Problem with f/t rat

[sho220]

I recently offered my snakes their first f/t rat. The hemostats I use cut right through the rat's tail. Also, once thawed the rat wasn't soft and meaty as I'm used to with f/t mice. Instead the rat was kind of stiff. My question is, I'm wondering if all of this is normal for f/t rats? Mine have been in the freezer about a year, and they don't smell like they've gone bad or anything.

Use the hemostats to pinch the rats skin right between his shoulder blades and offer that way...A year is a bit on the long end of what I'd keep in the freezer...maybe a little freezer burn going on?