What is a Good Way to Store F/T Rodents?

I euthanized some rats with he baking soda and vinegar method (switching to raw Co2 soon) and the rodents got a little messy so I washed them off, dryed them off as best as I could, and stuck them all in a bag and froze them. I wanted to get 1 rat to feed to my adult king so I went to get one. They were all frozen solid and stuck together. In order to get them off I had to run them under hot water, almost re thawing them in the process, but not completely.

Now I just put 3 rodents to each bag (I have 4 bags, 3 rodents in each) so it would be easier next time. Should I just induvidually package them so I don't have to do this again? I know I broke a rib and a leg or 2 in the process of prying them apart. NOT a pleasant experience.

Any suggestions?

I store all my rodents in 1 gallon freezer bags layed out side by side.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/100_3983.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/100_3984.jpg

The way they are stored in the above pictures is exactly how the ones I purchase from a breeder come. They come apart perfectly fine, none have ever stuck together.

How are they never suck together? Maybe its because they weren't wet when they put them in there. Mine weren't soaked, but they were moist. I'm goin got be using the dry ice method next time, that way the rodents won't be all wet.

I've never had this problem either with packages of frozen rodents. Is it possible that they weren't completely dry when you froze them? And as a result all stuck together and froze into a solid block?

Them being even slightly damp would definitely make them stick together. :oops:
Lesson learned the hard way? Lol

They typically dont get wet with co2, so you can freeze them with no problem

Place them on a tray in the freezer not touching eachother. When they're almost frozen place them in bags side by side. Works perfect.

I'm not sure the quantity of rats you are using. For large quantities go with the gallon bags. You shouldn't have any problems if you are using CO2. For just a few small to medium rats I have used the half sized "snack" baggies or for slightly larger rats breast milk storage bags my wife had left over from our last child.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kymberli

Them being even slightly damp would definitely make them stick together. :oops:
Lesson learned the hard way? Lol

---

Guess so :/