Petco Frozen Feeders?

[jack jones]

I've contemplated ordering online but it seems like the shipping costs would outweigh it for me since I only have one snake. My Arctic Mouse from Petsmart last night did have its tail break off on the tongs when I went to feed, but I figured I just squeezed to tight. My preference would be rats. We have a local chain called Petsway and I will be seeing if they have rats this Sunday for the next feeding.

Here'a question....assuming you do buy bulk and they come vacuum sealed, etc.....what happens when you break the seal? Do they get freezer burnt and less appetizing? For the one snake I like the idea of getting singles in their little "boil-in-bag" pouch, LOL.

[JoshSloane]

I've contemplated ordering online but it seems like the shipping costs would outweigh it for me since I only have one snake. My Arctic Mouse from Petsmart last night did have its tail break off on the tongs when I went to feed, but I figured I just squeezed to tight. My preference would be rats. We have a local chain called Petsway and I will be seeing if they have rats this Sunday for the next feeding.

Here'a question....assuming you do buy bulk and they come vacuum sealed, etc.....what happens when you break the seal? Do they get freezer burnt and less appetizing? For the one snake I like the idea of getting singles in their little "boil-in-bag" pouch, LOL.

I honestly would just go with Big Cheese and order enough that it makes it worth your while. Even if you don't buy a ton, it is still cost effective adding in shipping costs per feeder. My local pet store sells small rats as feeders for almost 5$. Even with shipping costs figured in they cost less than 2$ when ordered online.

When I open the package I simply put them in a sealed gallon freezer bag. Over a month later I don't have any freezer burn and they still all look amazing.

[CantHelpIt]

I personally don't like to keep meat or food for longer than a couple of months so my freezer is pretty empty but to make ordering rats online worthwhile I have a little over a years supply.
Does anyone know if/when rats go bad?

[bcr229]

I honestly would just go with Big Cheese and order enough that it makes it worth your while. Even if you don't buy a ton, it is still cost effective adding in shipping costs per feeder. My local pet store sells small rats as feeders for almost 5$. Even with shipping costs figured in they cost less than 2$ when ordered online.

Dang that's high! Granted mine sells to me at wholesale prices because I buy a lot of feeders each week - and they produce their own - so I pay $1.50 for a small. My price on jumbo rats is $3.50 and rabbit for the retics is $2/pound. If the local retailers were all charging $5 for a small rat I'd shop online too.

When I open the package I simply put them in a sealed gallon freezer bag. Over a month later I don't have any freezer burn and they still all look amazing.

This. I've had feeders 3-4 months in the freezer that are still fine.

[JoshSloane]

Yep. Believe it or not we only have a couple stores in the Denver area that will sell rodents as feeders. With the trapped market they just jack up the prices. It is 3$ for fuzzy rats. Unbelievable I know.

[Prognathodon]

In mid-2015 I did the math on Arctic Mice from PrtSmart vs. Big Cheese, including shipping *and* a vacumn sealer, and Big Cheese won fairly quickly - IIRC in a couple months with a half-dozen snakes (sorry, apparently didn't save the numbers). And now we have 17 snakes, and a shelf full of rodents in the freezer.

Occasionally there will be a tail or paw damaged, but it's minor. Likewise, sometimes one will leak a little bit, but not enough that I've ever been concerned.

We've used the vacumn sealer in people-food, too, so it's been a win all around.


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[JoshSloane]

I would be shocked if any big brand pet store feeders were more economical than Big Cheese. Also, their rodents seem to be even better looking than live feeders from the pet store, even after months in the freezer.

[LittleTreeGuy]

I've contemplated ordering online but it seems like the shipping costs would outweigh it for me since I only have one snake. My Arctic Mouse from Petsmart last night did have its tail break off on the tongs when I went to feed, but I figured I just squeezed to tight. My preference would be rats. We have a local chain called Petsway and I will be seeing if they have rats this Sunday for the next feeding.

Here'a question....assuming you do buy bulk and they come vacuum sealed, etc.....what happens when you break the seal? Do they get freezer burnt and less appetizing? For the one snake I like the idea of getting singles in their little "boil-in-bag" pouch, LOL.

I too only have one snake, and I feel it was more cost effective and convienent to order online. Like I said, I got my order over a month ago and they still look the same as the day I got them. I keep them in a ziploc bag in my deep freeze and they seem to be fine and the snake seems to think they are tasty.

[Ilovebugs]

I once used gourmet rodents and was very dissapointed
Big Cheese is a good option only bought there once but the mice where in good shape. My favorite feeder brand is Reptile Deli, rodents are in good shape and snakes love them. The link if you want to check them out is at the bottom. I normally just buy bulk at an expo so shipping isn't a problem.

Have a mice day.

http://www.reptiledeli.com/

[Slim]

The Gourmet Rodent facility is located just down the road from where I live, and less than two miles from my parent's house. If you saw the condition of the building, you'd think twice before ever buying anything from them. Back when the original owners were running the show, they did put out a quality product, but sadly, that is no longer the case.