding the little guys off but if not and plan the freezer for them, we are in the winter now and we both have our freezer weather outside. Bag them and let them sit in a snow bank, it does the job so fast and freezer ready after.

If not freezing them consider the CO2 thing.

Tony

[ssshell]

i personally would put them in an small air tight container and let the suffocate or i would do what boas n pythons said about freezing!

[concept3]

im with ontario here / One quick swift bash to the head

[Lindze]

wow ive already done in two litters of rats since i started the post. lol ive been using the dry ice method and its working great.
Like i said before, i couldnt bash them over the head, i have a weak spot.

Yea Tony it sure has been a freezer out side, my poor dogs only want to be out there for a minute then they want back in, poor things.

[Ontario_herper]

All I'm saying is that I'd rather be knocked in the back of the head without knowing that anything is going to happen than squirm around in some container. Even if you don't "feel" any pain from being in this container you still know that you are gradually no longer going to be able to breath. To me this would be a crappy way to go.

It doesn't take much effort to knock a mouse out for the count (so to speak). Surely with any amount of effort a 190lb person can dispatch of a mouse. It just doesn't take that much force.

[Mark]

The only time wacking is not the greatest is if you can't do it (I can't) or you are doing a large amout of feeders. I perfer Co2 and I rent a 20lbs cylinder to gas rats with. I find it much cheaper and easier then other methods.

[VI Reptiles]

once I couldnt get some feeders from a petstore so i just bought live, put them in the freezer and they died eventually.


Thanks

[HeatherRose]

I think she's looking for a more humane way of euthanasia. Generally freezing is regarded as cruel, as ice crystals form in the blood and organs, ripping them to shreds...