Keeping live rodents

So, after having to deal with live rodents in the house and keeping their living quarters clean to minimize the smell, and so on. The idea of switching to frozen was looking reeeally good to me. But I live with the most squeamish man on the planet and he won't let me keep frozen rats in our freezer. He says he can't comingle our food with dead rats and still eat our food. So I'm resigned to having to keep these suckers alive.

I found a good and cheap local source of live mice and rats, but in order to make it worth my while to travel there, I have to get 10-20 live mice at a time. Assuming both my snakes eat one mouse every 5 days, 20 mice will last me under 2 months. Now, I have my 55 and 75 gallon tanks that still have no new homes and they will be moving into the garage for now. Strangely, hubby has no issue with me keeping a battalion of live rats in our garage.

Can anyone who keeps live mice and rats for their snakes tell me if keeping them in a 55 gallon tank is a good thing? I figure that in order to clean the tank, I can shove them to one side and close half the tank off with the divider to clean the dirty half, the shove them back to clean the other half, and so on. Also, it's hot in my garage. Can they survive temperatures in the 90's ? I know that feral rats can because we once had a bad rat infestation and cought several in one week. And they were living in the attic, but what about these cute little white ones ?

thanks!

Why can't you just buy a small freezer to dedicate to the rats/mice?

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Why can't you just buy a small freezer to dedicate to the rats/mice?

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I have thought of this but I've been told that keeping a freezer cold enough in the garage would cost a fortune in electricity bills.

keep it in your room

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Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

I have thought of this but I've been told that keeping a freezer cold enough in the garage would cost a fortune in electricity bills.

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You can still keep the freezer indoors, they don't take up that much space. If it gets that hot in your garage, do you really think those mice will survive out there? (by the way, this should also answer your question as to whether you can keep your BPs in your garage in South Florida)

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Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

I have thought of this but I've been told that keeping a freezer cold enough in the garage would cost a fortune in electricity bills.

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You don't need a terribly large freezer. Have you added up the potential in electricity costs vs. the amount you are spending on mice/rats (and the amount you will be spending as your snakes get larger and you need more or larger prey items)?

If you can, either get a small freezer just for rats, or build a small rack and breed your own rats. Either will save you money, but don't use a 50 gallon. It will be a PAIN to clean with several rodents.. I mean seriously disgusting and difficult with that large of an aquarium. Look at some cheap roden rack plans and build it yourself or get somebody to help you. It will save you a few headaches and your wallet, in the long run.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

You can still keep the freezer indoors, they don't take up that much space. If it gets that hot in your garage, do you really think those mice will survive out there?

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I don't know, that's what I'm trying to find out actually.. It can get pretty darned hot out there in the middle of summer.

Keeping a freezer inside the house is not really an option. My house is very small and we're already strapped for space. I currently keep 5-10 small mice in a one of these things inside the house.

http://www.bestoday.com.au/billylids...ouse_house.JPG

They are no big deal. Easy to care for. I keep them fed and make sure they have access to water 24/7, and clean their "cage" once a week. But more than 10 small mice and it gets outta hand.

hrm..... maybe I just need to get a second mouse "cage".... I'm probably over thinking this a little bit...

found this thing... might be what I need.
http://www.critter-cages.com/index.p...roducts_id=279

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Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

hrm..... maybe I just need to get a second mouse "cage"....

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or a new hubby.

I would say no on the glass tank - my own experience with mice and rodents (I used to maintain and breed a large colony of "fancy" rats) is that the smell is much worse in a tank, and the animals themselves are less healthy when constantly exposed to the ammonia and smell that builds up in a tank vs. a wire cage. Plus, with the heat, being in a glass tank will allow heat to build up - they'll fare worse in a hot garage in a glass tank than they would in a wire cage.

-Jen

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

or a new hubby.

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Lol!


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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Why can't you just buy a small freezer to dedicate to the rats/mice?

