Rascal, Lars, Dax, Teddy, and Fang go raw

[josiesmom]

Jul 28, 2008 13:11:14 GMT -5 whipple said:

Last time I gave her bones she ate most of them, but not all. Lars ate most of the bones on his chicken last night!!! And to top off the success, she ate most of her mouse last night. She left a bit of skin behind, but that's it. Rascal is moving along quite quickly now.

That's the way they seem to go, they are resistant to change at first, then tentatively try the new offerings then all of a sudden *click* the carnivore switch turns on and they are like - "Ooh that tastes good, is there more?"

Good for you!
Cheers,
Kim

[whipple]

I'm surprised at how quickly they're coming along. I guess I kinda expected it at first, but now reading other's progress it seems that it tends to take a bit longer.
Tonight we took them out for a run in the field by our place. I think it was Lars' first time out. Rascal had been outside many times before and had fun digging in dirt. When we got home they both went right to sleep. Hopefully when they wake up they will empty their bowls.

[whipple]

Jul 28, 2008 21:05:22 GMT -5 wmella85 said:

just one word of caution though, you should only feed one egg per ferret per week. in small doses egg is a good thing, but too much too much egg can lead to a biotin deficiancy. and that wouldnt be good!

No worries Giuli told me about it long ago after I asked.

[whipple]

Bah! No empty bowls today. I didn't even get around to checking them till late due to my head being in such a spin. So they can have soup tonight. And no kibble topping. I think Lars licked off the kibble and said no more! He didn't do that last time with soup. He ate it all without any enticing. Not sure why I did the enticing yesterday. I'll let you know how it goes.
Tonight they also move into a new cage. We just got a Midwest cage yesterday, and Matt finished building the huge dresser one. Yay! More room to roam.

[whipple]

So this morning Rascal ate her Pork chunks, but not all of them. She did eat about 75% of them though, so I am pleased. Lars ate all of his soup this morning. So both of them got soup tonight. Both finished it in record time, so they got more. I just looked to check if they had finsihed it and the funniest thing. Lars was picking up his empty bowl, put it into his litterbox and then proceeded to dig under the litterbox. Funny guy. But they have now finished their second bowls too! At least I know they enjoy the soup.
I have decided to keep them on the soup for a bit, especially since I am going away this weekend, it is easier to have someone give them soup then to package meals that they may not eat. So I will be adding chunks to the soup sometime next week. I will also be weighing the both of them again next week. If I hadn't mentioned it, Lars was 2 lbs or so, and Rascal was 1 1/4 lbs. So we'll see if anything changes there.

[whipple]

So I made up some soup for them. I made it rather chunky, I think my blender is on strike. It used to crush up bones like nothing. So I took apart a stewing hen, ton of bone on her, and tossed that to blend. Added a porkchop (no bone) and ground beef. Mixed it all together (by hand, the grossest thing ever) and will be storing it in little single serve baggies.
So far they are not huge fans of the chunkiness, but I know they will try it later. I guess it's not quite soupy enough now.
I'm going to give Rascal her second mouse tonight. They weren't packaged well at the store so I want to get them all used up quickly.

[josiesmom]

When mixing the gooey mashed mixture - don't use your hands- use a potato masher instead! they'll get used to the bigger chunks when they realize the soup isn't forthcoming! sometimes reverting back to what they are comfortable too quickly will only encourage them to hold out a little longer.

They'll explore the chunks after they've lapped up the broth.

Cheers,
Kim

[whipple]

Ok, so I'm going to add the info for the new guys and update on Rascal and Lars.

1. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names, ages, genders, and do they have any health problems?

I have 5 ferrets. Rascal and Lars. No health problems evident. I just got my new three boys. Dax, Teddy, and Fang are all males, I was told around 1 yo. They seem very healthy. Except that Teddy is deaf, but this is nothing. He seems to listen better to my tapping on the floor then the others will to my voice.

2. What are your ferrets currently eating? What Kind of diet do you want to switch to?

They are currently eating Before Grain catfood. I want them switched to a raw/whole prey diet.

3. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?

All the boys, including Lars, are hovering around 2 1/2 lbs each. Rascal is 1 1/2 lbs. Both Rascal and Lars have gained weight, and they seem far more fit. I can no longer feel her ribs like I could when she first came home. They could all gain a bit more mucsle, but they also need to be getting out more to run around. With Rascal and Lars they get bored when out and just go back to sleep. Now they have more ferts to keep them up.

4. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)

They all seem to have clean, white teeth. I have yet to really look at the new boys teeth.

5. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.

Rascal is getting such a full coat now, but still wiry. Not shedding more then what is normal. Lars always had a very white coat, it still is and hasn't seemed to change much in texture. Teddy is so smooth and soft. He is a sable with heavy white marks. He has a blaze and a bib and mitts. Dax is a champange I think. He is very light compared to the others. He has white toes and a white bib, but he does have a mask. Fang is a DEW, I'm sure. His eyes are not as ruby as Lars. And his coat is a bit less white too.

6. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?

Rascal and Lars are not going so often as before, maybe every few hrs when they are awake. It seems like they go when they wake up and only once during paytime. The new guys, I'm not so sure, but more often then Rascal and Lars.

7. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?

Lars smelled rather raunchy before, but now it is far less smelly. This is if I get too close to it. Rascal's never really smelled "bad". I haven't got really close to the new guys litter box, but so far i haven't smelled anything beyond normal here.

8. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?

Rascal and Lars smell like hair. I can have them near my face and in my hands and I tend to forget to wash my hands afterwards because I just can't smell anything strong. They new guys, wow! They smelled like pet store ferrets. If i didn't know better I'd be bathing them, but I don't need more stink.

9. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?

