Part frozen rats what should I do

[Alba]

Bit of advice
so ordered 10 rats today from the rep store they shut at 4:30 so assuming they got them out the freezer as they left they got to my house at about 6 they were part defrosted some more than others but none completely as you can imagine I wasn’t very happy and he was gone before I realized so got them straight on the freezer I’m going to ring them tomorrow and mention my concern I hope they will replace but if not and they say they will be fine. I would like your thoughts if they will they be ok to use.
I know when they get above 40degrres the bacteria start to multiply (I think that’s right). Just want some opinions. if they were completely thawed I would not use them and would be demanding a new bunch. I don’t want to make a deal out of nothing when I ring them tomorrow as I’m recently new to this. I wouldn’t be so worried if it was some beef or lamb for my own consumption but wouldn’t do it with prawns etc. so a-bit unsure.
Hope this makes sense
cheers

[Bogertophis]

If they were still ice-cold enough to be partly frozen, I would think they're not likely to be spoiled, & be OK to re-freeze promptly & feed as needed.

If, however, your snake tells you otherwise (be refusing to eat them), you might defer to their expertise on the subject, as I personally have never eaten a rat, lol, spoiled or otherwise. (Seriously, snakes have a very keen nose & most will refuse spoiled rodents.)

The proper temperature of a refrigerator for our use is 40*, & food certainly can spoil at 40* or even less. Basically a freezer should stay about 0* but at that, bacteria is not killed, it just cannot multiply. In between 0* to 40* is a gray zone, so the colder the rats stayed & the longer they stayed that cold, the better (safer). As you said, if it was your food you might not worry so much- and one main difference is that your food is cooked & that kills most (if rare) or all the bacteria (if well done). The other difference is that our food is just "meat", not the whole animal with guts & all that's FULL of bacteria just waiting for a bit more warmth to proliferate. You're right to be concerned.

I'd let the seller know, as this should not have happened, they should have been packed well enough to remain frozen...that's a reasonable expectation on your part.

[PartySnake13]

Bit of advice
so ordered 10 rats today from the rep store they shut at 4:30 so assuming they got them out the freezer as they left they got to my house at about 6 they were part defrosted some more than others but none completely as you can imagine I wasn’t very happy and he was gone before I realized so got them straight on the freezer I’m going to ring them tomorrow and mention my concern I hope they will replace but if not and they say they will be fine. I would like your thoughts if they will they be ok to use.
I know when they get above 40degrres the bacteria start to multiply (I think that’s right). Just want some opinions. if they were completely thawed I would not use them and would be demanding a new bunch. I don’t want to make a deal out of nothing when I ring them tomorrow as I’m recently new to this. I wouldn’t be so worried if it was some beef or lamb for my own consumption but wouldn’t do it with prawns etc. so a-bit unsure.
Hope this makes sense
cheers

I suggest returning them as early as possible, you received a substandard product.


It sounds like you had the rodents delivered? Whoever delivered the rodents to you should have had an icebox to keep them completely frozen during transportation.

[vivi]

You've got every right to get a refund or return them. If you're buying frozen rodents, you should always have the expectation that they arrive frozen.

[EL-Ziggy]

If they were still partially frozen I think you'll be fine. You might want to consider another supplier or ordering online going forward.

[Alba]

If they were still ice-cold enough to be partly frozen, I would think they're not likely to be spoiled, & be OK to re-freeze promptly & feed as needed.

If, however, your snake tells you otherwise (be refusing to eat them), you might defer to their expertise on the subject, as I personally have never eaten a rat, lol, spoiled or otherwise. (Seriously, snakes have a very keen nose & most will refuse spoiled rodents.)

The proper temperature of a refrigerator for our use is 40*, & food certainly can spoil at 40* or even less. Basically a freezer should stay about 0* but at that, bacteria is not killed, it just cannot multiply. In between 0* to 40* is a gray zone, so the colder the rats stayed & the longer they stayed that cold, the better (safer). As you said, if it was your food you might not worry so much- and one main difference is that your food is cooked & that kills most (if rare) or all the bacteria (if well done). The other difference is that our food is just "meat", not the whole animal with guts & all that's FULL of bacteria just waiting for a bit more warmth to proliferate. You're right to be concerned.

I'd let the seller know, as this should not have happened, they should have been packed well enough to remain frozen...that's a reasonable expectation on your part.

Thanks for reply
also she has been fed only on mice up to now so this next feed would be her first rat so possibly could refuse feed anyway even though she is a fantastic eater so If she does refuse I couldn’t be 100% sure that she’s Just not ate it because of the change. I’m going to call store and ask for some new FROZEN rats. Thanks again for helping me make my mind up and saving me some stress if she decides to turn her nose up at it