Should I call it a wash?

[Lolo76]

Today was feeding day (one day early this week), and I gave Mona a live medium rat - which she will usually take in a heartbeat. But this time something went wrong during the strike, and the rat ended up getting stuck under her bowl. It was very dead, but after struggling to get it loose, she gave up and went back into hiding. A little later I went to check on her, discovered the situation, and removed the rat from under the bowl... at that time I also found a GIANT poop, so time for an impromptu cage cleaning!

Okay... now the tub is clean, the rat is un-stuck, and I laid it back down in hopes she'd eat it. She has NEVER accepted F/T since I've had her, so I'm guessing this feeding is a wash? Should I remove it now, or leave it in overnight? And if she doesn't eat it, should I get another rat tomorrow or wait a week? She's never a problem feeder with live, so she's not stressed out or anything (actually being rather friendly). TIA!

P.S. On a good note... Toby and Delilah each ate 2 adult mice, despite both being in full shed (blue).

[NathanV]

dont leave it overnight, it'll reek so bad, its happened to me before

[Lolo76]

I know, they do stink to high heaven - especially the fresh-killed ones.

[Kaorte]

I leave f/t in overnight all the time. I don't see a problem. If she eats it hooray! If not, oh well.

[blackcrystal22]

dont leave it overnight, it'll reek so bad, its happened to me before

Don't put it directly above the heat source and it should be fine..
I've never had a problem leaving f/t in there overnight.

[Darkice]

Did you try holding it by the tail and dangling it in front of the door to the hide?
I always hold my rats in the air so when they strike they dont get a mouth full of substrate.

[TalismanK9]

I have a couple that are finicky eaters and I always pre-kill a rat and leave it in for them over night and its usually gone by morning, I wouldn't leave it any longer then that due to rigor mortise setting in & sanitary reasons though.

[Lolo76]

Well, she had NO interest in the dead rat, as I predicted... so I removed it before going to bed (around 4am), and got her a new live one today. She stared at it for a while, but eventually took it down without a problem. She's really not into the F/T or pre-killed prey, apparently even when she does the killing herself. Oy vey. Thanks for the advice, though!