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Yes...Yes...Yes, Do This :number1:

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Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

I have thought of this but I've been told that keeping a freezer cold enough in the garage would cost a fortune in electricity bills.

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Not true. It gets no hotter in Boca than it does in Gainesville. Small freezers are very efficient these days.

I currently have mice and ASF's. Two are in sterelite containers and some in kritter keepers. More effective than a tank and easier to clean


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?f5n1iy

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Originally Posted by Slim

Yes...Yes...Yes, Do This :number1:




Not true. It gets no hotter in Boca than it does in Gainesville. Small freezers are very efficient these days.

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hrmmm. Well I know that in the long term, I'm going to need to switch to frozen because the inconvenience of getting live is going to be a major pain. I had lost faith in the local reptile store that told me I could keep the snakes together.

But... There is another place which I wish I had gotten my snakes from (hindsight and all that..). It's called Ben Seigal's and I think I just caught them on a bad day once which is why I didn't go back (the smell) but I recently did go back and their store is clean as hell. I was impressed to see Provent a Mite on their shelves too. The guy behind the counter was nice enough to let me take something for free because he forgot to ring it up. So, they redeemed themselves for me. I think that smelly day was just cleaning day. Kind of unrealistic to expect zero smell from a place that holds that many reptiles. And the times I've gone there in years past I never had a complaint. But I digress... I think I'll get my live feeders from them for the time being until I find a freezer on Craig's or something. No idea what's involved in getting a snake to eat f/t after being on live.

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Switching from live to f/t somewhat depends on the snake.

Some will be alright with the nom nom dance, while others need the mice brained. My bp won't do f/t. I got him at 2 and a half and he's been on live his whole life. Shows no interest no matter what I try


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?zmuexd

I recently just broke down and purchased a chest freezer and started to buy Frozen Thawed rodents in bulk online. I have plenty of room for the freezer in my basement, but it sounds like you're lacking in indoor space for a freezer.

The freezer I purchased claims to only increase electricity bills by $26 a year. I'm sure it would cost a bit more to keep the freezer in a garage, but I bet you'd still save money in the end by buying 6 months of rodents in bulk online (must buy in bulk to make the shipping costs worth it.) And... Can you really put a price on the peace of mind your hubby will have knowing your rodents are far far away from his Lean Cuisines in the family freezer!

You could also purchase a lot of live rodents locally and gas (see the DIY forum) and freeze them yourself to possibly save even more with a freezer.

I switched
My whole colony to hairless rats
Took me
About 3
Months to do it but I'm finally where I wanna be. Way less smelly!!!


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?lcc4lk

Ben Seigal is highly highly highly respected in the herp community, a good source for any questions you might have about keeping BPs

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Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

But... There is another place which I wish I had gotten my snakes from (hindsight and all that..). It's called Ben Seigal's and I think I just caught them on a bad day once which is why I didn't go back (the smell) but I recently did go back and their store is clean as hell. I was impressed to see Provent a Mite on their shelves too.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by DiscoJaguar

Ben Seigal is highly highly highly respected in the herp community, a good source for any questions you might have about keeping BPs

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Yep, I will definitely be going back to them now that I found everything I needed in one shot at their shop but not at the other (which will remain nameless because I will not slander any business on the open internet).

thanks!

My 7cuft freezer i bought says on the label it only costs $25 a year to run. It is HUGE and i could never fill it full of rodents. A 5cuft one would be even cheaper to run. You wouldnt be able to even fill that one with f/t rodents probably. So just fill the rest of the space with Ben and Jerry's ice cream for yourself since your hubby is so squeamish. The 5cuft one is only 22"x28"x33" . I know you said your strapped for space but a 2'x2' space isnt that big.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_55375-83-FCM...1&facetInfo=GE

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Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

I have thought of this but I've been told that keeping a freezer cold enough in the garage would cost a fortune in electricity bills.

