My Feeder Euthanizer (DIY CO2 chamber)

Very cool setup and very close to the one we made.

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can you use any container,

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The one we did used a sterilite sweater box. You just want something that will keep most of the gas in and let some of the oxygen out through the top. C02 is heavier then air so it will fill the bottom of the container.

Good design, Peter. The only thing that came to mind was the use of that styrofoam container. Rodents pretty much pee and poop constantly and I'm thinking that container will be difficult to clean after each use. Won't it eventually get pretty smelly?

Could you report back after it's first run and let us know how it went for you please.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Good design, Peter. The only thing that came to mind was the use of that styrofoam container. Rodents pretty much pee and poop constantly and I'm thinking that container will be difficult to clean after each use. Won't it eventually get pretty smelly?

Could you report back after it's first run and let us know how it went for you please.

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I was thinking of putting down paper towels over top of a sort of 'bowl' made of tin foil to capture any mess, but as I had previously stated, it WILL get too soiled to use after a while, but its not very expensive to go buy a styrofoam cooler, I suppose in a way its sort of disposable.

OK, my first euthanization was today. It worked perfectly. I laid down paper towels, and put in 8 small sized rats, they all had plenty of floor space. I turned the co2 on very lightly. After about 30 seconds the rats stopped moving. They were all still breathing normally. They were not gasping for air. Their breathing slowed more and more throughout a period of 4 minutes. At the 4 minute mark, all movement and respiration had ceased. I left the co2 on for 3 more minutes. I turned off the co2 and left the chamber sealed for an additional 3 minutes. Total time 10 minutes. I did not need to hold the lid down with any pressure at all. Prior to euthanizing, my co2 tank weighed 950 grams. Afterwards, it weighed 896 grams, a total of 54 grams of co2 used. Overall, I believe this was a very humane, and cost effective means of euthanasia. I'm glad I was able to share this device with you guys, and I recommend you try it.

Nicely done, Peter. :) I stickied it and changed the thread title so folks can know what's in it before they even open it. ;)

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

I used this specifically because after a while, it's gonna get soiled, and its pretty darn cheap to replace it.

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Sounds like a good excuse to order more steaks. :)

GJ man, I do think the lid will be popping off because the air has nowhere to go...

Justin

There is a hole at the top of the enclosure to let the oxygen out, ;)

YESS!!!! I can't believe something I wrote got stickied!! Thank you SOOOOOOOOO much Judy. And for the air escaping question, there is no hole for the air to get out, it just slowly seeps out around the lid. It doesn't pop it off.

Ahh, I swore you said there was a hole at the top.... hmm, may have to go reread that one.

Once they drop off you can just flood the chamber and turn off the CO2 and save a lot of CO2. You shouldn't need to leave it on for several minutes. A good blast to flood the chamber after they are out and make sure it is well sealed. Leave them 5 minutes or so without opening it and they'll be peacefully gone.