How to thaw large rats?

Hello everyone,

Hope this isn't obviously posted elsewhere (I think I've done a thorough check).

I picked up an adult bp recently who is on large f/t rats. I'm used to adult mice and sm rats, but havn't worked with large f/t rats before. I'm wondering what is the best way to thaw them and prepare them for the bp? With the mice/sm rats I can just stick them in hot water for 20 min and their ready to go. I doubt I can do the same with these monsters.

thanks for any help,

~Matt~

Designate a larger plastic tub (or whatever) to put it in and just use hot water.. you may have to refill it a few times.

i use a big metal pot with lid and hot water, sometimes you may need to refill depends on how many you're thawing out.



vaughn

I set mine out in the morning in a plastic bag and they are thawed by night time

Thanks everyone for the relies.

Is it ok to leave the rat out all day? I know with the smaller ones they get to be smelling ripe pretty quick.

~Matt~

Mircowave.... I also like mine with mustard...

Eeewww, Matt, no... Rat+Microwave=a big no no. Although I believe you can put it on defrost, but I really wouldn't want to take the risk of the rat being cooked in the process.

I thaw mine on a heat pad set on low and turn it over from time to time. Last nights sat on the heat pad for about 2 hours total, but it was frozen solid. So far doing it this way I have seen no ill effects like exploding rodents and so on, nor do they smell.... and the up side, my boa does not like his rodents wet, so his rodents are dry and nice and warm when it is feeding time.

The heating pad sounds like a good idea. I'll try that and the soaking for longer idea. I'm going to pick up some plastic baggies for the soaking though to keep the rat more dry.

thanks everyone.

~Matt~

i use live so i don't have to deal with the problem of thawing, it's too much hassle for me. i know no one asked me, but i find it easier to keep going to the store once a week or once every two incase I feel like keeping the little buggers around, but then i've got to fool with keeping a mouse cage...anyways, know it's off topic but that's my solution to that...besides my BB was raised on live, and i'm a sadist and like to watch the kill ]:)
ok, two cents are up.