What is the best process to unthaw frozen RATS? And..can they be re-frozen?

So I havent ever feed my snakes frozen/thawed....Im gunna try today or tomorrow and want to know the process of unthawing and the process of how to get the snakes to eat them! Also...can I re-freeze them if my snakes dont eat!!:D

I put them in hot water until they're totally thawed, it will depend on the size of the feeder as to how long it will take for it to thaw. I then heat it up with a hairdryer right before I offer it to my snakes so they have a good hotspot on the feeder to aim for (I heat the heads up). I personally don't recommend refreezing already thawed feeders because there's a better chance of the feeder falling apart next feeding (the tissue becomes weak once the meat is thawed then re-frozen) so I just toss them. Always toss them if you leave the feeder in with them overnight IMO.

I like to put them in the refrigerator overnight or put them in a plastic bag immersed in hot water. After that I warm them up with a hair dryer. A tip for somewhat stubborn feeders is to blow the hair dryer over the rat and towards the cage so that the smell of the prey fills their enclosure. After doing this, my boy comes flying out of the tub looking for his food.

As for refreezing, in general it is not a good idea, because the animal decomposes rather quickly. The one time I tried to refreeze, the rats body cavity burst open and its guts went flying everywhere!

Hope this helps!
Benek

hmm...the daily "how do you unthaw rats and can you re-freeze them" thread...

I put mine in the fridge the night before. Then when I go to work in the morning, I set them out in the room to get them to room temperature. Then when it's time to eat, I run a hairdryer over the whole body form about 6 inches away just real briefly just to warm it up. Then I concetrate on the head to get it the hottest part of the body. Once it's warm enough, I present it to the snake.

I thaw mine right in warm water and feed wet after they are completely thawed.

I never re-freeze.

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Originally Posted by sho220

hmm...the daily "how do you unthaw rats and can you re-freeze them" thread...

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Im not really one to complain about repeat questions but if you just search "thawing f/t rodents" you'll get a ton of answers to your question.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

x2
Im not really one to complain about repeat questions but if you just search "thawing f/t rodents" you'll get a ton of answers to your question.

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The whole point of a forum is to ask questions, RIGHT!!! And...people that dont use these forums daily dont know how to search or use the forum properly!!! How about you you types of people that cant answer a simple question to someones thread then dont post on it or dont read it!!!

I personally like having my own thread for my particular questions and/or displaying my reptiles!! So what does it matter to search it, there probably is more answers, but again I prefer my own thread!!! So thanks for your input throwng this whole thread off topic! Thanks! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

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:DAnd to everyone that did answer my question!! Thanks a ton!! I really appreciate it, all your input helped me out a ton!! Wish me luck!!:D

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Originally Posted by Johnny84

The whole point of a forum is to ask questions, RIGHT!!! And...people that dont use these forums daily dont know how to search or use the forum properly!!! How about you you types of people that cant answer a simple question to someones thread then dont post on it or dont read it!!!

I personally like having my own thread for my particular questions and/or displaying my reptiles!! So what does it matter to search it, there probably is more answers, but again I prefer my own thread!!! So thanks for your input throwng this whole thread off topic! Thanks! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

- - - Updated - - -

:DAnd to everyone that did answer my question!! Thanks a ton!! I really appreciate it, all your input helped me out a ton!! Wish me luck!!:D

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Your questions are EXACTLY the same as others and you didnt post any pics of your own herps therefore i find your argument for wanting your own thread invalid. Theres no reason to get butthurt because i was a bit harsh. The search bar is at the top right. It works the same as google. You type in what i said above^ and you hit enter.

Since i dont wanna look like a big meanie here: I personally put the rats in ziploc bags, put them in a coffee can with warm water, and keep draining/refilling the water til the rats are thawed. Usually take 3-4 water changes. You'll find this info though when you search it because ive posted it before. :) :gj:

EDIT: oops forgot to answer the other 2 repeats!
Try zombie dancing first (using tongs to gently shake the rat) in front of them and see if they act interested. If tey dont you can try just leaving it in their enclosure and turning the light off and leaving the room.
I personally do not refreeze but some do. If i thaw any meat i never refreeze it so i wouldnt do that for my snakes either. Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Johnny84

The whole point of a forum is to ask questions, RIGHT!!! And...people that dont use these forums daily dont know how to search or use the forum properly!!! How about you you types of people that cant answer a simple question to someones thread then dont post on it or dont read it!!!

