Frank The (RAW FOOD) Tank

[tss]

Sounds like he is doing awesome!!

Unless he is getting boney you don't need to worry about no more weight gain. And you don't need to worry about feeding him extra because of the fur on the mice, but you should feed him as much as he will eat.

[Forum Administrator]

Excellent! Might want to place an order with rodentpro to cut down on thoe mouse costs

Could you please post a sample "feeding schedule" of what you feed Frank each week? Its okay if it varies from week to week, but what does his diet generally look like? For example MONDAY: blah blah blah TUESDAY: blah blah blah. We just want to make sure Frank is getting the right "balance" of food

[karmaghost]

I can post what Franks been eating over the past few weeks in the next post.

I just placed an order on RodentPro for $300 :0

But I tallied up everything and it should be AT LEAST 100 days worth of food for a 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) Ferret. That equals out to $3 per day which is more expensive than raw chicken but only by a dollar or so. I actually ordered more than I think he needs since I had space in the shipment, so when I run out I will post a follow-up message.

I've posted what I ordered on here so everyone can see how much 1 ferret eats/costs on the whole prey diet. I actually ordered 1 bag of each size of mouse and my plan is to give him one of each every day, plus some raw chicken/pork/etc so I can always go back to feeding raw if I run out of mice. I got some quail for variety. Unfortunately they are sold out of chicks so I'm going to give frank chicken wings on occasion until I get some.

Here's my order -

100 Mice: Extra Small Pinkies @$0.150 ($15.00)
100 Mice: Small Pinkies @$0.150 ($15.00)
100 Mice: Large Pinkies @$0.120 ($12.00)
100 Mice: Peach Fuzzies @$0.140 ($14.00)
100 Mice: Fuzzies @$0.180 ($18.00)
100 Mice: Hoppers @$0.280 ($28.00)
100 Mice: Weanlings @$0.380 ($38.00)
100 Mice: Large Adults @$0.430 ($43.00)
75 Mice: Extra Large Adults (XL) @$0.530 ($39.75)
100 Quail: 1 day @$0.190 ($19.00)
25 Quail: 1 Week @$0.640 ($16.00)

Sub-Total: $257.75

*S&H: $42.45
Order Total: $300.20

[tss]

Whoa! That's a LOT of mice!! That should last MUCH more then 100 days! That is probably just about enough to last a year!

[Forum Administrator]

Just wanted to check in and see how Frank is doing What are the food items that Frank normally eats? I'm happy to hear about the rodent pro order. That is GREAT that you are getting him onto the whole prey. I look forward to your response.

[karmaghost]

I have about four weeks of Frank's menu before I got the Rodent Pro Order.

Monday - 98g Chicken
Tuesday - 39g Chicken Liver, 92g Turkey Neck, 52g Chicken
Wednesday - 6 Crickets, 1 Turkey Neck
Thursday - 150g Chicken
Friday - 75g Chicken
Saturday - 55g Turkey Neck, 8 Crickets
Sunday - 1 Adult Mouse, 1 Chicken Wing Tip, 1 Chicken Wingette

Monday - 50g Beef Liver, 50g Pork, 1 Chicken Wingette
Tuesday - 1 Adult Mouse, 1 Chicken Wing Tip, 1 Chicken Wingette
Wednesday - 50g Beef Liver, 1 Chicken Wingette
Thursday - 50g Pork, 46g Cornish Hen Wing, 88g Cornish Hen
Friday - 108g Cornish Hen
Saturday - 114g Cornish Hen
Sunday - 120g Cornish Hen, 1 Cornish Hen Gizzard Bag

Monday - 122g Cornish Hen
Tuesday - 1 Adult Mouse, 50g Pork
Wednesday - 112g Cornish Hen
Thursday - 50g Pork, 1/2 Mouse
Friday - 1 Whole Chicken Wing, 1/2 Mouse
Saturday - 50g Pork, 1 Whole Chicken Wing
Sunday - 6 Fuzzies, 50g Pork

Monday - Turkey Neck, 1 Mouse, 50g Pork
Tuesday - 3 Adult Mice
Wednesday - 50g Pork, 4 Chicken Wingettes
Thursday - 23 Pinkies
Friday - Chicken Thigh
Saturday - Chicken Thigh
Sunday - Chicken Thigh

[karmaghost]

Frank really really REALLY loves eating the Peach Fuzzies and the Pinkies. He doesn't even care if they're not fully defrosted - lol. I make sure to feed him at east one Adult mouse per day. He ate 3 quail yesterday. He likes them a lot too

Thank you so much for helping me switch Frank to a natural diet. Frank is really happy and healthy and I know he's going to live as long as possible.

