Storing Rodents

[EthanMG]

I received 25 rat pups from Big Cheese Rodents, but they came in a vacuum sealed bag, not a resealable bag. When I open it, could I just keep the extras in a ziplock brand bag, or is there a better way? Would this cause them to go bad or get freezer burn? I was thinking to maybe use a food vacuum sealer and seal each rodent individually. That way I could thaw it out in water while it’s still in the individual seal. Would this work? What’s the longest I can have the rat out of the freezer before I have to put it back?


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[Snagrio]

I have that exact order and I just put them all in a big ziplock bag with no problems, no need to vacuum seal each one. When I take one out to thaw I simply put it in a smaller ziplock (new one each time).

As for how long a frozen rat can be out and still be "fresh" enough to put back, I'd say under an hour assuming it has only been sitting in average room temperature that isn't too warm. Once a rat's thawed though it's feed or bust, because decomposition will start to happen very rapidly which can be dangerous for your snake with bacteria and such.

[EthanMG]

I have that exact order and I just put them all in a big ziplock bag with no problems, no need to vacuum seal each one. When I take one out to thaw I simply put it in a smaller ziplock (new one each time).

As for how long a frozen rat can be out and still be "fresh" enough to put back, I'd say under an hour assuming it has only been sitting in average room temperature that isn't too warm. Once a rat's thawed though it's feed or bust, because decomposition will start to happen very rapidly which can be dangerous for your snake with bacteria and such.

Ok thank you! I have a ziplock bag that the pack fits in exactly. I’ll just keep the pack in there once I open it. Appreciate the help


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[EL-Ziggy]

That’s one thing I wish Big Cheese would change. They really should use resealable bags. I know Cold Blooded Cafe uses them.

I put my remaining Big Cheese feeders in gallon size Ziplock freezer bags. For rat pups you could probably use a couple of quart sized freezer bags.

[KMG]

I order mine from RodentPro and they come in large zip bags. I leave them like that. I thaw in water and serve wet.

[EthanMG]

I order mine from RodentPro and they come in large zip bags. I leave them like that. I thaw in water and serve wet.

Ok thank you. Interesting, most people that I’ve heard from don’t feed at does substrate ever get stuck, or do you use paper?


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[EthanMG]

That’s one thing I wish Big Cheese would change. They really should use resealable bags. I know Cold Blooded Cafe uses them.

I put my remaining Big Cheese feeders in gallon size Ziplock freezer bags. For rat pups you could probably use a couple of quart sized freezer bags.

Would one regular ziplock bag that fits the pack exactly work, or should I separate them into multiple bags? Are there special bags that are made for the freezer? Thanks for helping.


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[EL-Ziggy]

Would one regular ziplock bag that fits the pack exactly work, or should I separate them into multiple bags? Are there special bags that are made for the freezer? Thanks for helping.


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They do make ziploc freezer bags. I haven’t bought rat pups in a long time but one gallon sized freezer bag might work. You could also break them down into smaller bag groups for convenience and to preserve freshness.

[Charles8088]

...You could also break them down into smaller bag groups for convenience and to preserve freshness.

Yep, that's what I do. I break down my order, and put the smaller feeders into a QUART bag, and then put a few of the QUART bags into one larger GALLON bag. Helps preserve freshness. Or, maybe not, but it seems like it helps for me. The larger feeders, I just put into the GALLON bags.

[EthanMG]

Yep, that's what I do. I break down my order, and put the smaller feeders into a QUART bag, and then put a few of the QUART bags into one larger GALLON bag. Helps preserve freshness. Or, maybe not, but it seems like it helps for me. The larger feeders, I just put into the GALLON bags.

Alrighty makes sense, appreciate it!


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