Feeder Euthanization and doing it the Humane way..

OK, guys and gals, I did a little reading and reseach. We were recently discussing euthanizing rodents humanely to be fed to our snakes. Here is some info I found, however, I am not sure that the baking soda and vinegar way would be OK... our snakes may not like the smell. But it also give a small run down on creating a euthanization chamber type contraption, and a little info on using the dry ice method. However, the author of this article is right about dry ice and water creating an explosive situation when done incorrectly. So if you choose to use the dry ice, use small amounts in relation to what you are using as a euthanization chamber. I have used the dry ice method, and if you are careful, it is fool proof, quick and effective..and does not leave your prey smelling like vinegar. Check out this article, it may worth keeping in mind.

http://personal.riverusers.com/~busybee/euthanasia.htm

EDIT: The above link was moved here permanently -
http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/index.html

That was a great article. Thanks for posting!

Geez. That is both descriptive and has pics. Great find!

Way to go Jeanne. The article you found is very informative. Thanks for the URL.

Found another interesting web page with some good information:

http://www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/euthanasia.html

I used to buy lab mice from a local college, and they would put them in a vacuum. I watched them do it once and it didn't take long at all. It seemed very humane. No muss, no fuss, 50 mice ready to go.

A vacuum? Any details available on how that would work?

The way a vaccum works is basically no different than a CO2 Chamber. Both system basically remove oxygen and suffocate the animal. When done correctly, a co2 chamber is actually MUCH more humane than a vaccum. All a vaccum does is remove all oxygen, essentially suffocating the animal. A co2 chamber, however (when administered correctly only), will result in a far more painless death. When initially administered at a 30-40% concentration, CO2 is a general anasthetic. After the animal is sedated, the concentration can be increased in order to suffocate the animal.

Details? No air = No life.

I see where you're going with this, Epil. But is there any real great way to die?