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When I bought my chest freezer, I went completely overboard and bought an enormous freezer (i can stuff an butchered entire cow in it, seriously and still have plently of room), my garage in the summer stays in the mid 80's and I don't notice much difference in electricity bills. While I am out there working, I will pay attention to how often it cycles and it does not cycle anymore than my indoor fridge. And it is practically empty, so its not maintaining the cold due to there being alot of frozen items.

So with that being said, I do not see it having to work much harder when ambient temps are in the 90's, unless it is horribly insulated.

As long as you are not opening the freezer all the time. it should hold the cold well. I have just recently stopped breeding rats because they take so much time cleaning and caring which I just don't have the time anymore since my work schedule changed. I am feeding off my breeders and just buying from a local supplier. I think the cost is pretty equal when you consider the time spent! I was sending more time on the rats and not enough time enjoying my snakes! I would highly recommend frozen!

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Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

I will not slander any business on the open internet

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If you're talking about the business that told you it's fine to house BPs in the same enclosure, and who mix up their own mite remedy, it wouldn't be slander...it would be a public service.

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Originally Posted by Slim

If you're talking about the business that told you it's fine to house BPs in the same enclosure, and who mix up their own mite remedy, it wouldn't be slander...it would be a public service.

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If anyone who lives in florida wants to know, just PM me... thx...
Or if slim want's to post it, go right on ahead. I'm too paranoid.

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Originally Posted by adamfritzsche

When I bought my chest freezer, I went completely overboard and bought an enormous freezer (i can stuff an butchered entire cow in it, seriously and still have plently of room), my garage in the summer stays in the mid 80's and I don't notice much difference in electricity bills. While I am out there working, I will pay attention to how often it cycles and it does not cycle anymore than my indoor fridge. And it is practically empty, so its not maintaining the cold due to there being alot of frozen items.

So with that being said, I do not see it having to work much harder when ambient temps are in the 90's, unless it is horribly insulated.

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I'm looking at 5-7 cu chest freezers now. I've looked on craigs, but since I'm looking for such a small one and it's not like $500 or anything, I might just buy new.

I think a member here recently purchased a small (apartment sized) one from Wal-Mart for less than $125. I'll do a search and see if I can find the thread...

I would try buying a small batch or individual frozen rodents to try with your snakes first.
Some snakes who are on live don't ever switch to frozen. I'm not saying it's not possible or that they won't switch, but it's good to try out first. I've tried frozen with some of my snakes. Maybe 1 out of 10 will take a f/t rat. The rest go nuts for live, which is why I ended up breeding my own feeders.

Also, in your other thread, you said Manasha hasn't eaten a solid rodent in a few weeks now. The most important thing for you to do is get her to eat. Trying out a new feeding method, such as f/t, now will possibly hinder her feeding response. I wouldn't try frozen yet until she's back on live regularly.

Is there a thread or sticky somewhere describing what's involved in feeding frozen, how to thaw, and how to switch from live to frozen?

I like feeding live because it's more "exciting" (dunno how else to put it) but I'm not keen on the smell or on my snake getting bitten... I'm also not keen on having to jump thru hoops just to get clean live feeders. I could just start going to Ben Seigel's from now on tho....

Decisions, decisions..... I think it will have to come down to money for me. I'll do some number crunching and see how much I'd save with frozen versus live. That may motivate me further.

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Originally Posted by Manasha-Bogo

Decisions, decisions..... I think it will have to come down to money for me. I'll do some number crunching and see how much I'd save with frozen versus live. That may motivate me further.

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Let me help motivate you by suggesting you find someone breeding rats near you and visit the night before cleaning day. :gj:

You only have 2 snakes, so in the long run frozen will be cheaper. For someone with a dozen or more snakes, breeding their own food tends to be cheaper/easier.

When you go to Ben's place, ask for some frozen rodents to try out. I'm sure they sell individuals. (I got 2 snakes from Ben and they are some of my best eaters.)

Awesome NEWS!!!

SHE ATE A HOPPER!!!!!

Woooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Now I hope she keeps it down...

oops, wrong thread.