Rascal is getting to about a 7-8 outside the cage. Inside she's sleeping so I don't think its fair to judge that. Lars is always at least a 5, I swear even when he's sleeping. Outside the cage he is at least 8-9. The other three are about 6-8. But I have to see them out more when they're not just exploring. Teddy is a lounger, and such a cuddlebug, but when Dax and him were playing they were around 7-8, otherwise he's like an old dog. Dax is a bit more energetic, I think due to not being deaf. Fang is evil, at least an 8. A 9 when he's chasing you around the room.

10. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?

Rascal hasn't been fed kibble in awhile, but she gets so excited over food, and is now hanging around the kitchen entrance when she's hungry Lars is not so enthusiastic about food, unless it is kibble. He found some crumbs on a table from when I dusted his soup and he ate it up like he was starving.
The other three were very happy to see the food dish this morning, and they gobbled it right up.

11. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?

I might not be keeping Fang, but i want to get him accustomed to some raw before he is rehomed. He will also have an ADV test before he is rehomed.
Dax seemed interested in the soup, especially after he seen Rascal so excited over it.
I think Fang might be deaf or at least hard of hearing. He gets scared easily, and this morning he didn't wake up until i touched him. Even clapping, and jingling a bell right by his ear did not wake him. But touching him woke him. So this might have something to do with his biting. He was returned to the pet store several times due to biting, and the former owners got him for free as long as they did not return him. Poor guy.

[josiesmom]

Poor Fang, this happens a lot to deaf ferrets. Before touching him when he is sleeping, try to get him to awaken by blowing softly on him, vibrating the hammock, or tugging on his blanket. I think its great that you've opened your home to these kids and will be introducing them to a natural diet!

Cheers,
Kim

[whipple]

So I have tried soaked kibble with the new boys and they all take to it. Fang and Dax even go right after the soup, Teddy is a bit more hesitant.Lars is in with the three boys and so is getting "baby" food too. But I do give him and Dax chunks since they will eat that.
Rascal will eat meat right off the bone but she is ignoring the bone. Great. How can I get her more interested in the bone?

Last night I put Dax and Rascal in the tub and played Tug with them with a chicken leg. I think Rascal is just anti-social. She ends up fighting with everyone (except Teddy cuz he can ignore her), is this usually the case when a ferret isn't around any other ferrets for a long time? I was told she's about 2 yrs old.

[josiesmom]

That's great that the new kids are showing interest!

"Rascal will eat meat right off the bone but she is ignoring the bone. Great. How can I get her more interested in the bone?"

Time will help, you might also try cutting into the bone so she can smell and taste the marrow within. Smashing the bone with a hammer too will help, but a good strong pair of poultry shears will cut through cornish game hen bones and smaller chicken wing bones.

Rascal may never get over her "independence". Ferrets by their true nature are NOT social creatures - they are solitary. We humans breed for more social temperaments, because we like to keep more than one of these charming critters. A ferret that has spent considerable time by itself, may just prefer it that way. My Faylene is not social with any of my other ferrets and gets into outright fights with Fizzle and sometimes Bugsy. Mostly she keeps to herself and ignores everyone else. I make sure to spend one on one time with her and offer her individual playtime so she gets exercise and isn't left out.

All you can do is monitor Rascal with the other ferrets and separate them if the fights get serious enough to cause fear poops. She may just end up being a loner ferret.

Cheers,
Kim

[whipple]

Ok, thanks. I was worried she'd be missing out by not interacting with anyone else. She does like to hang out with me though and just chill out.
Next time I give her a bone I'll smash it or something. She did eat part of one before, but has since stopped. Maybe if I strip the bone of most meat then give her he bone first before the meat she'd be more willing to try. What do you think?

[whipple]

So I found out Dax is loving meat. He is eating hearts and gizzards with no issue. Fang is checking it out, he's very interested, just not ready yet. He is eating the mush really good. I have mixed their mush with kibble, and they are all far more interested now.
Lars is now eating meat right off the bone without cutting it up, although he much prefers it cut up first. But so does Rascal.

[josiesmom]

You might try offering her a bone that has the meat cut very close to it, so she has to scrape against the bone to get the meat off. Wing tips from Cornish hens and sardine bones are great introductory bones. Also Cornish Game hen ribs and their backs are great and easy to chew bones with good meaty flavor!

I think your kids are doing great! They'll soon be devouring practically anything that you offer them! Its kind of like rolling a boulder down hill - it takes great effort to push the boulder to the edge but once it starts rolling it gathers speed. Sometimes the boulder takes a different path, but it still rolls down the hill! Your guys are rolling along well!

Cheers,
Kim

[whipple]

So we are broke. We had some money issues and now are broke. I am currently buying groceries on a zellers credit card, and they do not sell raw meat. So I am offering kibble and what I have left of soup for now. But I did buy Sardines, they gobbled those up, everyone did, even after they had started on the kibble. I was so proud.
Lars is alone now though. Lars and Rascal hate each other. I knew that, but Rascal gets along with the three boys. Lars is just a loner. I'm still getting to know them all. Anyhow, I gave him a half a chicken leg, and he ate all the meat off the bone, and most of the bone. He's already rollin' on past Rascal!
I was wondering, does this seem "normal"? Lars was given a half a chicken leg. The first time it was the least meaty half, and there is no evidence of it in the cage. This time he was given the other half and a tiny bit of the bone is left. Do you think that he is full on half a leg? He is 2 1/2 lbs. I gave Rascal a whole leg, a few days ago now, and she ate *most* of the meat, leaving a thin layer and didn't touch the bone. Do you think she would eat the bone if she were still hungry? Maybe thats why Lars had barely any resistance to eating the bone. How much should I be giving them for a "meal", since if I give too much they refuse to touch the bone, and if I give too litlle how do i know to give more? I'm all over the place with this question(s), I hope it's understandable.