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Post by optimo on Aug 12, 2008 6:55:15 GMT -5
swisher and Wo finally decided to try the frozen pinkies i put in thier bowl. I put some ferretvite on it and they ate the whole thing i believe. its only been abut 4 days and they are already eating fuzzies. im not sure what to do i havent feed whole prey so how much should i be givivng them and what other food?
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Post by Heather on Aug 12, 2008 10:00:16 GMT -5
Hi I'm going to give a snap at this for you. I copied part of Kim's message on another to help you out. I'm sure she will hop in later and give you a hand. I feed rats so that's no help to you as far as quantities. My guys view mice as snacks. Now this message also involved hunting. I'm not sure if you feed more or less because of expended energy, I wouldn't think that would be a huge variable. One of the problems that is always involved is that there is also a trial and error regarding feeding. Too much, they stash (I allow this as it's natural but some don't want this to happen)...not enough they get skinny. "Start with very young baby mice (pinkies) about 3 to four per ferret per meal. When they are killing and eating these well, progress to fuzzies, again about 3 to 4 per ferret per meal. After fuzzies offer them hoppers, two to three per ferret per meal. Its best to put the hoppers and ferret in an enclosed space like a large rubber maid bin or a bathtub. After they are adept at killing the hoppers and eating them move to juvenile mice. Usually two per ferret per meal. Also offer the juvenile mice in an enclosed area. Once they are dispatching and devouring the juveniles well, now you can offer adult mice. Usually one per ferret per meal, unless you have a large ferret and then they might be able to devour two adult mice per meal." Kim ;D Anyway, this should give you something to go on until Kim comes on board and helps you out further Good luck, looks like you're going forward by leaps and bounds...great stuff. See you around. ciao
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Post by Forum Administrator on Aug 12, 2008 13:28:53 GMT -5
Congratulations! Im thrilled to hear that they are finally eating mice! Looks like if ya keep this up I will have to change the "Raw Feeder" title under your name to "Raw/Whole Prey Feeder" I hope so! Whole prey is EXCELLENT as the sole diet or as an addition to a raw diet.
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Post by josiesmom on Aug 12, 2008 20:26:27 GMT -5
HI Optimo! Oh that is terrific! Whole prey is superb for your ferrets! Getting them onto pinkies and then progressing up the ladder to adult prey is a wonderful way to offer them the best nutrition possible! Basically with pinkies the ferret will let you know how many they'll eat in one sitting. As long as they keep looking for more- I feed them to them! Am assuming the pinkies are totally thawed? You might also get them to eat more if the pinkies are warmed slightly. I use a bowl of hot water for this - do NOT put the pinkies in the microwave for heating up, or for that matter ANY food fed to a ferret. Often the interior of the food can get extremely hot while the outside is still cool. the ferret bites into the meaty item, gets burned and now will avoid eating the meat. I can't really add any more than what Heather clipped for you. Except to offer a reminder that pinkies and hoppers are the stepping stones to whole prey your ferret will not get a full compliment of nutrients from such adolescent prey. Ideally if all goes well, they'll be on adult mice within a week or two! Then you can branch out to other types of whole prey as well as keep offering a variety of raw meaty bones to round out their diet. I am very happy for you that they are becoming REAL ferrets! You deserve a pat on the back! Cheers, Kim
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