Frozen Thawed Questions

[TalonNC]

I've been feeding my BP live ever since i got him...I've been contemplating switching him over to frozen thawed. After his last shed i went to Petsmart "thinking" they had bags of frozen thawed rats for reason price...i was WRONG

$12 for 1 medium rat :Wow:

not gonna happen on my budget so i brought home a live feeder as usually but for the first time ever..he refused...i figured he be hungry after shed...but he has refused food for 5 weeks now. So i figured this would be the best time to transition over...

my questions

Where can i get affordable frozen thawed rats? online?
How are they shipped?
what is a reasonable price? as $12 was 3x more then what i pay for live.

[dinosaurdammit]

have you tried killing the rat before you give it to him?

[Aaron_S]

Rodentpro
mice4you ( i think that's the name)
feeders4you

[Platinumxero]

Hmm... Might I suggest just continuing to buy live prey and killing them yourself? I mean if you are up to it of course. It would be the same as feeding f/t but it would be fresher instead of frozen, or you could kill then freeze. There are even threads in this forum that explain how to quickly kill live rodents.

[Aaron_S]

Why does everyone suggest to kill rodents? Are you all that sadistic?

This person clearly wants f/t for the ease of use and the ability to buy in bulk. Why not just answer the questions proposed instead of trying to impress your own personal preferences.

[snakekid6996]

I use to buy medium&small rats from local pet stores for about 6-10$ a piece until I found out there is a local reptile expo held here every month. I went and they sell medium rats for 3$ a piece and small for 2$ a piece :).. Now I just buy enough from the pet expo to last until the next one and I spend half as much on snake food as I use to..

[dinosaurdammit]

Why does everyone suggest to kill rodents? Are you all that sadistic?

This person clearly wants f/t for the ease of use and the ability to buy in bulk. Why not just answer the questions proposed instead of trying to impress your own personal preferences.

because from what I understood he bought a live rat and the snake refused it... Maybe the snake was afraid of a live rat, there isnt much in the OP to go on

[GentileScribe]

The prices for frozen rodents varies by age of rodent obviously. I think the frozen route is cheaper for the pinkies and fuzzies. For my baby corn, those are more reasonable...and more easily obtained. When the price of a live is cheaper than the price of a frozen, I think I will be going to live and killing them or at least stunning them for my snake. Just how I would go anyway. If a snake is started out on pre-killed prey, I think it is easier to stick to that.

[rmfsnakes32]

Rodentpro , laynelabs are a few

[Ms. Medusa]

I've been feeding my BP live ever since i got him...I've been contemplating switching him over to frozen thawed. After his last shed i went to Petsmart "thinking" they had bags of frozen thawed rats for reason price...i was WRONG

$12 for 1 medium rat :Wow:

not gonna happen on my budget so i brought home a live feeder as usually but for the first time ever..he refused...i figured he be hungry after shed...but he has refused food for 5 weeks now. So i figured this would be the best time to transition over...

my questions

Where can i get affordable frozen thawed rats? online?
How are they shipped?
what is a reasonable price? as $12 was 3x more then what i pay for live.


Hey Talon,

There are a number of rodent feeder sites available. One of the biggest is Rodent Pro, depending on what side of the US you are on, you may want to do a search for them---


Layne Laboratories on the West Coast is very good...

American Rodent (Americanrodent.com) is who I have used up until recently when I found a local supplier- mainly because they have free shipping to my area if I order more than $100...

I'd ask around and try one or two. Some of them have handy price check capability so you can figure out which is most economical for you.

PetCo and PetSmart are way over priced and I have no clue what the quality is on their feeders.

Best of Luck!

[Aaron_S]

because from what I understood he bought a live rat and the snake refused it... Maybe the snake was afraid of a live rat, there isnt much in the OP to go on

He never cared about that issue because he never asked any questions about it.

[bcr226]

Hey Talon,

There are a number of rodent feeder sites available. One of the biggest is Rodent Pro, depending on what side of the US you are on, you may want to do a search for them---


Layne Laboratories on the West Coast is very good...

American Rodent (Americanrodent.com) is who I have used up until recently when I found a local supplier- mainly because they have free shipping to my area if I order more than $100...

I'd ask around and try one or two. Some of them have handy price check capability so you can figure out which is most economical for you.

PetCo and PetSmart are way over priced and I have no clue what the quality is on their feeders.

Best of Luck!