In about six months (maybe for Frank's 1st Birthday) I'm thinking about getting a ferret buddy for Frank. So I will have to go through this whole thing again, but it should be a lot easier after having already done it once.

[tss]

The menu looks good to me

It's great to hear that he is doing so well.

You don't want to feed too many young mice or quail because they aren't mature and are very low in calcium.

I was glad to help you, and hopefully you will be able to get another fuzz monster for Frank, I'll be happy to help with switching it if you need help.

[Forum Administrator]

I'm thrilled you have come this far! Can I get a few clarifications on his schedule though? When you say "chicken" what does that mean? Does it mean wings, legs, thighs, necks, backs, tails, breasts?

And with the game hen, how much does he usually eat? The whole thing (I'd be shocked if he did in one day!) or like 1/2 or 1/3 of the hen?

I'm happy to see he's eating whole prey. I really feel that if an owner can handle feeding its a vital addition to the diet.

Let me get a little clarity on your schedule and then you will be ready to "graduate"! That means this thread will be move to the "newbie switch archive" and then when you get a new buddy for Frank you can start a new thread in this section if you'd like some assistance

[karmaghost]

Aug 28, 2008 16:03:22 GMT -5 Forum Administrator said:

When you say "chicken" what does that mean?

Where I didn't specify, it was chicken thighs he was eating. He really likes having bone to munch on.

Aug 28, 2008 16:03:22 GMT -5 Forum Administrator said:

And with the game hen, how much does he usually eat?

It took Frank a whole week to go through one cornish hen. It was a pretty decent sized one though. Plus I was feeding him other stuff that week for variety. I cut up the cornish hen into about 12 pieces, and fed him about 3 times a day. So by the end of the week, he ate the entire bird.

[Forum Administrator]

A whole week to go through a game hen? That sounds like an awefully long time. Are you sure it was a game hen and not a whole young fryer chicken? Honestly it doesnt really matter, I am just curious.

Okay, only other thing I can think of is if you plan on feeding a combination raw/whole prey diet the key is to feed a balanced raw diet AND a balanced whole prey diet (you just feed less of each) so that means Each week you feed raw meaty bones atleast 4 days per week, chunks of boneless meat 2 times per week (if you want to coat in 1 crushed eggshell, thats okay. It will add extra calcium/fiber. It is optional, not required) and then organ meat (liver, kidney, tripe, pancreas, spleen, thymus, etc) 1x per week (if all you can get is liver and kidney, that is just fine).

Looks like you've got the 4 days minimum (per week) of raw meaty bones, and the boneless meat too. Only thing I can see is be sure to add that organ meat 1x per week. I only see beef liver on the schedule for one week (plus the game hen gizzards). Now he IS getting organs from his prey, but I still would like to see atleast liver 1x per week.

Then to keep the raw diet "balanced" and "varied" you just switch up the ages and species of the prey (which you are already doing).

Okay, dokey. Looks like you are good to go! He's totally switch and your feeding schedule's been reviewed, sooooooo.....

Time to Graduate!!!

Now there is one last thing I want you to do (and then I am moving this thread to the "newbie switch archive":

If you havent already, it might be a good idea to start popping in toNaturalFerrets. I know forum is small right now, but that is because they are switching to the new forum from a yahoo! group. There are many many senior raw feeders on there and it would be wise to make use of their knowledge. I try and advise all my "completed switchers" to get on there and post a bit. I still want you to say on HF, but I want you to "broaden your horizons" by getting a bit of NaturalFerret's info as well. Sound good?

www.NaturalFerrets.com

You'll probably run in to the Holistic Ferret Mentors on there. This is where THEY go to ask THEIR questions on natural diet (I do too).

Let me know if you get any good info out of here.

and.......

Now that you've completed the switch, have had your feeding schedule reviewd, and been advised to check out NaturalFerrets, its time to retire this thread to the "newbie switch archive"!



No one (yourself included) will be able to post in this thread anymore once its been moved to the archive. Please begin posting your diet-related questions in the "whole prey" "raw" or "general feeding questions and discussion" area. We encourage EVERYONE that is archived to continue posting. Feeding a natural diet is a learning PROCESS, there is much to learn after making the switch.

