Feeder Euthanasia the Easy Way, and Humane too...

...and also because the current sticky's link doesn't seem to go to the article that's off-site anymore. I figured I'd post an on-site write up for everyone.

Let's face it...the paintball equipment gas chamber setup is pretty elaborate and possibly expensive. This way uses dry ice in a sealed container and is far simpler. Dry Ice is actually nothing more than the solid form of carbon dioxide, and it becomes CO2 gas through sublimination at room temperature, I think. (maybe Mendel can answer that one)

Disclaimer: Dry Ice is extremely volatile and should only be used by adults or under the supervision of one. You do not need to add water to dry ice to increase the rate of sublimination, doing so can result in explosive boiling of the water. Do not come into direct contact with the dry ice. Use tongs to handle it, and if you need to break it up, make sure it is in a bag so debris doesn't go flying into your eyes. Use common sense.

List of supplies:
- Dry Ice, about 1 lb (depending upon the size of your chamber), readily available at most grocery stores (Kroger in my case)
- a cooler or similar container than can be made air-tight
- A small container, such as a kritter keeper, or something that can be sealed so the rats can't access but gas can flow out)
- Rats!

Step 1 - Get your cooler ready. I put down paper towels to catch anything gross and make cleaning easier.
https://ball-pythons.net/images/diy/RatChamber001.jpg

Step 2 - Put your rats in the cooler. I had 10 medium sized rats.
https://ball-pythons.net/images/diy/RatChamber002.jpg

Step 3 - Break off the right size piece. I had a 5 lb block, and used maybe 1 lb of it. This stuff will freeze your fingers instantly so please use tongs to handle it.
https://ball-pythons.net/images/diy/RatChamber003.jpg

Step 4 - Place it inside some kind of container where the gas can get out but the rats can't get in. This stuff is really cold and I picture a bunch of rats with their tounge frozen to the block (like the kid who licked the ski chair lift, ok nevermind).
https://ball-pythons.net/images/diy/RatChamber004.jpg

Step 5 - Place the container in with the rats, and close the lid.
https://ball-pythons.net/images/diy/RatChamber006.jpg

Step 6 - After about 5 mins, you've got a bunch of clean, humanely euthanized rats, ready for the freezer.
https://ball-pythons.net/images/diy/RatChamber008.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/images/diy/RatChamber009.jpg

Hope that helps!

-Brad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

Let's face it...the paintball equipment gas chamber setup is pretty elaborate and possibly expensive. This way uses dry ice in a sealed container and is far simpler. Dry Ice is actually nothing more than the solid form of carbon dioxide, and it becomes CO2 gas through sublimination at room temperature, I think. (maybe Mendel can answer that one)

---

Yes, sublimation is the process in which a solid becomes a gas without going through an intermediary liquid stage. Ha! I beat Mendel to it. :giggle: (me = :nerd: )
Wonderful write up Brad. The pictures are great too. :bow: :sweeet:

is the dry ice able to seep out of the cooler also? if the pressure from the gas is allowed to build up it can blow.

(water bottle bombs baby!!)

The cooler definitely isn't air-tight, but not open enough to let the CO2 out anyway. Per my chem-major girlfriend, CO2 is heavier than oxygen, so as the CO2 collects at the bottom, it pushes the O2 up. It only took about 4 minutes total, the rats were asleep within 2. I don't think enough pressure could build in that period of time anyway.

aaw, i see. good method!

I just think this way works a lot better and simpler than the method in the sticky already here. Who wants to mix vinegar and baking soda in a bag? Then your rodents smell like vinegar. This was was very quick, very clean, and seemed very easy on the rats. They just went sleep and that was it.

Excelent !... Thanks for the VERY useful info !!! I second the photo remark! A visual is always a plus to us "lefties".... :)

Just went outside and had a little fun with the rest of the Dry Ice...put it in a tub of water and you get a cool witches brew! :rockon:

Would putting the dry ice in the cooler before putting the rats in, make a difference?

Awesome and very detailed write up!


I'll get the photos moved so you don't have to use your gallery space if you don't mind it becoming the new de facto sticky.