I think many would agree we've all been through this starting out.

I've heard and have used some methods below:

Oven on PRE-heat
Microwave on Defrost
Leaving out for half a day
Out in the sun
In a warm room (Boiler Room)
Hot Water

and many more... lol


The most convenient way for me these days (efficient, fast, safe) is to drop them in a tub of hot water.

Some leave them in the bag, some don't.

You would start with cool-warm water, than make it hotter each time you change the water, let's say every 5-15 minutes.

Too hot initially can kind of freezer burn them.

Their stomachs and soft parts will deteriorate while the meat and thick parts are still frozen.

Then you're left with a cold rat with a hot, exploded stomach.. lol.. not fun.



I would do something like this...
Throw them in a large tub with warm water.
5 minutes later, make it hot.
5-10 minutes later, hotter.

Unless they are large-jumbo, they usually are ready in half hour, sometimes less.

They also soften up so you can switch them to a smaller bin halfway through the process.

I simply pass the rat through my hand to lightly roll off ay excess moisture.

The rat still is a bit wet, but not dripping. The snake also gets the benefit of that bit of water still on him.

My snakes have NO problem taking them like this.
Even my ball pythons take f/t rats this way!


I'm sure you will get lots of equally valid ways to do this from other members.


Hope this helps.

Best Wishes, Joe
-----
Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

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