I personally like having my own thread for my particular questions and/or displaying my reptiles!! So what does it matter to search it, there probably is more answers, but again I prefer my own thread!!! So thanks for your input throwng this whole thread off topic! Thanks! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

- - - Updated - - -

:DAnd to everyone that did answer my question!! Thanks a ton!! I really appreciate it, all your input helped me out a ton!! Wish me luck!!:D

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It's been discussed to death, on this forum, and every other BP related forum...

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Originally Posted by sho220

It's been discussed to death, on this forum, and every other BP related forum...

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ANNNNNDDDD??? So what....I hate that there always has to be someone to bash on others threads or posts...theres no need!! We are all here for the same reason....to get info and to give info....not to be rude or harsh...

I'm not sure why people think there is something wrong with re-freezing. It actually breaks down the tissue more and give a real pungent smell which some snakes really like. From what I have always been told it is fine to do it once, after that you need to trash them. I have been told this by many professional breeders. I do it myself and have never seen a problem with it.

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Originally Posted by hitman3303

I'm not sure why people think there is something wrong with re-freezing. It actually breaks down the tissue more and give a real pungent smell which some snakes really like. From what I have always been told it is fine to do it once, after that you need to trash them. I have been told this by many professional breeders. I do it myself and have never seen a problem with it.

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I have been told the same thing, but have told that re-freezing isnt good by friends of mine! I just wanted to get your guys thoughts on doing it! So is it just maybe a personal prefrence?

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Originally Posted by hitman3303

I'm not sure why people think there is something wrong with re-freezing. It actually breaks down the tissue more and give a real pungent smell which some snakes really like. From what I have always been told it is fine to do it once, after that you need to trash them. I have been told this by many professional breeders. I do it myself and have never seen a problem with it.

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There probably isnt anything wrong with it but i would hate for some weird bacterial growth to start on it and kill my snake or something. Its not worth the $1.50 or whatever the rat cost me to take even a mild risk like that. I dont do it with my food so i dont do it with my snakes food. Its just me.

Kinda like how some people never ever take their snakes outside, but i dont really see a problem with it... Just a matter of opinion.

EDIT: i should also add that its VERY rare for me to have a refusal so its not like im throwing out a bunch of rats. When i do have to get rid of one i toss it outside for a critter to eat.

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Originally Posted by hitman3303

I'm not sure why people think there is something wrong with re-freezing. It actually breaks down the tissue more and give a real pungent smell which some snakes really like. From what I have always been told it is fine to do it once, after that you need to trash them. I have been told this by many professional breeders. I do it myself and have never seen a problem with it.

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What pro breeders do it?

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

What pro breeders do it?

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No "well known" major breeders, just ones in my local area. Some that I talked to at MD reptile shows etc. I wouldn't want to make it seem as though they told me "you better do it", more like if you do it, it is fine.

And I agree with you about the personal preference, it really comes down to what you feel comfortable with. The bacterial or fungal growth shoudl be pretty non existent with the freezing process. And when I do it, I just refreeze for no more than a week. After that it gets trashed regardless. I do have some newer snakes that have refused so i have wasted a couple.

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Originally Posted by hitman3303

No "well known" major breeders, just ones in my local area. Some that I talked to at MD reptile shows etc. I wouldn't want to make it seem as though they told me "you better do it", more like if you do it, it is fine.

And I agree with you about the personal preference, it really comes down to what you feel comfortable with. The bacterial or fungal growth shoudl be pretty non existent with the freezing process. And when I do it, I just refreeze for no more than a week. After that it gets trashed regardless. I do have some newer snakes that have refused so i have wasted a couple.

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Ya i gotcha :gj:

I was just curious. Like i said its probably fine, i just dont do it.