Refreezing?

[shaggy0123]

I just transitioned my boys to f/t. I'm typically pulling the food the night before to thaw in the fridge. Does anyone have experience with low lying a rat will last in the fridge? And/or how soon I should/can refreeze?

[Indy]

Just like any other meat, so quite a while. I wouldn't do it for a month but a few days should be no issue.

[Craiga 01453]

I have never re-frozen prey, but know many people will refreeze one time after a refusal. Once it's thawed a second time toss it if it isn't eaten.

As for how long in the fridge, a few days max. And I always follow the simple rule: "when in doubt, throw it out". It's simply not worth the risk to save two bucks.

You can always throw it outside for a neighborhood cat, raccoon, or something if you don't want to refreeze it

[shaggy0123]

Cool, thanks guys!
The rat was never warmed so I figured it may have a longer shelf life. I wrote a note on the bag so I make sure to check it next deed, just in case.

[tttaylorrr]

Just like any other meat, so quite a while. I wouldn't do it for a month but a few days should be no issue.

^ this

[Bogertophis]

I'm afraid I have to swim in the other lane & just say "don't do this"- it goes against food safety rules and also quality. Re-frozen rodents are gross!

"Germs" don't die in the freezer, they are dormant and grow as the temperature gets more favorable...therefore, you want to keep food (yours or the
snake's) as cold as possible right up until you need to thaw it, then thaw as quickly as possible. If you thaw it and re-freeze it, not only does it get mushy
in texture (& likely to fall apart when re-thawed) but you also just gave it LOTS more germs that might make your snake sick. Remember, even if you
get away with some faulty food techniques with YOUR meat, you also COOK it, & that's going to kill the pathogens so you don't hurl your dinner. Your
unfortunate snake, on the other hand, it going to be eating it raw, in all it's putrid glory.

When I lived in the desert, any "leftover" rodents got tossed to grateful coyotes or buzzards. Never refrigerated or re-frozen & fed to my snakes, never.

[AbsoluteApril]

I also don't re-freeze but have plenty of garbage disposals that will happily take any uneaten thawed rodents. Otherwise they get tossed into the field for the native fauna to enjoy. When I thaw in the fridge (for the large and XL rats for my boas) the longest I do that is 24 hours before they go into the warm water (in bags) and get fed off.

[Sunnieskys]

I never refreeze either. I thaw it during the day, feed at night. If it is there in the morning the crows get a snack. Crows LOVE rats!