Do your BP's....

[STORMS]

Usually what causes a f/t to explode is when it is heated too quickly. Let it sit out for an hour or two to thaw, then blast it with the hair dryer for a minute or two.

Funny you should say that, because thats exactly what I did. I had it out for over an hour warming under one of the heat lamps on the tank so I could prescent.... Then hit it up with my hairdryer same as I do for every feeding. But this was the first time I had a mouse explode. Maybe explode is not the right word... Either way YUCK

[kc261]

An hour under a heat lamp... that sounds like a lot. How hot of a lamp & how close was it to the lamp? Really what I'm getting at is how hot was the mouse at the end of the hour?

A mouse or rat's body temperature is just a little higher than ours, so it doesn't need to get "hot".

That might be what caused the explosion. I've also heard it happens more often when the prey item is defrosted directly in warm water (as opposed to in a plastic bag in warm water), but that isn't what you did.

One time I got distracted and left a mouse under the heat lamp I use for that last minute blast of heat. (This heat lamp is not on the BP's cage..it is way too powerful for that). When I came back it had blood that had oozed out of it just sitting there without even being constricted. Yuk! I decided that particular mouse was probably overcooked and threw it out.

[starmom]

Ewwwww
I have thankfully never experienced this
I take all my rats out in the morning and leave them on the counter to thaw all day. I pre-scent and then zap their little head with a hair dryer.

[STORMS]

An hour under a heat lamp... that sounds like a lot. How hot of a lamp & how close was it to the lamp? Really what I'm getting at is how hot was the mouse at the end of the hour?

A mouse or rat's body temperature is just a little higher than ours, so it doesn't need to get "hot".

That might be what caused the explosion. I've also heard it happens more often when the prey item is defrosted directly in warm water (as opposed to in a plastic bag in warm water), but that isn't what you did.

One time I got distracted and left a mouse under the heat lamp I use for that last minute blast of heat. (This heat lamp is not on the BP's cage..it is way too powerful for that). When I came back it had blood that had oozed out of it just sitting there without even being constricted. Yuk! I decided that particular mouse was probably overcooked and threw it out.

I raise the one heat lamp off the mice so that its not directly over it 8 inches approx. I have my heat lamps setup like pennant light so they are not "on" the mesh part of the tank. I checked the mice before proceeding to the hairdryer - they were warm not hot.

[Jenn]

I've got to hand it to you FT guys. I don't know how you do it. I don't have the stomach for it.

[STORMS]

I was thinking she squeezed that one extra hard.

[STORMS]

I've got to hand it to you FT guys. I don't know how you do it. I don't have the stomach for it.

It is kinda gross isn't it...

[nevohraalnavnoj]

It is kinda gross isn't it...

Isn't paying caboodles of money for feeders from the pet store gross too? Or having to change rat bedding all the time? I think all in all, FT is the best way to feed.

Also, it doesn't help when the FT prey is soaked with urine and poo, as many of my RP orders have been. If they were cleaner I doubt they'd be quite so gross to defrost/heat/wouldn't make my room smell so funny.

JonV

[STORMS]

Isn't paying caboodles of money for feeders from the pet store gross too? Or having to change rat bedding all the time? I think all in all, FT is the best way to feed.

Also, it doesn't help when the FT prey is soaked with urine and poo, as many of my RP orders have been. If they were cleaner I doubt they'd be quite so gross to defrost/heat/wouldn't make my room smell so funny.

JonV

The smell is horrible isn't it?! I notice it when I give the mice a blast with the hairdryer. Gets the snakes in feeding mode real quick tho - so I'll deal with it.

[MeMe]

Isn't paying caboodles of money for feeders from the pet store gross too?

I would have to say no. It's not gross...just sometimes can be expensive.

Or having to change rat bedding all the time?

again...no.

I don't have to change it all the time.

Also, it doesn't help when the FT prey is soaked with urine and poo, as many of my RP orders have been. If they were cleaner I doubt they'd be quite so gross to defrost/heat/wouldn't make my room smell so funny.

JonV

And this is another reason why I breed my own. I know they are healthy (not that f/t's aren't...just saying that I KNOW what my rats are eating and how they are cared for) and they are not soaked in poo and pee.

Oh and when I am feeding my snakes I just get one and toss it in...no muss no fuss.