How Many Times Can Rats Be Thawed & Re-Frozen?

[Neal]

To add to this question... how long can you have the rodents frozen for? Because, the longer you can freeze, I guess the larger quantity you can buy in, to store for awhile. And, I'm guessing, cheaper.

This varies. Freezer burn can and does happen. Places like bigcheeserodents and perfect prey vacuum seal packages which help. If I open something. I get the good freezer rated bags then I still put it in a freezer container to try and help.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

To add to this question... how long can you have the rodents frozen for? Because, the longer you can freeze, I guess the larger quantity you can buy in, to store for awhile. And, I'm guessing, cheaper.

Mainly depends on how they are packed if they are vacuum sealed up to a year.

[Slither Seeker]

To add to this question... how long can you have the rodents frozen for? Because, the longer you can freeze, I guess the larger quantity you can buy in, to store for awhile. And, I'm guessing, cheaper.

I found an old food saver for free and have devoted it to individually vacuum sealing each rodent. I'm pretty sure this puts it out into the 2-3 year range but I go through them faster than that so I do it mostly for freshness. before that I was going 6 months but the freezer burn really takes it's toll after a while on them if they are not vacuum sealed, making them more fragile and less appetizing.

as for refreezing, I try and avoid it but will do it once.

[Aedryan Methyus]

Thanks for all of your insight everyone. Lots of great tips and advice given here! Back when I kept snakes before, I would re-freeze on occasion and I never had any problems. I never really knew what the general rule of thumb was, though. Now that I am working with a lot more snakes with a lot more still on the way I just don't want to be wasting any more rats than I have to, but at the same time I don't want to risk the animal's health...

[Hypancistrus]

I personally wouldn't refreeze anything, but I know that people have done it once. A feeder isn't worth the loss of an animal to me, so that's why I won't refreeze.

Also how long was it thawed for, because it can and will begin to decompose.

I feel the same way. With that said, I have one BP who is often happy to eat one that is leftover the next morning. Never misses his own meal and always happy to eat the leftovers. Fatty.

[dr del]

I haven't read the thread ( sorry ) but I go for once only and even there you are taking a chance of a rat-grenade.