Keeping live rodents

[adamfritzsche]

I have thought of this but I've been told that keeping a freezer cold enough in the garage would cost a fortune in electricity bills.

When I bought my chest freezer, I went completely overboard and bought an enormous freezer (i can stuff an butchered entire cow in it, seriously and still have plently of room), my garage in the summer stays in the mid 80's and I don't notice much difference in electricity bills. While I am out there working, I will pay attention to how often it cycles and it does not cycle anymore than my indoor fridge. And it is practically empty, so its not maintaining the cold due to there being alot of frozen items.

So with that being said, I do not see it having to work much harder when ambient temps are in the 90's, unless it is horribly insulated.

[seeya205]

As long as you are not opening the freezer all the time. it should hold the cold well. I have just recently stopped breeding rats because they take so much time cleaning and caring which I just don't have the time anymore since my work schedule changed. I am feeding off my breeders and just buying from a local supplier. I think the cost is pretty equal when you consider the time spent! I was sending more time on the rats and not enough time enjoying my snakes! I would highly recommend frozen!

[Slim]

I will not slander any business on the open internet

If you're talking about the business that told you it's fine to house BPs in the same enclosure, and who mix up their own mite remedy, it wouldn't be slander...it would be a public service.

[Manasha-Bogo]

If you're talking about the business that told you it's fine to house BPs in the same enclosure, and who mix up their own mite remedy, it wouldn't be slander...it would be a public service.

If anyone who lives in florida wants to know, just PM me... thx...
Or if slim want's to post it, go right on ahead. I'm too paranoid.

[Manasha-Bogo]

When I bought my chest freezer, I went completely overboard and bought an enormous freezer (i can stuff an butchered entire cow in it, seriously and still have plently of room), my garage in the summer stays in the mid 80's and I don't notice much difference in electricity bills. While I am out there working, I will pay attention to how often it cycles and it does not cycle anymore than my indoor fridge. And it is practically empty, so its not maintaining the cold due to there being alot of frozen items.

So with that being said, I do not see it having to work much harder when ambient temps are in the 90's, unless it is horribly insulated.

I'm looking at 5-7 cu chest freezers now. I've looked on craigs, but since I'm looking for such a small one and it's not like $500 or anything, I might just buy new.

[Slim]

I think a member here recently purchased a small (apartment sized) one from Wal-Mart for less than $125. I'll do a search and see if I can find the thread...

[satomi325]

I would try buying a small batch or individual frozen rodents to try with your snakes first.
Some snakes who are on live don't ever switch to frozen. I'm not saying it's not possible or that they won't switch, but it's good to try out first. I've tried frozen with some of my snakes. Maybe 1 out of 10 will take a f/t rat. The rest go nuts for live, which is why I ended up breeding my own feeders.

Also, in your other thread, you said Manasha hasn't eaten a solid rodent in a few weeks now. The most important thing for you to do is get her to eat. Trying out a new feeding method, such as f/t, now will possibly hinder her feeding response. I wouldn't try frozen yet until she's back on live regularly.

[Manasha-Bogo]

Is there a thread or sticky somewhere describing what's involved in feeding frozen, how to thaw, and how to switch from live to frozen?

I like feeding live because it's more "exciting" (dunno how else to put it) but I'm not keen on the smell or on my snake getting bitten... I'm also not keen on having to jump thru hoops just to get clean live feeders. I could just start going to Ben Seigel's from now on tho....

Decisions, decisions..... I think it will have to come down to money for me. I'll do some number crunching and see how much I'd save with frozen versus live. That may motivate me further.

[JohnNJ]

Decisions, decisions..... I think it will have to come down to money for me. I'll do some number crunching and see how much I'd save with frozen versus live. That may motivate me further.

Let me help motivate you by suggesting you find someone breeding rats near you and visit the night before cleaning day.

[satomi325]

You only have 2 snakes, so in the long run frozen will be cheaper. For someone with a dozen or more snakes, breeding their own food tends to be cheaper/easier.

When you go to Ben's place, ask for some frozen rodents to try out. I'm sure they sell individuals. (I got 2 snakes from Ben and they are some of my best eaters.)