| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| danablett |
Posted - 10/12/2014 : 19:24:35
How long do large mice generally take to defrost and where is the best place to do it?
Reason I ask is, I usually get the mouse out first thing (between 5.30 & 7.30), I place it in a small air tight container on top of Oscars viv. He then he gets fed around half 3 once I'm back from work and school run has been done.
Today I got the mouse out and I could smell it today....never experienced that before....is it possible to leave it out for too long?
On a separate note:
I've had oscar now for about 6 weeks, and he's been a bit lazy when it comes to feeding...in that he just takes it off me...never strikes or constricts. Took me by surprise today when he striked at it but he just head butted it and got bored. I left him to it and he ate it after a few minutes in a box.
This mightsound a bit of a silly question...and I'm sure someone will say "until its defrosted". |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| gaz1974 |
Posted - 19/12/2014 : 20:32:30
Seriously though... The only problem with the hairdryer is that you need to clamp the mouse in place as the device does have a habit of blowing it off the table!!!! |
| Kellog |
Posted - 18/12/2014 : 08:18:07
quote:
Originally posted by gaz1974
I do hope that wasn't because you also put the hairdryer in the oven Kellogg??#128512;
Now you mention it Gaz   ....
Xxx
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| gaz1974 |
Posted - 16/12/2014 : 21:17:01
I do hope that wasn't because you also put the hairdryer in the oven Kellogg??#128512; |
| Kellog |
Posted - 15/12/2014 : 07:44:08
I used to use a hairdryer but managed to blow it up  .
Xxx
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| gaz1974 |
Posted - 14/12/2014 : 20:38:53
I do mine in the oven on low heat. It take about 15 minutes. Once they are completely warm to the touch and soft when you press them they are ready to serve.
The snakes detect the odour of the mouse as the vivs are near the kitchen. This puts them into feed mode and they then tend to strike.
Have to be careful not to overheat the mice though as you don't want to feed semi-cooked mice to the animals.
I've also used a hair drier in the past. |
| Razee |
Posted - 12/12/2014 : 08:17:47
This is how I was told ( by shop ) to defrost:
I take a tub of warm water, not hot, just warm to the point where you can still hold your hand in it. Pop the mouse in - jumbo mice take about 17 mins ( they are fully defrosted earlier, I just want to be sure ). By that time the water has cooled to about body temperature, so not too warm to feed - just right, roughly what the mouse would be, when alive.
I keep trying to research the safest ways of defrosting - I read somewhere, that the quicker, the better, as it doesn't give the bacteria inside the time to start the decomposing process again.
I've asked various scientists at work ( I work at university - biosciences ) what would be the best way. They weren't 100% sure on that, but said either the fastest method, or defrost in the fridge, where it will stay cold, so it will slow down any bacteria multiplying inside the mouse - then just warm it before feeding.
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| danablett |
Posted - 11/12/2014 : 20:21:17
Thanks for the advice, again....I do like this forum #128522;.
Think I may have to speak to the wife very nicely when I'm at work to get said mouse out of the freezer.
Thanks again. |
| Wheels |
Posted - 11/12/2014 : 11:52:15
I tend to put the mousie in a freezer bag and put the freezer bag into a cup of hot (not boiling!) water for 10 minutes or so. It is then defrosted (I check it is squashy before feeding) and slightly warm, but not wet.
I never knew about heating to above room temp before, but the above method takes care of that in one easy step  |
| Kellog |
Posted - 11/12/2014 : 09:13:17
That's a very interesting link Foobs. Thank you for posting it. It confirms what I would have said, that for large mice I would leave them to defrost for 2/3 hrs. I certainly wouldn't leave them at room temperature for 8hrs. If you need to take Oscar's food out before you go to work then you could defrost it in the fridge. Mine are out in a plastic bag, in a tub, and out of the way on top of one of the vivs. Used to leave them on the breakfast bar but the kids complained  .
Obviously if you defrost in the fridge then you would need to warm the mouse up when it came to feeding time. If it is thawed at room temperature it isn't vital to, although you may get a better feeding response if you did. My snakes are often like Oscar. They examine the offered mouse from all angles before taking it gently. And then there is the time when they surprise me and attack it as though it were alive . Having dealt with a picky feeder I'm always just glad they've eaten but it is lovely seeing them strike and coil.
Xxx
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| danablett |
Posted - 11/12/2014 : 06:51:17
Thank you for that.....interesting link....wasn't aware of the warming up to above room temperature bit once the mouse was defrosted. |
| Foobs |
Posted - 10/12/2014 : 23:51:02
I can't say for mice specifically, but I would say three to four hours tops and probably slightly less if you are defrosting it over a heat source. I would imagine that the smell would be the normal decomposition process. I found this site http://www.frozenfeeder.com/thawing_instructions.html had a helpful page, but it goes into larger prey items. If you have a feed on a day when you are not at work you could time it from when you take it out of the freezer until it is soft/squishy and not cold, then you will know for future reference.
Regarding Oscar, Drako is the same. I have to wiggle it infront of his mouth for a few seconds before he pays any interest in it and he definitely hasn't tried to hit one or constrict yet (unless it is my daughter lol). |
