Storing mice in freezer and how long do they last?

[Sasha2]

Ive stored up quite a few mice(from tiny pinks to adults), and am still breeding so more to come.Im just curious how long will they last? They're in ziploc bags.
If I were to get one of those vacumn sealers would it help them last longer or would it make that much of a difference?

Should I be dating and cycling them as I put them in the freezer? Im going to be adding another colony of mice in spring, so will have even more mice to freeze.Ive realized Ive just been stuffing them all in without much of a plan so need to get more organized.

[Lankyrob]

I would definitely cycle them so that oyu are using the "oldest" first when feeding them off. I only ever buy a months worth at a time (so that i HAVE to visit the reptile shop :)) so cant tell you how long they last.

[Jacob1750]

As long as you keep them sealed and dont let them get freezer burnt they should be okay. I wouldn't thaw one and then refreeze it though.

[Gungirl]

I treat my snake food like I treat my food. If you want to build up a large stock of frozen feeders I would invest in a Vacuum sealer. I think 2-3 months in a regular zip lock bag with as much of the air pushed out as you can would be ok as long as you are not always opening and shutting the bag. I portion out my snakes food by the month so that I only have 1 bag I open 3-4 times then all that food is gone.

[shaunyboy]

i buy 2 to 3 months food at a time,as prey can start to show freezer burns after 4 or 5 months

i have no idea if vacum packing them would help them last longer (interesting question mate)

cheers shaun

[jarich]

Vacuum packing will help, but everyone else here is right in saying that you dont want to go any longer than about 2-3 months. The fats in meat will start to break down slowly and after 3 months can actually start to get rancid. The vitamin content is actually changed over time as well, strangely enough. Also, the ice crystals that are created in the freezing process start to migrate towards the outside of the animal and will generally start to degrade the quality. So definitely label and rotate so that you are feeding the oldest first.

[snakehill]

Does any one know where to purchase mice pinks on line where you don't have to pay $40-$50 for shipping??? (I'm sure I'm asking in the wrong thread! Bad habit of mine!!!) :o

[youngster]

Does any one know where to purchase mice pinks on line where you don't have to pay $40-$50 for shipping??? (I'm sure I'm asking in the wrong thread! Bad habit of mine!!!) :o

It's hard to find good shipping online since many need next day air and dry ice in order for it to not thaw.
Best bet would be an expo or local breeder unfortunately.

[Gungirl]

Does any one know where to purchase mice pinks on line where you don't have to pay $40-$50 for shipping??? (I'm sure I'm asking in the wrong thread! Bad habit of mine!!!) :o

Your best bet is to find a local breeder. I know a few in RI and Ma, let me find there contact info and I will pm you once I do.

[snakehill]

Thanks Kat! Appreciate that!! :)

[Sasha2]

Thanks all.I made the mistake of making a large order from rodentpro then started breeding my own mice.I didnt realize how great mice breed, Ive only ever had rats.Mice are insane, they have constant litters, even with the cold weather.I just wish all my snakes took mice only. unfortunately 3 to 4 mnths is not long, guess I will invest in a vacumn sealer.I was hoping that I could get 6 mnths out of the frozen feeders.

[Gungirl]

With a Vacuum sealer you can store frozen meats for 6-8 months as long as they are in a deep freezer. If you put them in your every day freezer 6 months is pushing it. The real problem is how often the freezer is opened to allow warm air in.

[Sasha2]

Really, that helps alot.I have a deep freezer but the mice are in my regular freezer.I will move them to the other one then too.I have to clean it out first.I dont even know half whats in that one.

[Gungirl]

I keep 1 month supply in my normal freezer and only open the deep freeze once a month. I think it helps keep everything in better shape and last a little bit longer.

[KORBIN5895]

I just got a vacuum sealer last night off of kijiji.

[Sasha2]

I wish I could just buy by the month but we are rural and the only petshop is an hour away and they are very unreliable as far as having the right size feeders.
I never thought of checking craigslist or kijiji for a sealer.Good idea, thanks

[mykee]

Vacuum sealed rodents will last a year in the freezer, non vacuum sealed rodents will be junk in less than six months.

[Sasha2]

Well then I guess I better get a vacumn sealer.I wish I had asked santa for one.

[Corey Woods]

No Hair = 6 months
Hair = 1 year

Corey

[shaunyboy]

Vacuum sealed rodents will last a year in the freezer, non vacuum sealed rodents will be junk in less than six months.


cheers for the info mykee,with my new found knowledge i'll be able to order larger quantitys of prey at a reduced cost

all for the price of a vacum packing machine,i'm sure they are quite inexpensive pieces of equiptment ?

normally i get 3 to 4 months prey supplied at a time,i'm thinking with vacum packing i could order 9 months prey at a time,getting a good discount for the larger order

all that and you didn't growl once in your post.....:shocked::shocked::shocked:

it must be xmas ;)

all the best for the newyear mate

cheers shaun

[ladyjustice33]

I order all my frozen rodents from Bushill rodents. Always good quality and they do ship!

[Gungirl]

cheers for the info mykee,with my new found knowledge i'll be able to order larger quantitys of prey at a reduced cost

all for the price of a vacum packing machine,i'm sure they are quite inexpensive pieces of equiptment ?

normally i get 3 to 4 months prey supplied at a time,i'm thinking with vacum packing i could order 9 months prey at a time,getting a good discount for the larger order

all that and you didn't growl once in your post.....:shocked::shocked::shocked:

it must be xmas ;)

all the best for the newyear mate

cheers shaun

You can get a vacuum food sealer from $40-$800 and Im sure more. I spent $140ish on mine a few years ago and It was GREAT! Although I broke it... they don't do well when you are moving and run them over with a truck..:hmm:

[millertime89]

they don't do well when you are moving and run them over with a truck..:hmm:

lol, yeah I imagine not...

[AaronRiot]

Hey guys, I watched a cooking show the other day where the guy.. forget his name but the iron chef commentator.. was explaining the best way to freeze meats.

Cellophane wrap them individually (or in the lot size you will be thawing) and make sure to keep all the air pockets out. Then bag 'em in freezer bags. Try to get all the air out of the bag as well...a straw really helps with this. Next, cool them down in the fridge for a few hours. Finally, into the freezer, the colder the better.

Removing the air is key because it leeches moisture from the meat, drying it out. The moisture that was once in the meat then builds up on the outside. This is freezer burn. That's why fur would decrease shelf life (I assume) because fur holds air. Last part there was just me connecting dots.

From what the food guy was saying, cooling down in the fridge first is key because it will allow the item to freeze more uniformly and quickly...also locking in moisture.

Vacuum sealing is great... I know Costco sells a decent one and the plastic in moderately large portions, although I don't own one myself to vouch for quality..yet.

Shaunyboy - not sure if you'd be v. sealing fresh or already frozen.. if it's already frozen I would do some research to see if it's a worthwhile investment.