Feeding F/t rats doing something wrong HELP

So I been feeding my snake ft for about 4 weeks now he which over with no problem at all, after he turned down a live rat due to he was about to shed so I waited till that was over and offer him f/t and he took with no problem I am having problem thawing it out tho these pass 3-4 weeks been crazy for me when it feeding time I'm still trying to get it right to thawing it out today I think I got it right far as the temp of the rat cause he took it right away but yet the tail broke off on me once he strike it and rap around the guts came out am I'm thawing out to long for this to happen or can it be just bad Quality rats !!http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...23f99bac25.jpg I also had to use the thong to get the gut that was hanging off him cause he was rubbing his head on the floor trynna get it off and gave him a bath right after feeding cause rat guts was on him he safe and sound back in his tank relaxing now


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

You might be heating them too hot. Sometimes if you heat them too hot they "explode", but in those cases the organs are usually very hot. Like burn-potential hot.

It also happens with rats/mice that are going kind of bad sometimes. Does it spell spoiled/rotting to you?

How are you thawing your rodents?

Honestly bathing him might have stressed him out more. Anyone else have input on that?

Re-reading your post, it sounds like the rodent might be decaying.

The rodents I only had for about 3-4 weeks I brought a 1 pack of 20 they in the freezer my freezer was acting up this morning they was cold and alil frozen but wasn't frozen frozen so I moved them into a different freezer and I thaw it out by leaving it out over not in the little portion zip lock bag it's in then I put it in hot water for like 3-5 mins took it out dryer the rat and bang he took it and guts open up on him and he don't seem stress his behavior is normal and I always move him out the feeding box back into his tank soon he finish ratting been doing that since I had him and I owned him for 4 months now and he only 5 months old


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

In most cases of "rodent explosion" the rodent is thawed too fast using water that is too hot.

The best way to thaw rodents is either overnight in a fridge or during the day at room temps, once thawed you just warm it up with a hair dryer. In the second case it also serve the purpose of scenting which entice the animal to eat.

Caution when thawing especially with larger prey, if done too fast the prey can be thawed on the outside while still froze in the inside which can lead to serious issues.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

In most cases of "rodent explosion" the rodent is thawed too fast using water that is too hot.

The best way to thaw rodents is either overnight in a fridge or during the day at room temps, once thawed you just warm it up with a hair dryer. In the second case it also serve the purpose of scenting which entice the animal to eat.

Caution when thawing especially with larger prey, if done too fast the prey can be thawed on the outside while still froze in the inside which can lead to serious issues.

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So is leaving the rodent in on the table overnight till the next day till like 5-6pm is that too long of having it sit out I doubt that the inside is still frozen and when I put it in hot water it's only in there for 3-5 mins no longer is that is too long of being in the water and I tryed the hair dryer but I haven't had any luck with it so I stop trynna use it cause he was striking at it when I used the hair dryer what are a few sighs that I can look at the frozen rodent and tell it's bad like is there any color different or anything I should look for that would tell me it's bad only time I smell the rodent is when it wet that's all other then that I don't smell anything that's bad smelling


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

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Originally Posted by Damondpeppers

So is leaving the rodent in on the table overnight till the next day till like 5-6pm is that too long of having it sit out I doubt that the inside is still frozen and when I put it in hot water it's only in there for 3-5 mins no longer is that is too long of being in the water and I tryed the hair dryer but I haven't had any luck with it so I stop trynna use it cause he was striking at it when I used the hair dryer what are a few sighs that I can look at the frozen rodent and tell it's bad like is there any color different or anything I should look for that would tell me it's bad only time I smell the rodent is when it wet that's all other then that I don't smell anything that's bad smelling


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

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Either overnight in the fridge or same day during the day a few hours before feeding.

Ok so don't leave out in room temp then Imma try leaving it out the morning of feeding day then and see how that works for me today I finally got him to strike within seconds of it being shown to him the other 3 times it took him like 20 to 30 mins to strike at the prey


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Damondpeppers

Ok so don't leave out in room temp then Imma try leaving it out the morning of feeding day then and see how that works for me today I finally got him to strike within seconds of it being shown to him the other 3 times it took him like 20 to 30 mins to strike at the prey


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

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:confusd::confusd::confusd:


Leave it either in the fridge overnight or at room temp a few hours before feedinf.

Ok


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

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Originally Posted by Deborah

:confusd::confusd::confusd:


Leave it either in the fridge overnight or at room temp a few hours before feedinf.

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Notice the word few. Leaving it out all day is not a good idea.

