Frozen thawed rats (yellow staining on fur)

[CDCHerpetological]

Hi guys,
I buy f/t rats from a local breeder and usually the coats are pearly white. I went to pick some up today and I saw that a lot of the rats had a yellowish staining to their coats. When I opened up the bag, I also noticed a strong ammonia-ish type of smell. I asked my breeder and she told me that some of the rats urinate/defecate on themselves before dying from the CO2. Could this be? I know the past 3 or 4 orders, only about 2-3 were this yellowish color out of the 30 I ordered. Has anyone ever had experiences like this? Any input is appreciated! Thanks!
-Johnny

[cinderbird]

happens occassionally. I also find some poops too. It depends on what the rattery does before they bag. If they clean you dont find as much, if they just package straight from CO2 you'll find more.

[jfreels]

It's pee. I'm guessing you've never ordered from RodentPro before

It won't be of any harm to your snake.

[snakesRkewl]

I use wire in the tub to keep the rat up off the floor of the tub so it doesn't soak up any pee if it pees.
There's really no excuse for the rat to be covered in pee

[mykee]

"There's really no excuse for the rat to be covered in pee "

I concur.

[jfreels]

I use wire in the tub to keep the rat up off the floor of the tub so it doesn't soak up any pee if it pees.
There's really no excuse for the rat to be covered in pee

Are you speaking of your CO2 chamber? I've never seen a tutorial that states using any kind of grate to keep the rodent off the bottom to keep it out of it's urine and feces after euthanasia. It's a good idea though, I guess.

[snakesRkewl]

Simple yet effective.
I have a 6qt for a couple of rodent and a 15qt to do 6-10 at a time.

[jfreels]

That is an awesome setup. Please take no offence to my post, it was just unclear to me if you might have been thinking that the rats just lived in pee

I'll be sure to come to you when I need some help with mine!

[snakesRkewl]

No offense taken

This set up cost under $80, mostly because its an aluminum tank and not steel.
I hate thumping rats as I breed pet quality for the pet market, it just isn't in me to whack a rat so I spent the money and haven't regretted it a bit.

[CDCHerpetological]

Thank you guys , Yes I've never ordered from RodentPro. Hopefully the urine will wash off when I soak them to thaw.