Packaging rats with a Foodsaver

[chapskis1]

I have seen on here in the past few months that many people use a foodsaver vacuum system to package their frozen rats. I was able to borrow a foodsaver from a friend, and am planning on packaging a shipment of rats that will be coming this week.

I've asked people before, and they say rats last in the freezer for about 6 months. When they are saying this, are they talking about standard packaging, because it says in the foodsaver manual that most sealed items can last for 2-3 years. Is it possible that a rat sealed with a foodsaver would be good after 2 years? If that is the case, I guess I should have ordered more than a 6 month supply.

Thanks for any help...

George

[twh]

several online suppliers of frozen rodents have told me that vacuum sealed rodents kept at 0 degrees or colder should last at least two years.once the seal is broken of coarse there shelf life is greatly diminished.have fun!

[frankykeno]

If the package was properly sealed in the correct freezer bags for the foodsaver and never opened then perhaps but realistically I'd go with 1 year for rodents that are fully furred, 6 months for rodents that are pinks. That depends though on proper resealing everytime the package is opened. I'd also recommend you get some disposable cookie sheets and lay out the rodents first to start to freeze them before packing them into the foodsaver bags. That way once they fully freeze they won't stick together and you can easily remove one at a time. Don't forget to label the bags.

[chapskis1]

Actually, I am going to indivudaully weigh and package each rat (nice single serving packages )

Thanks for all of the pointers -- I think this should work out pretty slick. I think next time I might put in an order for a year's supply (as long as I can estimate the correct sizes to get for that long of a period).

Thanks,

George

[Fallguy]

I have used the Foodsaver, and love it for freezing rats. I also partially froze them before sealing them individually. One piece of advice... If you are making the bags from a roll, make them oversize. Do not try so skimp. The fur can get caught in the seal, and it will not keep as well. The freezer smell will also get to the rat.

[littleindiangirl]

Single servings, I would think, keep better for longer because you are not taking out a large bag every week, and letting it defrost just a little bit while you get the rats you need out of it. Just grab one pack and there ya go!