Feeder Euthanasia the Easy Way, and Humane too...

[elevatethis]

...and also because the current sticky's link doesn't seem to go to the article that's off-site anymore. I figured I'd post an on-site write up for everyone.

Let's face it...the paintball equipment gas chamber setup is pretty elaborate and possibly expensive. This way uses dry ice in a sealed container and is far simpler. Dry Ice is actually nothing more than the solid form of carbon dioxide, and it becomes CO2 gas through sublimination at room temperature, I think. (maybe Mendel can answer that one)

Disclaimer: Dry Ice is extremely volatile and should only be used by adults or under the supervision of one. You do not need to add water to dry ice to increase the rate of sublimination, doing so can result in explosive boiling of the water. Do not come into direct contact with the dry ice. Use tongs to handle it, and if you need to break it up, make sure it is in a bag so debris doesn't go flying into your eyes. Use common sense.

List of supplies:
- Dry Ice, about 1 lb (depending upon the size of your chamber), readily available at most grocery stores (Kroger in my case)
- a cooler or similar container than can be made air-tight
- A small container, such as a kritter keeper, or something that can be sealed so the rats can't access but gas can flow out)
- Rats!

Step 1 - Get your cooler ready. I put down paper towels to catch anything gross and make cleaning easier.


Step 2 - Put your rats in the cooler. I had 10 medium sized rats.


Step 3 - Break off the right size piece. I had a 5 lb block, and used maybe 1 lb of it. This stuff will freeze your fingers instantly so please use tongs to handle it.


Step 4 - Place it inside some kind of container where the gas can get out but the rats can't get in. This stuff is really cold and I picture a bunch of rats with their tounge frozen to the block (like the kid who licked the ski chair lift, ok nevermind).


Step 5 - Place the container in with the rats, and close the lid.


Step 6 - After about 5 mins, you've got a bunch of clean, humanely euthanized rats, ready for the freezer.




Hope that helps!

-Brad