How do you know when frozens go bad?

[blackcrystal22]

So? How do you know when frozen rats and mice go bad?
Smells? Visuals?

Thanks!

[Beardedragon]

I had a pack of f/t for awhile, i only had one snake and it was a pack of 18 so it was lasting a while. Once I got down to the last three they all looked dried out. I think when the time comes, you will know. Maybe someone else will chime in and tell us the month limit( three or six months maybe?)

[blackcrystal22]

Cause I've only had mine a few months.. maybe more than 3 though.
I was thawing out a white hopper today and it looked as if it had white spots on its body? I donno it was weird, but it looked like air pockets under the skin..
They've always kinda smelled bad though.

[Beardedragon]

Cause I've only had mine a few months.. maybe more than 3 though.
I was thawing out a white hopper today and it looked as if it had white spots on its body? I donno it was weird, but it looked like air pockets under the skin..
They've always kinda smelled bad though.

The spots could be freezer burn?

[blackcrystal22]

The spots could be freezer burn?

I'm not sure? Would that be a bad thing?

[ptate]

Frozen rodents are good for about a year after the initial freeze date only if it is an unopened and sealed bag. Bags that have been opened several times should be fine for about 6 months.
Hope this answers your question.

[Argentra]

It all depends on how they are sealed.

If in a ziplock, they won't last long at all. But vacuum packed lasts about a year. Having a vacuum sealer is the best purchase I've made recently.

Frozen rodents aren't supposed to smell except cold. Once they start to have a strong smell (unless theres excrement on them from before, of course) they're probably going bad. This happens more often in cheaply packed pet store FT feeders or in rodents that were repacked without vacuum seal.

That's my experience anyway

[cassandra]

The spots could be freezer burn?

Didn't the Barker book say something about freezer burn being no big deal? Anyone remember that section or got their book handy?

Anywho, the Barker book does talk about longevity, etc. of frozen feeders...

[stangs13]

Yupp thats freezer burn! Like cass said, no ill effects!

[Jenn]

They taste funny!