Help me out with euthanizing rats?

Question

I'm not planning on breeding rats to feed all of my snakes - too much work and nastiness but I often have at least a couple picky babies in my collection that require live or fresh killed. So I may breed a pair of rats. What the most humane way to euthanize rats? I'm not looking for anything that involved whacking them off a hard surface or breaking their neck. C02 chamber? How does this work?
I've heard with c02 or carbon monoxide, it can make them itchy and almost feel as if they're suffocating to death? Am I totally off on this? 
Anyone who euthanizes their own rats, or who has experience with how to do this - thanks in advance for any tips.

ftfisher4x4 · Accepted Answer

CO2 is carbon dioxide, not carbon monoxide (CO).  If the gas is introduced into the chamber slowly, the rats simply get groggy and fall asleep.  If the gas is introduced too rapidly, they can tell they are suffocating and will suffer.  

Here is a nice article on the equipment and the process.

http://nwco.net/0531-stepthreelethaltoolsandtechniques/5-4-0-CarbonDioxideChamber.asp

kouneli · Answer

My fiance does dry ice in a sealed chamber. Be sure that the rat is not directly on the dry ice. 
Some people swear by cervical dislocation, but if done incorrectly, it can be extremely painful for the rat.

Anonymous · Answer

I know that to euthanize birds just putting them in front of a car exhaust does the trick. Older car the better, as more CO rather than CO2 makes for a quicker and euphoric death.

Ramonio · Answer

If you have a pair of feeding tongs, place them just under the head, then grab the tail, and pull. The neck will break. Works with my red tail boa. I kill the rat pups that way.

Anonymous · Answer

grab the tail and smack it against a table.

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Help me out with euthanizing rats?

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