Petco and Petsmart are way over priced for what they offer. I stopped going there for f/t. I have two pythons that refuse f/t food so I'm stuck with live. I've gotten pretty good at stunning rats for them. I don't want to feed them live and coherent rats due to the potential danger issues.

I get my f/t for my other snakes through a local herp guy that helps me out. With 7 snakes,we're running less than $14 a week to feed.

[Aaron_S]

Petco and Petsmart are way over priced for what they offer. I stopped going there for f/t. I have two pythons that refuse f/t food so I'm stuck with live. I've gotten pretty good at stunning rats for them. I don't want to feed them live and coherent rats due to the potential danger issues.

I get my f/t for my other snakes through a local herp guy that helps me out. With 7 snakes,we're running less than $14 a week to feed.

That's inhumane to stun the rats in my opinion.

Either toss it in live and supervise OR fully kill the animal. You're borderline torturing. Next step is you'll probably remove the teeth and nails before tossing them in.

[BoaFanatic]

Where can i get affordable frozen thawed rats? online?


Talon, I and many of my buddies use RodentPro for frozen rodents/ various other feeders. They have good service and aren't that expensive, Try getting together with some of your buddies to make a multiple order and save on shipping. I'd like to say I've been very happy with this vendor in the past, and have had no ill experiences so far.

Why does everyone suggest to kill rodents? Are you all that sadistic?

This person clearly wants f/t for the ease of use and the ability to buy in bulk. Why not just answer the questions proposed instead of trying to impress your own personal preferences.

Aaron, I'm not going to get into an argument with you here.
In the past when I have been in a pinch/didn't have money to order a bulk shipment of rats, I would go to the local pet store, buy some feeder rats/mice and kill them myself. It's as simple as grabbing them by the rear end and hitting their head on a hard surface. It's over in a second and the animal doesn't suffer. It's in no way sadistic, it's just practical for the situation.

[Aaron_S]

Talon, I and many of my buddies use RodentPro for frozen rodents/ various other feeders. They have good service and aren't that expensive, Try getting together with some of your buddies to make a multiple order and save on shipping. I'd like to say I've been very happy with this vendor in the past, and have had no ill experiences so far.



Aaron, I'm not going to get into an argument with you here.
In the past when I have been in a pinch/didn't have money to order a bulk shipment of rats, I would go to the local pet store, buy some feeder rats/mice and kill them myself. It's as simple as grabbing them by the rear end and hitting their head on a hard surface. It's over in a second and the animal doesn't suffer. It's in no way sadistic, it's just practical for the situation.


You're lack of planning and foresight isn't the issue here.

This person clearly is thinking farther ahead and thus no reason to offer up options not asked for in this case.

[BoaFanatic]

You're lack of planning and foresight isn't the issue here.

This person clearly is thinking farther ahead and thus no reason to offer up options not asked for in this case.

Oh, I didn't realize that ordering a box of rats for $60 was a plan necessary for snakes. You know life happens regardless of foresight. I know that isn't the issue the OP asked about. I replied specifically to you and your narrow minded comments regarding the "sadistic" killing of rats to be used for snake food. This is an open forum and there are no stipulations saying that we can't answer the original question AND offer alternative suggestions. Please use some common sense when creating posts. If you have nothing helpful to post just refrain from doing so, because quite frankly you come off as arrogant and uninformed when making statements like those above.

[Aaron_S]

Oh, I didn't realize that ordering a box of rats for $60 was a plan necessary for snakes. You know life happens regardless of foresight. I know that isn't the issue the OP asked about. I replied specifically to you and your narrow minded comments regarding the "sadistic" killing of rats to be used for snake food. This is an open forum and there are no stipulations saying that we can't answer the original question AND offer alternative suggestions. Please use some common sense when creating posts. If you have nothing helpful to post just refrain from doing so, because quite frankly you come off as arrogant and uninformed when making statements like those above.

It's okay child.

Not everyone can apparently think to check to see how many rodents I have in the freezer every once in awhile.

My comments aren't narrow minded. I think people should refrain from pre-killing rodents for no reason. I think it's gross when there's plenty of other options viable and don't wish to see it promoted when clearly the original poster wanted away from live rodents as much as possible.

[BoaFanatic]

It's okay child.

Not everyone can apparently think to check to see how many rodents I have in the freezer every once in awhile.

My comments aren't narrow minded. I think people should refrain from pre-killing rodents for no reason. I think it's gross when there's plenty of other options viable and don't wish to see it promoted when clearly the original poster wanted away from live rodents as much as possible.

