First feeding and F/T rat question

[Dramatron]

Yesterday I tried to feed my new BP after having her for two weeks. I thawed out the rat pup in the fridge over the course of the day, then warmed it up in water and subsequently blow-dried it. While I was blow-drying, my shy BP stuck her head out of the hide curiously, looking like she wanted to eat, but whenever I opened the lid she cowered back into her hide. She struck the rat a couple times from within her hide but never latched and coiled. I ended up leaving the rat in the enclosure overnight to see if she would want it on her own terms. When I checked this morning the rat was still there :(

I've heard you can refreeze a F/T rat about once and try to feed it later, but since I heated it up and left it in the enclosure overnight is that still a possibility? I'm planning on trying again next week.

[sho220]

Yesterday I tried to feed my new BP after having her for two weeks. I thawed out the rat pup in the fridge over the course of the day, then warmed it up in water and subsequently blow-dried it. While I was blow-drying, my shy BP stuck her head out of the hide curiously, looking like she wanted to eat, but whenever I opened the lid she cowered back into her hide. She struck the rat a couple times from within her hide but never latched and coiled. I ended up leaving the rat in the enclosure overnight to see if she would want it on her own terms. When I checked this morning the rat was still there

I've heard you can refreeze a F/T rat about once and try to feed it later, but since I heated it up and left it in the enclosure overnight is that still a possibility? I'm planning on trying again next week.

You can usually put it back in the fridge and try one more time, but since you left it out overnight, toss it...

[KMG]

I would not freeze that one again. I have never froze any feeders that have been thawed longer than an hour.

When heating a feeder you need to present it in the range of a live one. A live mouse has a body temp around 100F. I use hot water to do this.

[AlysonAME]

I would never freeze a thawed rat again, the dollar or so you spent on the feeder isn't worth saving if you might get your animal sick.

I feel you go through a lot to thaw a meal, we just put it in hot water for maybe 10 minutes and that sufficiently will thaw and bring it up to temperature in time to feed!

[KMG]

I would never freeze a thawed rat again, the dollar or so you spent on the feeder isn't worth saving if you might get your animal sick.

I feel you go through a lot to thaw a meal, we just put it in hot water for maybe 10 minutes and that sufficiently will thaw and bring it up to temperature in time to feed!

Have you ever tried to re-freeze one?

I speak from experience from doing it many times and have never had a problem. I don't like wasting money no matter the amount.

The important part is not freezing it again after being thawed to long. That's why I won't freeze it after an hour. That is my preference and it has worked well for me. After an hour it gets fed to another that will take it.