Online Feeder Rodents

[SawyerBalls]

I want to start feeding f/t to prevent injury and also because it's cheaper. I've been looking on sites like Rodent Pro, Big Cheese, ect and their prices per rat/mouse are great but the shipping would cost me around 50 bucks! Anyone have alternatives to buying a few bags frozen rodents without having to pay 50 dollar shipping? I live in San Diego if that could narrow things down at all

[bman123]

Don't those big companies go to some of the reptile shows?? I would think for $50 shipping it would be alot of big rats.

[2kdime]

Problem is you have to factor in the weight of the food as well as the dry ice to keep them cold.

Then you usually have them overnighted to you which is a big factor of the cost.

Don't those big companies go to some of the reptile shows?? I would think for $50 shipping it would be alot of big rats.

[Kaorte]

If you have a reptile show around you, they almost always have frozen rats. I get mine from a local show every few months.

Or you could try and locate a rodent breeder around you who has frozen feeders.

[chapskis1]

If you do the math, even with the high shipping most of the online companies, it comes out to be a pretty good deal.

Here's how things worked out for me with RodentPro:

Petco: 50g rat = $5.00
Rodent Pro: sixty 40-80g rats X $0.79/each = $47.40
plus $40 shipping = $87.40

Which brings you to a total of $1.46/rat

So, sixty rats from rodentpro = $87.40 (including shipping)

Sixty rats from petco (or similiar place) = $300!!

I would say it is cheaper to buy online (but I'm no genius, so someone correct me if I am wrong).

If you can get your hands on a foodsaver, you are in really great shape. I have a friend I borrow one from, and when I get my rats, I individually vacuum seal them. They will last for a year or two in the freezer that way.

So, if you have the freezer space, and can vacuum seal them, you should be able to save a great deal of money. (Heck, with the money you would save in the first year, a foodsaver would pay for itself!)

Hope this helps!

Later,

George

[Calift]

If you do end up ordering online, the Mouse Factory is by FAR the best place to get feeders from. They are worth a few extra bucks, the quality is second to none!

[singingtothewheat]

I think when I was using frozen rodents I asked about how long they would last and it was more than 6 months frozen. Buy a lot!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The key when ordering feeders online is to order bulk, obviously ordering 10 or 20 rodents at the times would be very expensive you need to order at least 100.

You might also want to check American Rodent Supply http://www.americanrodent.com/welcome.html

Besides ordering bulk you next option is to pickup you feeders at local shows.

[SawyerBalls]

Thanks everyone, great advice and in the future I definitely will buy in bulk of at least 100 but being an 18 year old college student living at home, I'm not sure 100 rodents chilling in the feezer with my moms favorite ice cream treats is gunna sit over to well so maybe it's time to look into mini freezers for my room