I'm no stranger to CO2 euthanasia protocol. I partake in it regularly as we euthanize our own research animals in the lab via CO2. I also euthanize excess rats that I breed via CO2 as well. But its just my personal opinion that the snakes, in general, do a better job based on my experience with both methods.
CO2 is not painless even when the rodents do loose consciousness before suffocating. CO2 does sting the eyes and nose. And incorrect use of CO2 like using pre charged chambers, incorrect flow rate, or dry ice is inhumane and the animals do panic and feel pain. Do you know if the commercial breeders who freeze hundreds of rodents every day pre charge their chambers or care about flow rate? I really don't know, but certainly something to think about.
And depending on the age of rodent, it is humane to freeze rodents under 2 weeks of age. They are resistant to hypoxia, thus can survive a CO2 chamber. Freezing is the most effective towards pinks since they have poor temperature management and will die quickly. Anything older than 2 weeks need to be euthanized via cervical dislocation or CO2. It is inhumane otherwise.
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