Bad Frozen Food? Possible???

[DianeOr]

I got another frozen Girble from the pet store to feed to Taboo. After de-frosting it, it was hard and stiff. The last one was soft and floppy. I decided it must have been dead long before it was frozen and would be hard for her to eat and digest. Was that the right thinking or correct? I called the pet store and they said, "Hum, that's odd?..." [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img] I told her I understood that rats are more nutritious but they never have any small or medium ones when I come in. 'She', the lady at the pet store, said she would make sure that they had a small to medium rat frozen and available tomorrow when I go in. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] This is a small town and I am thinking that they freeze things that die there of other than 'being killed for food causes'...? What do "U" experts think? Am I being over protective, ( being a Grandma could cause this! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] ) Please let me know, I really value your imput! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] >>>My husband is even enjoying my being on this site with you guys & gals!!!!!!!!!!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[trinitywolf]

I would say that is very possible. It would not surprise me if they were freezing the ones that drop off. That may be a very estute observation! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Most people who know nothing about the care of snakes see no problem with that. I have even had someone ask me if they could feed their boas baby rabbits they found on the ground. Although I think that the chances are low of anything happening from feeding baby rabbits after frozen I still advise against any such practice. Who knows if their mother was eating poison and then feeding them, passing the poison on to them.

Have you considered ordering from Rodentpro.com? Do you have anyone that you could split an order with? If neither of those options are open have you considered raising your own? I would stop buying from that shop. That's just my humble opinion... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
Good luck!
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[eddie]

Diane,
It is all together possible for that to have been the case, whether the store did that or if it was done some where else..
But you did good and thought like a good snake mommy, if in doubt, don't use!

Dang you are a good learner! I can't wait till you get your own little one so you can start out with holding it the entire time you have it! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[JuliusSqueezer]

I know a few dealers that i suspect throw dead rats in the freezer that died in the cages and laid there for who knows how long and died who knows how. I like to go in with em and make sure the rats come from some supplier type packaging like rodent pro etc. I usually buy such a quantity that I take an entire package though too.
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[Jack_Daniels]

Id like to take this opportunity to say....I HATE PET STORES... I dont think Ive said that before [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Diane, Ive bought mice AND rats that when thawed, smelled of dead deer on the side of a sun baked road... yes, mice AND rats...its happened multiple times... mad because Ive lost money??? yes.... but even "madder" because they tried to pass that rotten animal off as acceptable for MY snakes... which AIN'T happeining...

So...in knowing that, I suggest you find a good quality breeder of rodents...luckily Rare Earth is near me so I bypass ALL petstores which are closer to me, so that I can get rodents I KNOW are quality... Pay a few bucks more?... #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& skippy..

For real tho, Ive seriously been considering starting my own colony of rodents, so that I can be positive of the source they come from... for only one snake, you need maybe 2 tanks so I'd definatly recommend it to you... I have a few more snakes so it'd take a little more space, and if money wasnt an issue, Id have multiple colonies right now......

Take my advice, never walk through the door of a pet store... trust me.... they will kill your animal as best they can.. it's their nature... money not life...

Find a breeder...or.. become the breeder.. I must say, as 'sacreligous' as it sounds, rats are very cool animals... I love'em.. Like Mr.Boaphile sez... "they're like little dogs".... very true.. and easy to breed... Like a car, noone cares about your boa as much as you, so dont let someones lack of care feed your boa....."create" the feed yourself... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[Countryboy]

Your probably right. I usually buy my rats in bulk and I breed my own mice. I'm going to start breeding rats soon though. Go to a reptile show if there are any close by and buy a 20 pack of small frozen rats. It will be a lot cheaper than going to the pet store and buying a rat a week.
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[Jack_Daniels]

Reptile shows can be good.. given the right ones are considered...


I propose a bill... a bill stating that we all blow up any building labeled a "pet store"...


I dont want to go to jail so I say.... DONT LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY..... I AM DEAD, THEREFORE NOT HAVING A MIND.....

however if you see truth in what I say... so be it.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[Reticu-Lady]

hehehe, JD, you're too much!! lol
Seriously, Diane, I have been thrilled with Rodentpro. Not only am I saving money (until I bought more critteres with what I saved lol), but the rats, mice and pinkies are all fresh and healthy looking. I have never defrosted one of their animals without it turning floppy and looking/smelling normal. Yes, they have a bit of an odor (no bad at all, really), but not like some I have purchased at pet stores before. I defrosted a pet store bought mouse once to have it turn to blackish-purplish mush once - ewww!
If the 'buying in bulk' bothers you, just think, there is no minimum order and the med rats are only 10 to a bag and large are 5 to a bag. Not too much bulk there. lol Trust me, rodentpro has proven it to me. I have saved several $hundred already and the quality is excellent!
BTW, good to 'see' you! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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