F/T feeding questions

[donkiez]

Can you refreeze mice/rats if they are not eaten? If so how long is to long before they can be refrozen?

[Jyson]

If say, you thawed one extra out, I suppose you can refreeze it immediately. But if its been thawed out for awhile (5 mins or more) then I would think not, no.

[starmom]

I refreeze any left over rats one time only.
The more you refreeze, the greater the extent of tissue breakdown and lost nutrients .

[donkiez]

follow up question then, how long would defrosted rat still be good to feed to you snake?

Last night I was doing a late feeding, and one of my babies seemed interested but wasnt striking. So I warmed up the mouse one more time dropped it in the tank and went to bed. Sometimes she'll eat if Im not there. This morning the mouse was still there so I threw it away, but I have another snake who will eat anything anytime so I considered feeding it to him but didnt.

[starmom]

I thaw my rats all day long near where I keep the snakes. By evening time, they are defrosted. I increase their heat signature with a blow dryer to the head and offer. If I have any rats left over (rare) I'll pop it back into the freezer that night. I would not give another snake prey that has been sitting with a different snake all night long