Any tips on not wasting rats when my BP is off feeding?

[Rusky]

What I do with mine is while the rat is still frozen I take it and a hair dryer and hold the frozen rat over the cage (I have a screen top) I turn the hair dryer on low and blow it on the rat and into the cage. I know it sounds crazy, but I kept trying to figure out how to not waste the thawed rat. So the scent of the rat even though frozen will blow into the cage and I can see if my female comes out of her hide. If she does I take that as she is interested, if she doesn't I put it back in the freezer. It works for me.

I would agree with you but but acts very interested in it but doesn't strike. I'm using the same type of rat I always do and heating it the same way I always do - let it thaw during the day and blow drying it warm.

You cannot refreeze rats like that. Think about why you can't refreeze chicken or steak or pork and then apply that to a rat.

Honestly, when your BP is off feed, I would learn the routine. I have a BP that goes off feed every single October/November ish and then comes back on feed anywhere from February to April. After his first refusal, I don't offer food anymore until February. If he doesn't take it in February. I wait til March to try again. If he doesn't take it in March, I wait til April. Once he starts eating, I feed weekly. It works well and he doesn't waste as much food this way.

Star

This is my first year with her, 11 months, so I haven't had a chance to learn her routine. But clearly it is something that I will have to do going forward, thanks.