I thaw and warm with tap water and have never had an issue. Every once and a while a feeder will pop but my snakes have always still eaten them. It all goes to the same place.

Search the forum about feeding in a second enclosure. Its not needed and usually more hassle than good. Research and decide for yourself.

He been eating in a different enclosure since I had him which is 4 months now I will look into that I don't think I want him to eat where he sleep cause of it makes a mess then it's more stuff I gotta clean up from his bedding


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

It is not supposed to make a mess. Once you fix that issue you will see.

I have been thawing the rats in the fridge. I put move them from the freezer to the fridge the night before. When I am ready to feed him the next evening I just take them and put them in a sink full of water as hot as the tap goes (in the ziploc bag of course). After they feel reasonably warm I blow dry them while focusing on the head to increase the heat signature. I haven't had any problems with them popping. I was trying to thaw them from frozen when I was ready to feed him before and was just always concerned that they were either too hot or not fully thawed. The fridge has been working great since I know they are not frozen by the time I warm them and I don't have to use very hot water to bring them to temperature. Have you only had the problem with the rat popping once or is it a regular thing? It could have just been an isolated event, but incorrect thawing can cause that too.

This was the first time it pop on me this bad one other time it's open alil but not a lot the other two times only the tail fell of after he strike and rap around it


1.0 normal Bp #jr [emoji16]

I usually take the rat out around noon or so, and leave it to thaw at room temp for about 5 hours or so. Then I place in a zip bag, and submerge into warm tap water to heat the rat. I've never had one explode, and my BP has never refused. I also feed him in his normal habitat, it order to reduce stress of moving him around before a meal. He's usually in his hide, and pops his head out when he feels the vibrations of my approach. Once I lift the lid, he comes out to search, and stokes quickly.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I thaw mine in a old Tupperware in slightly hot water and let it sit about 30 min until the water cools then check and make sure its soft. I usually gave to flip it so the other side can get heat. Then I empty the water and take the container to the one they feed in, open the bag, and feed the snake. They give me no issues other than taking the rat from the wrong end by accident. I've never had guts come out but I have had gooey slime left behind and then I usually wipe the snake down with a damp cloth before placing back in the enclosure

0.2 Normal

If you feed the snake on Friday morning.

Remove from freezer Thursday night.

Place on top of cage - or in another part of the house that is room temperature.

Feed snake Friday morning.



If you feed the snake on Friday night.

Remove from freezer Friday morning.

Place on top of cage - or in another part of the house that is room temperature.

Feed snake Friday night.


See the pattern? Thaw out beginning 8 to 12 hours ahead of when you feed.


You do not need to use hot water, boiling water, lukewarm water or water at all.

You do not need to remove the snake from the cage.

Slowly thaw, then feed. It's really quite simple....elegantly simple as some may say.

Actually I'm pulling your leg. It's actually incredibly difficult.

Here's how to correctly prep the prey item for feeding:

1. Remove rat from freezer. Note temperature of frozen rat.

2. Place rat in a BPA-free plastic bag.

3. Note ambient temperature of room.

4. Reference Table 7.1 of Conant's Freeze/Thaw Matrix.

5. Make sure you note elevation and planting zone (Sunset Planting Guide).

6. Take the temperature of the frozen rat, add to it the ambient room temperature, divide by the cosine of the angle of repose of the rat's tail.

7. Multiple it by the planting zone you live in.

8. Divide it by the square root of the sum of the numbers in columns four and 8 of the Freeze/Thaw Matrix.

9. Take the number you arrive at in Step #8 and subtract from it the proper coefficient of humidity.

10. This should give you the minimum thawing time.

11. At MTt-4hours, make sure to bend all four limbs so that they are parallel to the 7th cervical vertebrae of the rat.

12. At minimum thaw time, place the prey item on a lace doily in front of the ball python.

13. Any questions?

I'd like to note that the lace doily should be hand crochet and some balls prefer it to be also on a small (properly warmed) silver platter.

The lace doily bit cracked me up. I actually put a "plate" down for him, but more to minimize the risk of him grabbing bedding when he strikes since I feed him in his cage. Still though, every time I do it, even though I realize the reasoning behind it, I can't help but think how spoiled he is. lol

I thought I was the only one who performed step 11!

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

13. Any questions?

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Yes. If I'm feeding them on pine bedding, where do I put the water bowl?

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Originally Posted by 200xth

Yes. If I'm feeding them on pine bedding, where do I put the water bowl?

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Depends on the circumference and depth of the water bowl.