I have not tried the big tubs with the rats. I just use large glass aquariums with screen lids that sit on top, so chewing is never an issue and ventilation is fine. They get aspen bedding, just like my snakes.
As far as pre-killing rats, the easy way is to double grocery bag the rat, tie up the bag and then give it a good whack against the wall. I know it sounds a little brutal, but is completely instant with no mess at all.... faster death than it would have being constricted by the python. If that sounds too brutal, though, you can set up a CO2 chamber for euthanizing them. I have not tried it, but I bet a search on this site would tell you exactly how to set one up.
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