F/T questions

[CaGirl5]

So here's the story,
When I got my first snake, Kona, a few years ago, she was eating f/t. I bought the mice from petco and I think the company was called Gourmet Rodents? Anyways, their rodents were disgusting! They smelled so bad. They were yellow. I soaked them in hot water to defrost them, their guts would rip through the skin. After a couple months, I just couldn't take it anymore... So I switched to live feeders.
Now since I get Rio, (who is eating f/t) I'm considering switching Kona back to f/t. So here are my questions...

Ordering online. Should I expect the same quality of rodents from online companies? I know that they probably package them better, but is spilling guts and terrible smell just part of feeding f/t?

Is there a method of thawing/heating that's better at preventing the gut spilling? Maybe leaving it out for a couple hours will help?

Thanks!

[karmak]

Did you thaw them in water? you should thaw them in a little baggy in water. I order from glacier rodents. Absolutly perfect <3

[CaGirl5]

Yeah I've tried thawing them directly in the water and in a plastic bag.

[karmak]

Yeah I've tried thawing them directly in the water and in a plastic bag.

Well thats odd, ive had that happen with mice before(pinkies, for my corn when he was a babie) but i always put it straight in the water. I would recomend purchasing some from glacier rodents, i think they are good, work perfectly for my snakes (: but you could always test some online places ect. Good luck! (:

[CaGirl5]

Thank you. I am kinda thinkin' that the Petco ones aren't that great in quality so I was hoping the online ones will be better, but thank you!

[Flikky]

Thank you. I am kinda thinkin' that the Petco ones aren't that great in quality so I was hoping the online ones will be better, but thank you!

I used the Gourmet rodents for a few months. I know what you mean about them being yellow and dirty. Never had guts come out of any frozen feeders though. I ordered from American Rodent Supply and their frozen products are much, much better than Gourmet Rodent. Good luck with your snakes

[CaGirl5]

thank you!