First Mistake? 50 Pack of Frozen Feeder Mice

[skiajl6297]

Please forgive the novice question as I am completely new to this.

I bought a 50 pack of feeder mice for my soon to be delivered snake, assuming I would be covered for the better part of a year! Excellent experience with Perfect Prey, product was delivered quickly and appears to be quality, excellent packaging, etc.

However - I didn't think to see how the product is packaged! All 50 mice are in a single vaccuum sealed bag, versus individually packaged. I will only have one snake. How do I thaw and use one at a time? Is it even possible? I haven't opened the bag yet, but do you think the individuals will just slip out or are they frozen solid together in an ice brick of fur?

I am sure I should have done more homework before buying, but can anyone answer this? Thanks all!

[embrit345]

They should just separate relatively easily Hun xx I purchase mine in bulk and they come packaged together xx


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[zina10]

They separate easily.

To keep them "fresh" longer, I would have a vacuum machine ready (or double bag in ziplock bags) and re-package them into 10 5-piece packages.
This way, when you open a package, those 5 will stay fresh while you open and re-close the ziplock a few times until they are fed off. And the others will be un-disturbed in their packaging until you get ready to open the next one.

edited to say: while you re-package, keep them in the freezer !!! Only pull out the 5, re-package, put back into freezer, pull out the next 5...and so on. You want to keep them frozen solid while working on this.

[skiajl6297]

Whew! Thank you both!

This makes perfect sense - I was getting ready to start a giveaway poll for those members with roughly 49+ snakes!

I envisioned trying to break apart frozen chicken breasts and it was not a pretty thought for those poor mice.

[Lizardlicks]

Fragile bits like tails and paws can sometimes snap off if you aren't careful, but for the most part they don't stick together.

[EL-Ziggy]

What kind of snake are you getting and how large is it? I only ask because young snakes grow pretty fast and will outgrow their prey sizes quickly.

[skiajl6297]

Roughly 150g Ball. I figure if she outgrows size quickly I'll just feed her two instead of one. Or feed her slightly more often!


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[Eric Alan]

Roughly 150g Ball. I figure if she outgrows size quickly I'll just feed her two instead of one. Or feed her slightly more often!

The biggest mouse Perfect Prey sells in packs of 50 is the Hopper size, which she's outgrown already at 150 grams. Hopefully you didn't order any smaller than that! You'll definitely be doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling up those mice sooner rather than later.

Here's a good guideline on what size feeder items are recommended as your girl grows: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ing-Guidelines.

Good luck!

[skiajl6297]

I did get hopper size! Perhaps she will be spoiled by double feedings! If it gets to be too much or she doesn't like double or triple feedings I will definitely order up in smaller quantities and just cut my losses.

Related question - how "old" roughly is a female at roughly 150g? And how big (roughly) is a well fed female at roughly 1, 2, 3 years old? I probably overdid it on a young snake enclosure when she is just going to pork out and need a new enclosure before I know it. (Excuse to get another youngin to fill the small cage?

I should dial back the enthusiasm though, I don't even have a day of snake ownership under my belt.

[Slither Seeker]

keep a look out on CL or your local gift everything for one of the older food savers and dedicate it to rodents, they really help keep the food fresh, like 5 times longer, your snake will thank you!