Effects of old mice on snake health.

[mr. s]

Recently I have had the feeling that my frozen mice are reaching their expiration date. This got me wondering.

What is the effect on snakes that feed on mice that have "gone bad" so to speak? Either just once or prolonged feeding? (No, I am not considering feeding them rotten mice for a year, just wondering).

Generally, what is the recommended shelf life of frozen mice?

[chrispouliot55]

well in theory they should last forever if kept frozen? right. i mean idk for sure. i only buy 12 rats at a time and feed once a week. but if they only last for a certain amount of time i would like to know

[iCandiBallPythons]

I generally don't go over 6 months.

[boasandballs]

They don't go bad per say. They are just not so fresh.

It is like having a fresh steak from the store. Good not frozen, not so bad frozen and thawed out in a week. If kept frozen a year, tasts, well bad.

The rule I use, 3 months in a refergerator/freezer
Big freezer 6-9 months 0 degrees or -10

If you can get them vacumed packed then it is better. I had some once that the legs and tails freezor burned. Those I pitched out.

[shelliebear]

**Edit by JLC**

Let's not reward spammers by quoting their posts and then making extra work for the staff to clean up.

[shelliebear]

I generally don't thaw out more than twice or let sit in the freezer for more than 6 months.

[pythown]

Freezer burnt meat never killed me, but it's not terribly appetizing. I'd probably try and keep things under a few months for ziplocks. I suppose things in good sealed containers should stay good indefinitely, though.