After thawing, I used a hairdryer for a few seconds on high heat right before offering the prey item. BPs have heat pits that detect thermo signals (essentially heat vision) so the hair dryer helps sell the idea that the F/T rodent still "looks" alive.
As for eventually upgrading from mice to rats, for several transitional feedings I put a mouse in a bag with a rat while thawing to mix the scents. I gave the mouse to my chickens as they'll eat anything, but you can otherwise just dispose of the mouse. Burying it next to a plant/tree if possible would be a good way to not let the body go to waste.
With both of these techniques my BP went from live to F/T and then mice to rats without a hitch.
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