Need advice on humanely euthanizing rat pups.

So I have some rat pups that are now the proper size for euthanizing for a couple snakes. I was told before that pink mice and rats are resistant to asphyxiation, and that they will actually die faster and more humanely if put directly into the freezer. I have not done this yet, because while it certainly takes a heck of a long time for live pinks to suffocate compared to an adult, and this seems to be true, I didn't want to be wrong and be inhumane.

So.. questions... is it better to freeze newborn rat pups, or use the C02 chamber? How about as they get older? IF freezing is better for newborns, at what age does C02 become more effective/humane (disregard if freezing is a no-no)?

I do have a C02 chamber that has worked nicely for weanling pups up to adults, but I haven't had to use it on anything younger until now.

Thanks for the help guys.

IF you have a paintball gun co2 tank use that. Have to get a remote for it to have on.off feature.

Or you can get dry ice. Take the dry ice stick it in a continer with holes into a large tub. Toss in rats and let them sit in there. If their not dieing fast enough, toss some warm water on the dry ice..

I just gassed 40 sm rats this morning.
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/s...2/100_3337.jpg

It does take longer to euthanize pinks with co2 as they use much less oxygen to survive but I have personally placed pinks in the freezer and still witnessed movement 2 hours later!!! I would imagine that's a pretty horrible way to go. Just my opinion though. Good luck:)

Theres rat pinks and rat pups. 2 different sizes as rat pups are about 2 weeks old and will gas no problems.

Pinks i perosnally put in freezer as is and are usually frozen in 3 mins since i keep deep freezer -20F

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm guessing since the ones I need to do today are closer to fuzzies, it will be better with C02 regardless, but I'm glad I can ask on here for advice and get an answer so quickly!

If ever doing the pinkies in freezer, better make sure freezer is COLD> Otherwise it tortures them.

Ive timed it and in my freezer pinky mice are dead in about 30seconds and rats about min. And frozen solid in 3-5 mins.

I guess Ive never felt the need to euthanize a pinky before feeding, it cannot hurt the snake. I suppose if you were not wanting the pinky to feel the pain of the snake killing it then i can see the point? A little more humaine that way?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

If ever doing the pinkies in freezer, better make sure freezer is COLD> Otherwise it tortures them.

Ive timed it and in my freezer pinky mice are dead in about 30seconds and rats about min. And frozen solid in 3-5 mins.

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You timing the execution rats/mice gave me a funny visual :rofl:

1...2...3...
*open freezer*
Damn.
4...5...6...
*open freezer*
Almost.
7...8...
:rofl::rofl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mues155

I guess Ive never felt the need to euthanize a pinky before feeding, it cannot hurt the snake. I suppose if you were not wanting the pinky to feel the pain of the snake killing it then i can see the point? A little more humaine that way?

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When I bred my own rats I froze pinks simply because there tended to be a lot at one time and I didn't have enough snakes to justify growing out a big bunch of rats, or I would need pinks and there weren't many live ones available. Plus, I found out that the female breeders did better if they only had 6 to raise.