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Post by maddiesmom on Jun 30, 2010 14:40:31 GMT -5
Picture this: I take a big *gulp* and a deep breath. I'm ready. Okay, more seriously... I think I am ready to take the plunge and start using Much more whole prey in the fuzzy's diets. I've been feeding them (started with Izzy) 100% raw for over a year now (and I've fed Maddie raw for YEARS ) but this is the first time I've ever tried whole prey. The credit goes 100% to you guys, and Murtagh's breeder... she sent us home with two bags of chicks. Of course, I am still grossed out about it, but I'm getting better... and I've learned how to "manage" it without touching it LOL AND if I ever go on vacation, my roommates can also tolerate it All four have already had the chicks, and they eat them like candy! I think I'd like to try mice next. I know Murtagh has had mice before, and obviously the girls have not. Do you think they'd learn from seeing him eat it? Peyton was the first to try the chicks, but she's the first to try everything. The other two only started to eat the chicks after getting a bite off of what Pey left all mangled and non-chick resembling. Also, how often can I give these? I know I shouldn't feed too many chicks too often because they don't have that much calcium... but the mice? I'm going to see if they have any locally to try... otherwise I'll be ordering from rodentpro TIA!
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Post by horse656 on Jun 30, 2010 18:42:21 GMT -5
it depends on the age of the mice. the younger(pinkies and whatnot) the less good stuff in them, like calcium. adults are fine though. Pebbles my younger girl, when i put in the mouse, she was all over it, and ate it so fast. Belle on the other hand wasn't so eager about it but did eat it. so it guess it just depends on you're brats.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jun 30, 2010 20:46:32 GMT -5
To get mine to eat mice(they started with them, instead of chicks), I had to use pinkies, chopped up, and mixed in with their raw. It sounds nastier than it actually is . I chopped them frozen(it's easy), without actually really looking at them, Then just graduated to whole ones, then hoppers, then adults. Try them with whole mice first, since they'll likely be the easiest to get locally, and they may indeed pick up on it by watching Murtagh. But if they don't, try the pinkies.
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Post by katt on Jul 10, 2010 14:32:30 GMT -5
That is what I did too. I put in whole mice pinkies though. Then rat pinkies chopped and then whole. Then I added the tiniest fuzzies I could find, then hoppers...etc. To start live, Koda was already eating them f/t. I first put him in with some pinkies bc he'd been eating them the longest. He ate those, but it took him a while since they don't move much. The next time I put in some large hoppers and he ate them right away. Since then his hunting skills have improved and he goes crazy for whole prey live or f/t. Good luck!
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Post by maddiesmom on Jul 11, 2010 15:47:00 GMT -5
I just placed another order. I still have chicks, I ordered Mice pinkys and young adults, and on a whim rabbit pinkies. Wish me luck lol! I'll let you know how it goes;)
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Post by sherrylynne on Jul 11, 2010 15:54:12 GMT -5
What I found really funny with mine is that although they adore mice/rat pinkies, as well as rabbit meat, when I gave them the rabbit pinkies they all accepted them, took them to the back of the cage, placed them on the floor, and then came back looking at me as if to say "Thanks for the gifts mamma- now where's our supper?"
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Post by maddiesmom on Jul 12, 2010 14:13:10 GMT -5
LOL oh great they go crazy overthe rabbit, so I'm hoping they'll take to it. The good thing is, whatever try don't eat the dogs usually will. I finally got some whole fish for the dogs - I'm too picky I've been told. I'll have to cut some for the ferts to try, they're pretty big. I'd very much prefer them to have fresh fish compared to canned. My order gets here tomorrow (pretty fast!) hope there's enough room in the freezer
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 20, 2010 3:45:15 GMT -5
Congrats on taking the plunge. I know the idea of it is gross, but I guarantee you will be so pleased with the end results.
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Post by rarnold18 on Jul 20, 2010 5:43:59 GMT -5
if you want cheap fresh fish...go to the bait store for minnows,shiners, or shad, they're the perfect size for fuzz
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Post by maddiesmom on Jul 22, 2010 14:44:46 GMT -5
The fish was a big fail. but they like the rabbit pinkies!! so, our menu now includes rabbit pinkies, mice, and chicks along with the regular rabbit, chicken, chc, beef, etc etc WOW I'm so surprised for myself lol
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Post by sherrylynne on Jul 23, 2010 13:06:50 GMT -5
That is wonderful!!! So glad everything(but the fish) was such a huge success
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