We started out doing frozen thawed, thought it would be easier. Turns out its more of a pita to me at least. Gotta keep rodents in my freezer, mess around with thawing them, mess aroumd trying to make them look alive so snake will eat. Much easier to just drop a live one in. You do have to watch, until snake has coiled and rat is dead. You have to stand my with tongs at hand ready to intercept. Don't ever leave them alone. Unless it is a young snake, and a blind rat pup. Imo so much easier to stop at store once a week, and have feed day.