has anyone bred mice?

[slipknot711]

i have two setups to breed a few mice for their pinkies (sad i know) but atleast im having them live happy healthy lives instead of those tiny mean cages with nothing to do but....well.... ahem.... anyways. i was wonder how you would or have humanely euthanized the pinkies? so far the best thing i have read was a burst of CO2 (which knocks them out) and then freeze, so they dont really feel pain. anyone have better ideas?

[guidofatherof5]

I've got nothing. Sorry.
It's just too convenient to purchase them ready to feed.

[PsychedelicTarantulas]

I can't think of anything better. You might have to build a CO2 chamber yourself. Honestly, most people I know just freeze them without any CO2. It's cool you want to take the extra steps to handle them humanely as possible.

[slipknot711]

i have CO2, but read the pinkies dont really need it since so small... but i may use it just to feel better about it.

[joeysgreen]

CO2 is the appropriate means of euthanasia in small rodents, except for neonates (pinkies). Unfortunately they still retain the ability for anaerobic respiration, or utilizing oxygen from inside the body versus from the lungs. Carbon dioxide itself is an anesthetic, however it is not an analgesic, thus a painfull death is still quite possible.
It is thought by many hobbyists that freezing is a decent compromise for them since they are so small and succumb to hypothermia before to much painfull frostbite has taken place. This is unfounded, but if done all attemps to hasten the process should be taken. This can mean freezing individually/spread apart, or placing an ice pack on top. However, remember that just because it's hidden from view in a freezer doesn't mean suffering is not happening.

I euthanize my adults with massive blunt force trauma, aka whacking.(I would use CO2 just as readily) It is quick, but more difficult to do on smaller sizes, like pinkies. For pinkies, I throw them rapidly against the cement floor taking care to have them hit head first. This immediately subdues them, and then I place into the freezer to ensure they don't revive, which most certainly would be painfull. Note that all mechanical means of euthanasia must be quick and sufficiently violent to avoid suffering. Respecting all animals, be it predator or prey is part of the hobby IMO.

Ian

[slipknot711]

Ian Ty. I want it done quick as possible. I am s lover of all animals. Ty for your help

[Martinz21]

Not that I would ever do it, but has anyone ever fed live mice to a garter or heard of it happening? I only ask because I was almost mistakenly given live fuzzies. I quickly told the worker at the pet store I wanted frozen and they obliged.

[joeysgreen]

Garters would be fine eating live rodent prey of appropriate size. There is a risk to them preferring them and avoiding f/t in the future.