Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am wondering where and how would be the best way/place to get a supplier of CO2 so that I can humanly kill the mice I purchase.

I don't want to purchase frozen mice and boil them up, tried that..and hated it..I'd much rather kill mice by suffocation.

A friend of mine used to do it w/a small tank he got filled in his home by a fire extinguisher company.

Any ideas people?
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Uroplatus sikorae 1.1
Uroplatus henkeli
Ball python
Hogg Island Boa Constrictor
Several species of tarantula

I get my co2 tank filled at a local paintball supply shop. It costs me about 3 dollars.
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Thanks...never thought of that before.
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Uroplatus sikorae 1.1
Uroplatus henkeli
Ball python
Hogg Island Boa Constrictor
Several species of tarantula

What size tank would your recommend? How long does your tank last, and how often do you feed them, and how or what does your setup for killing the rodents look like? When I bought my mice, we just CO2'd them in a ziplock bag, worked great. Some people have somewhat more elaborate systems which is fine..just want to see what people use.
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Uroplatus sikorae 1.1
Uroplatus henkeli
Ball python
Hogg Island Boa Constrictor
Several species of tarantula

Thats gross, I made the mistake of dipping one in hot boiling water once to see if it would defrost faster and all the rats skin came off it was nasty...I just put mine in warm tapwater to defrost faster then heat them up under the tap and dry off.I suppose you dont even need to heat them.It helps my rather daft boa to home in properly or she will strike everywhere but the rat.My ball always waits till the rat is nice and cold and rather nasty before he chows down.

BTW I use a 20ounce CO2 tank and it last a long time, I also use ziploc bags for smaller rats and mice but a container with holes for larger rats or multiple rodents..You need to buy a hose for the CO2 bottle as well.
I recharge at a paintball store, Im thinkin Walmart will recharge them too but not sure.It costs me 5 bucks..
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I use a 20 oz tank that usually last me a few months. I breed my own mice and usually only use it if I have extra and have to store them in the freezer. It doesn't take long to kill the mice. I used the directions on this page, http://www.thereddragonsden.com/co2.htm, to build it. It's pretty simple. The most expensive part is the remote hose. That's the white one in the picture. That cost me about 40 dollars but I got a really good one with a built in valve.
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>>I don't want to purchase frozen mice and boil them up, tried >>that..and hated it..I'd much rather kill mice by suffocation.

What do you mean by "boil them up"? I have been feeding f/t rodents for many years and I don't heat them up at all. I simply lay them on a paper towel for a few hours and let them thaw. You end up with clean, dry, thawed mice and rats.
Heating them up artificially invariably ends in a mess.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I boiled them lightly in a bag to make sure their insides weren't frozen...And it SMELLED disgusting!
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Uroplatus sikorae 1.1
Uroplatus henkeli
Ball python
Hogg Island Boa Constrictor
Several species of tarantula

Could you be a little more specific about what you're doing? There certainly shouldn't be any BOILING water involved...or a microwave... I bought a small cooler which I fill with hot water from the tap. That might even be too hot depending on how you have your water heater set. You should be able to put your hand in the water without being too uncomfortable. If the water gets cold before the mice are completely thawed, just dump the water and add more.

>>I boiled them lightly in a bag to make sure their insides weren't frozen...And it SMELLED disgusting!

I have had to boil a pinkie before for a different reason (makes them easier to handle when assist feeding) and even the pinkie stunk when I put it in near boiling water for a few seconds. No wonder you don't want to use F/T anymore!

Try just letting them thaw on the counter or, as others suggested, putting them in a ziploc and setting them in warm water for 10-15 minutes. The trick is to have the water just barely warm - you don't want to cook them, that's when they start to stink!

Before you feed, feel them with your hands. They should be warm and soft all they way through like a live mouse. If you do this, you will find F/T rodents are the best way to go.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I just put my frozen mice in a ziplock bag and dip it in warm water until they're thawed. No mess, no smell, thaws faster than just sitting on the counter and is warm to give them a good target. But that's just me!
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1.0.0 Normal corn snake (Frito)
1.0.0 Creamsicle corn (Tang)
0.1.0 Ghost corn (Raynham)
1.1.0 Bay of LA rosy boas (Rivet and Cali)

I place my frozen mice straight in a cup of warm/hot water. Some people place the mice in a plastic baggy, and then in the warm/hot water. I've found by dropping them in water without using a plastic bag, it cuts down on the smell more. And yes, I do dry the wet mice off with a paper towl, Not that my kings would care one way or the other, LOL.

Steve

I would also recommend getting Co2 at a local brew supply store. I get my Co2 tank for my kegerator refilled for $5 for 5 gallons.

How long does it last?
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Uroplatus sikorae 1.1
Uroplatus henkeli
Ball python
Hogg Island Boa Constrictor
Several species of tarantula