If you say so man.
Culling food items is a practice that has been used for ages, I guess now everyone prefers someone else to do it. If you think it's gross that's on you. As for myself, if I need some frozen rodents and want them fast and conveniently, I will continue to cull them and freeze them myself. Likewise if the OP of this thread finds himself in the same situation my suggestion still stands. If you want to label those of us that do practice culling as sadistic so be it, just don't do it without expecting retaliation.

If you wish to continue this discussion, Pm me.

[Ms. Medusa]

I'm going to be honest here, Aaron---


I get that you have your opinions, and have the right to express them as well...however as a new member like BoaFanatic-- I don't believe that it is really very nice on your part to be so condescending towards others. As a senior member of this community, I would expect you to be a bit more of an example to others--- really.

The use of 'child' and commenting on 'lack of foresight and planning' is just really uncalled for and I believe in any forum with the number of people as members and the high level of activity--- this type of behavior should be curtailed somehow.

Now---maybe I'm wrong and you're just off the chain spectacular and fun-- but right now you strike me as a far cry from helpful in this situation.

[blindfireak40]

OP--Also check around for local pet stores. Don't be afraid to ask for referrals, either. I have a pet shop I love frequenting because of the people and the animals, but they don't sell frozen food yet. However, they referred me to another shop that breeds, euthanizes, and freezes in-house, and they have frozen rats for I believe a buck a pop, with bulk discounts. Definitely more cost-effective than the rat pancakes that often come in the Arctic Mouse boxes. Just make sure to use common sense and take a good look at the living colony, if they'll letcha. If they don't let you, it may be wiser to go elsewhere.

[Aaron_S]

If you say so man.
Culling food items is a practice that has been used for ages, I guess now everyone prefers someone else to do it. If you think it's gross that's on you. As for myself, if I need some frozen rodents and want them fast and conveniently, I will continue to cull them and freeze them myself. Likewise if the OP of this thread finds himself in the same situation my suggestion still stands. If you want to label those of us that do practice culling as sadistic so be it, just don't do it without expecting retaliation.

If you wish to continue this discussion, Pm me.

Oh don't get me wrong. I've bred my own rodents for my snakes. I had no problems culling them as needed. So don't think it's because I need someone else to take care of things for me.

I just find it borderline sadistic to encourage it for someone who clearly had no interest in it.

[Aaron_S]

I'm going to be honest here, Aaron---


I get that you have your opinions, and have the right to express them as well...however as a new member like BoaFanatic-- I don't believe that it is really very nice on your part to be so condescending towards others. As a senior member of this community, I would expect you to be a bit more of an example to others--- really.

The use of 'child' and commenting on 'lack of foresight and planning' is just really uncalled for and I believe in any forum with the number of people as members and the high level of activity--- this type of behavior should be curtailed somehow.

Now---maybe I'm wrong and you're just off the chain spectacular and fun-- but right now you strike me as a far cry from helpful in this situation.

You can be honest all you like but I calls them as I sees them. If someone doesn't have foresight I'll say so.

I'm also incredibly helpful to a lot of people and barrels of fun. Some people will disagree but those people generally never look for my helpful posts.

If you want to talk about the forum as a whole it's sad that I answer simple questions for newbies with species that I no longer keep because no one else has with this "active forum".

[BoaFanatic]

Oh don't get me wrong. I've bred my own rodents for my snakes. I had no problems culling them as needed. So don't think it's because I need someone else to take care of things for me.

I just find it borderline sadistic to encourage it for someone who clearly had no interest in it.

The OP of this thread has not expressed any preferance in regards to the culling of live rodents before feeding. In fact he hasn't commented since starting this thread.

You are very knowledgeable in the realm of snake keeping and I respect that, the reply you supplied to my thread was in fact helpful but throwing in blanket statements without atleast stating the common courtesy of "in my opinion" makes you come off as a little arrogant. That's just my opinion.

[Aaron_S]

The OP of this thread has not expressed any preferance in regards to the culling of live rodents before feeding. In fact he hasn't commented since starting this thread.

You are very knowledgeable in the realm of snake keeping and I respect that, the reply you supplied to my thread was in fact helpful but throwing in blanket statements without atleast stating the common courtesy of "in my opinion" makes you come off as a little arrogant. That's just my opinion.

You're not the first to say it! :D

Anyway...we'll stop this now as I'm bored of going round in circles on this topic.

Glad you found my post informative.