Frosted rats

[Nate]

I went to pull some of my older frozen food out of another freezer only to find that they weren't sealed as well as the rest, and some of the rats have a pretty decent amount of ice on them. I don't think it's safe to feed my snakes...is there any other alternative to just throwing them out?

[lord jackel]

Nope...dumb them. Freezer burn can be dangerous as the moisture that allowed it to happen can harbor bacteria that will grow almost immediately upon being thawed...and most of the meat will be worthless from a food value point of view.

[Reediculous]

how can you prevent freezer burn?

[lord jackel]

how can you prevent freezer burn?

This goes for any meat...but freezer burn is caused by excess moisture. This moisture usually comes from the meat itself (but can also come from ambient air in the storage bag). So the best way to avoid it is to vacuum seal all your meat to remove all excess moisture. Once opened you should use good freezer zip lock bags and burp them (you can use your mouth to suck the air out).

You should package all meat in single serving packages - when you pull only a few mice out of a larger bag you have more air and have allowed the remaining mice to thaw somewhat (even slightly can lead to freezer burn). package your feeders by serving size (so if you need 5 per week put 5 in a single bag)

Other ways to get freezer burn is to allow your food to slightly thaw (thawing pulls the moisture out of the meat) so opening the freezer door for too long, too much excess air in the freezer or bag all can lead to freezer burn. Open and shut the door quickly.

Hope this helps.

[WingedWolfPsion]

There is no evidence to suggest that freezer burn is dangerous, but it can alter the flavor of food (or a rat, presumeably). I'd thaw the rats quickly in warm water, and see if the snakes will still accept them. They are safe to eat, as long as they haven't been in the freezer for longer than 6 months.

You have to vaccuum seal food in order to prevent freezer burn entirely. Freezer burn occurs when water from inside the food migrates to the outside, dehydrating it and often forming ice crystals on the outside as it freezes. This is what alters the flavor.

Water on the outside of a prey item usually occurs when you use warm water to thaw it out--I've had plastic bags leak often. But a rat only takes maybe 30 or 40 minutes to completely thaw, so there isn't enough time for a dangerous level of bacteria to grow.

[lord jackel]

There is no evidence to suggest that freezer burn is dangerous, .

So you are saying that the water that causes freezer burn cannot contain bacteria that might be dangerous? (since this is my point about being dangerous). Since the water can only move out of the meat if it is partially thawed I am not sure how you can make your statement?

[rabernet]

There is no evidence to suggest that freezer burn is dangerous, but it can alter the flavor of food (or a rat, presumeably). I'd thaw the rats quickly in warm water, and see if the snakes will still accept them. They are safe to eat, as long as they haven't been in the freezer for longer than 6 months.

You're seriously suggesting that someone go ahead and feed freezer burned prey to their snakes? Wow!

[WingedWolfPsion]

The moisture that migrates out of food during freezer burn contains no more bacteria than the moisture that remains in frozen food that isn't freezer burned.

And yes, if the snakes will accept them, the freezer-burned food is perfectly safe. That goes for people food, too. It's safe to eat. Look it up if you don't believe me, lol

[mlededee]

So the best way to avoid it is to vacuum seal all your meat to remove all excess moisture. Once opened you should use good freezer zip lock bags and burp them (you can use your mouth to suck the air out).

my mom puts a straw into a ziplock bag with food in it, closes the bag around the straw, sucks the air out and then quickly pulls out the straw and snaps the hole closed. i gotta tell you though--i just can't see myself doing that with a bag of rats...

[lord jackel]

The moisture that migrates out of food during freezer burn contains no more bacteria than the moisture that remains in frozen food that isn't freezer burned.

I disagree with this...it migrated out due to it being thawed (not frozen any longer) by increasing its temp naturally more bacteria would form (grow). Then add 30+ minutes of room temp thaw time and you have the potential for a bacterial issue. Since you don't know what the rodent was exposed to or carrying you don't know what bacteria was frozen with the animal...why would you advocate this risk just save a buck?