Feeder Heating

[Jay_Bunny]

If I begin to produce my own feeders I'm torn between keeping the snakes on f/t or switch them to live, but in the case I keep them on f/t I need a better way to thaw the rodents. And since the snakes keep trying to strike at me instead of the feeders, I also need to start heating the feeders up (I currently feed them at room temperature). So I was wondering if a set up like this would work....

I would have a flat surface (like the top of my incubator or a table) and I would rig up a heat lamp (the infared ones) and just lay the rodents under it on a towel. They would thaw quicker and heat up easier than thawing to room temperature and then using a blow dryer but I'm worried about the heat lamp cooking them. I wouldn't have the heat lamp right on top of them but it would be close enough to help thaw them.

[Kaorte]

I thaw my rodents on a strip of flexwatt running at the same temp as the bp's hot spot (maybe a bit more since I sit them right on the flexwatt). Takes about 3-4 hours to completely thaw them but when I offer them they are already nice and warm.

[Jay_Bunny]

Thanks! I might be switching them back over to live though. Its far easier for me, especially if I am going to be breeding my own feeders. I guess we will see how it goes. If I do set this up I will definitely be taking pictures and how well it works. The flexwatt is a good idea too. Thanks for the idea!

[MitsuMike]

I thaw in hot water for about 20 min and then lay the feeders on a paper towel under a heat lamp (about 6 inches away from them). About 10 min on each side and then as a last blast before I give them to the snakes. I cover the feeder, who is about to get fed, completely with the lamp (lamp on floor over the feeder) and heat for 10 sec on each side then 10 more sec on just the head. I only have 3 snakes now (waiting on the 4th) but if norm takes me around 45 min to feed.

[2kdime]

Right before you feed each one off....

Hit their heads with a blow dryer for 10 seconds or so

Works for me every week on every animal

[RWD]

I put them in a plastic bag, then in an empty rack slot that I have. I thaw 4 to 5 rats at a time and it works great. Just take the rats out and "prime" your snakes buy letting smell them for a while.