what i usually do is i get my the rodents and leave em out after i get back home - then when it’s dark so roughly 5-6+ hrs later i’ll draw up some scalding water and thaw them out this way - I’ll place them in tops up first, let that heat up for 20-30 min, then flip them over with some fresh scalding water, then do it once more again and then they’re all ready to go

personally i think using them within a short time of being outside a feezer is preferable for maximum freshness