Buy frozen ,wait seven days, warm it up, use long tongs, move approx 3-4" slowly in in front or to the side of the snakes head, slowly, when your snake turns to the rat a little, slow up your movement, watch for the snake to smell the air(rat) and move just a little until the snake strikes. After your snake constricts be sure to gently tug the rat as if it were alive with a little faster, progressing to slower movements , then to last breath kinda deal. After a couple of feedings, your good to go. Should use temp gun to check temp on thawed food. I personally think its just another positive use of a temp gun. Better safe than sorry