First Cull...

[Reptilian]

I culled my first mouse today. A hopper for my corn phantom. They don't sell hoppers at any of the stores I went to, except for Petsmart for 4 something a piece. So I went to the local pet shop and picked out the smallest mouse they had and took it home with me. I put her in my CO2 chamber and watched her gasp alittle and 'sleep'.

It was sad to watch that. That I had to take a life...I keep telling myself it's to feed another, but still to watch it was sad. I wrapped her neatly in clear plastic wrap and put her in an air tight container and said a little mousey prayer for her.

[JabbaTheMutts]

next time put it in a brown lunch bag and give it a good wack on the wall. It's faster for you and the mouse.

[PythonWallace]

If that's sad, then I won't mention how I "cull" rats and mice.

[Reptilian]

That I dont' think i can do. What if I don't hit hard enough or end up breaking a little bone that their or don't really kill it all the way. I think the next one I cull I'll cover the container so I can't see it. Maybe.

[jglass38]

Threads like this always seem to show some people for what they really are. To the original poster, we do what we have to as snake owners. It seems that you truly care about animals and have respect for the feeders. I wish I could say the same for others.

[slartibartfast]

That I dont' think i can do. What if I don't hit hard enough or end up breaking a little bone that their or don't really kill it all the way. I think the next one I cull I'll cover the container so I can't see it. Maybe.

Your method is much more humane. Ignore the whackers.

[lord jackel]

I culled my first mouse today. A hopper for my corn phantom. They don't sell hoppers at any of the stores I went to, except for Petsmart for 4 something a piece. So I went to the local pet shop and picked out the smallest mouse they had and took it home with me. I put her in my CO2 chamber and watched her gasp alittle and 'sleep'.

It was sad to watch that. That I had to take a life...I keep telling myself it's to feed another, but still to watch it was sad. I wrapped her neatly in clear plastic wrap and put her in an air tight container and said a little mousey prayer for her.

It is a necessary step (but you did it humanely...which isn't always the case as you see from others)

One comment slow down on how fast you put the CO2 into the container...they shouldn't "gasp" mine just lay down and fall to sleep. If they start gasping or panting it means the gas is going to fast and their suffocating.

[JabbaTheMutts]

Your method is much more humane. Ignore the whackers.

Yes because suffocation is much more humane

[Reptilian]

One comment slow down on how fast you put the CO2 into the container...they shouldn't "gasp" mine just lay down and fall to sleep. If they start gasping or panting it means the gas is going to fast and their suffocating.

Damn...that's what I kinda figured. I'll keep it in mind to slow down on the CO2 next time.

[frankykeno]

Is there any possibility some of you could show a little common sense and maturity and choose not to intrude into this sort of thread with the "just whack it to death" stuff. If that's how you personally choose to put a living animal down then so be it. Layna obviously felt a bit bad about her first humane euthanizing of a prey item so let's just all be big boys and girls and respect this member's feelings okay.

Layna, it's not easy dear to be the agent of this sort of thing. Just as it's not always easy feeding live for me. The only comfort or advice I can share with you is that you did it right and you did it humanely. You obviously have a level of respect for the prey item (sadly not shared by some) and in that you show your respect and care for the snake that will live off that mouse.

When I first bred my rats and saw their young born it was very hard for me to feed those cute fuzzy baby rats to our snakes. I remember though that nature in her wisdom created them to be what they are....predator and prey. I'm just a very small cog in that big unending wheel. So for me Layna, I just offer respect to both, am glad for what the rodent does for my snakes and remind myself every week that what I feel is a natural human emotion. The snake and the rat don't require my feelings so I respect my place in their dynamic as much as I can.