Good 'ol Mice Defrost

So after my little one (a little over 100g at this point) refused to eat frozen/thawed for me for the longest time, I caved and gave him live for a few weeks. Then I decided to try something new. Before I was defrosting in water and then used a hair dryer to warm, he never took them. Then I tried water defrost, hot water to warm. He still didn't show interest. Then after giving him live, I decided to try warming with a ceramic bulb in a lamp... SUCCESS. He's been taking them within seconds no problem. He really likes them toasty hot from the lamp (which I've heard is common).

I've had no problems for weeks, but then today I had issues. The first one I defrosted under the lamp busted open from the stomach when I went to pick it up with tongs from the top. All the organs came sliding out :( So, I decided to defrost another one and just toss the first one. But then the second one just started bleeding from the underside when it was defrosted and pretty warm so I gave it to him quick before it started spilling organs. He took it just fine, but it was messy.

Would you guys just recommend moving them further away from the bulb while defrosting to prevent this?

Yeah, the temps are too high, causing the "explosions". It can happen if defrosted in water too, if it's too hot.
But it sounds like what's happening is the small is staying stronger heating this way and not being "rinsed off" by the water. Keep it up!! Nice job!! :gj:

I defrost with room temperature water for a hour and then I thaw in hot water for 10 minuets and after that I dry it with a hair dryer. I use a temp gun to get the head around 90 and body about 80.

Exploding mice. Gross.

I have always had trouble getting them warm enough with a hairdryer, heat bulb works much better, but yeah, ya gotta watch them or... blam! Mouse guts everywhere.

Seems if you let them thaw all day then just heat them before feeding later under the lamp that would work best. When they are frozen and placed under a hot lamp or put in hot water they get soaked and fill with gas’s and SPLAT.


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I let them thaw at room temp. Lol. Like a frozen soda, don't open it until it's fully thawed. I'm good with not experiencing a rat grenade. Nasty!