thaw frozen mice and rats

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Originally Posted by cornball252

all that sounds like too much work... blow drying??? Just use hot water and they will thaw in about 10 mins... and not have to sit out over night and have time to grow some nasty bacteria...

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I used to do it that way but a lot of the time when you thaw them too quickly they explode on impact. It is really gross and messy. It is also gross when you have a rodent juice spill. All I do now is leave them on top of my freezer in the morning and then put them under a lamp a few minutes before feeding. No water, no rodent bombs, no mess.

I have a container I use just to thaw out the rats. I run my faucet until the water gets very hot then fill it about half way with the rats in it. Leave it on the counter while I am doing something else. Then in about an hour if that they are thawed out. I dump that water(outside) and refill it with warm water to bring the temp of the rat back up. As I am feeding if a snake will not take the rat I feel its face and if it is to cold I will just hold it up to a light to warm it up again and BAM they take it. This is what works for me.

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Originally Posted by Repsrul

I have a container I use just to thaw out the rats. I run my faucet until the water gets very hot then fill it about half way with the rats in it. Leave it on the counter while I am doing something else. Then in about an hour if that they are thawed out. I dump that water(outside) and refill it with warm water to bring the temp of the rat back up. As I am feeding if a snake will not take the rat I feel its face and if it is to cold I will just hold it up to a light to warm it up again and BAM they take it. This is what works for me.

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This is the exact method I use. And it works for me and has been working for years.

I've also never had a rat "pop" on me as some are talking about.

thanks everyone for the suggestions

I put the rat in a ziploc the night before and place in the fridge. I usually don't feed till around 10pm the next day so by then it is usually pretty much thawed. I fill the sink bottom with warm water right before feeding and leave it in there about 5 minutes, blow dry the head (1 minute or so) and then feed.

YouTube - Royality - Feeding Time

I go over how I thaw in the first part of this video. works awesome, I dont use JUST plastic baggies anymore, because aspen sticks to wet rodents, and it seems something always pokes holes in the bags (usually nails)

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Originally Posted by eggman08

I feed live but in wanting to switch to frozen. What is the best way to get the frozen rodents to eating temp. Thanks

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Just put it in a ziploc bag and fill up some sort of container with hot water and put it in with something weighing it down. It's very easy and doesnt leave you with a soaking wet mouse. I stay away from anything that involves a blow dryer or microwave lol

i toss all the rats i need for feeding in an extra tub in my rack, i let them sit in there with the small rats over the heat tape and anything smaller not on the heat tape for about 4 hours or whenever they're fully thawed and not cold to the touch, then i give them a quick blast with the hair dryer and they're ready to go.

what i like about this method is that the hair dryer acts as a pre scenting mechanism and everyone gets excited about their food and is waiting for me to drop their rats in.

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Originally Posted by Raptor

The problem with using hot water to dethaw is it can weaken the stomach wall, and it's rather nasty when the mouse decides to pop while the snake is eating it. Personal experience. Also, if you use too hot of water, it can start cooking the mouse.

I've read different methods about using hot water, including just putting the head in to let the heat rise up. I haven't used that method though.

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Yep, definately had that happen when I use to feed ft. The belly broke open and blood went everywhere. Not the most fun cleanup in the world ;)

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Originally Posted by JohnAvilla

I used to do it that way but a lot of the time when you thaw them too quickly they explode on impact. It is really gross and messy. It is also gross when you have a rodent juice spill. All I do now is leave them on top of my freezer in the morning and then put them under a lamp a few minutes before feeding. No water, no rodent bombs, no mess.

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Lol I havent had that issue in close to 9 years of doing it that way. I never Thaw and re freeze... or leave sitting in nasty water too long. Also make sure your frozen mice arent ages old! lol I might leave them in the hot bags of water for maybe 10 mins? Rats I just put in a 5 Gal bucket with lid and let sit then when the water gets cold repeat step 1. Works for me! sorry bout the rodent bombs! Also if i want them dry i roll em in a towel or paper towel.