Don't thaw in hot water. Your cooking the prey that way an helping the bacteria break down (rot) the prey.
Sounds like you got a bad batch. Thawed prey "should" fell like live or fresh killed. An after being in a water bath shouldn't stink. (Poor quality prey might smell like pee.)
What size is the prey your feeding. I ask because pinks an fuzzies will be mussy. They are more water then protein.
Good luck!
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