We (your mentor and I) will run a detailed "check up" with you (via PM or email) at the 3 month, 6 month, and 1 year anniversary since "going natural" just to make sure all is going well and that you arent having any issues.

Feel free to jump in and help to answer newbie questions. One of the ways you can learn is through teaching. We hope you stick around so that we can celebrate the 1 year anniversary of starting your baby on raw with you!

Also, if you wind up getting a new addition, just start a new thread in the "natural diet newbies" section if you need assistance.

[tss]

Congratz!! I'm so happy he is on raw and whole prey now!

I'm always here if you need help and you've got my email address, although you have graduated Giuli and I will be checking in with you 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year from now to see how the diet is going, how Tank is doing and to see if you have anymore fuzzies

We hope you found the program helpful, if you know anyone else interested in a natural ferret lifestyle please point them in our direction!

[karmaghost]

I am posting this VERY late - Sorry! But Frank has been doing great and eating the same things since november. He's super healthy and happy and LOVES baby mice!

3 Months Since the Switch- EVALUATION #1:

1. Since switching to a natural diet, what are the most noticable changes you have noticed in your ferret(s). Please be specific.

Frank no longer has any yellow fur. His coat is thick and fluffy. His poo is always little logs that are very easy to clean up and don't stink much. Frank's food doesn't stink as much as the kibble did.

2. Have you filled out the "Natural Diet Survey"? (If not, please do by going to the following link: holisticferret.proboards80.com/in....play&thread=241)

3. Please post a "sample weekly feeding schedule". Basically, give us an idea of what you feed your ferret(s) each week. This way we can review it (again) and let you know if you need to make any changes to ensure proper nutrition. Post your schedule in the following format:

MONDAY: 3 Hoppers, 3 Large Pinkies, 3 Peach Fuzzies, 3 Fuzzies. Twice a day
TUESDAY: 3 Hoppers, 3 Large Pinkies, 3 Peach Fuzzies, 3 Fuzzies. Twice a day
WEDNESDAY: 3 Hoppers, 3 Large Pinkies, 3 Peach Fuzzies, 3 Fuzzies. Twice a day
THURSDAY: 3 Hoppers, 3 Large Pinkies, 3 Peach Fuzzies, 3 Fuzzies. Twice a day
FRIDAY: 3 Hoppers, 3 Large Pinkies, 3 Peach Fuzzies, 3 Fuzzies. Twice a day
SATURDAY: 3 Hoppers, 3 Large Pinkies, 3 Peach Fuzzies, 3 Fuzzies. Twice a day
SUNDAY: 3 Hoppers, 3 Large Pinkies, 3 Peach Fuzzies, 3 Fuzzies. Twice a day

I order my mice from RodentPro and feed about 120grams of food per day. I also give him a 1 day old quail or a 1 day old chick weekly for a treat. And sometimes feed him live crickets (from the pet store) for fun.

4. Do you have any questions or concearns regarding your ferret(s) diet?

He really prefers the younger mice in a major way. Is he getting enough calcium? Should I supplement his diet with calcium since I'm not feeding him mice older than hoppers? Is there anything else he's lacking?

5. Do you have any new "diet goals" for your ferrets that you would like us to help you with, such as: adding whole prey to the diet, diversifying the types of meat fed, or incorporating freeze-dried or commercial raw foods? If so, please specify.

6. How was your experience with the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program? What did you like about the program? What didn't you like? What can we do to make our program better?

Great experience. My mentor is very friendly and I know I can ask her for any help at any time.

[karmaghost]

I forgot to mention Frank loves the occasional peanut half, or slice of banana, and he loves licking apple slices (but doesn't actually eat them...yet). Are these okay to give him once in a blue moon? When I say 'blue moon' I literally mean not more than once a month I might give him one peanut.

[Forum Administrator]

You are right about the younger mice being low in calcium. Young quail and chicks are low as well. If he won't eat older mice, then what I would do is add a raw chicken wing, leg, thigh, neck, bone in breast, or back to his diet several times a week (3-4 times) alternating what piece you feed (wings one day, leg another, etc). That would be the easiest way to add more calcium. You might also want to try adding some new prey types to his diet. Why not try rat (any age), guinea pig, or rabbit next time you place an order with Rodentpro.

I would stay away from peanuts, even a small one once in a blue moon can cause a blockage. A small banana slice, a cut up berry (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, etc) once a month is an okay treat. Again, as you said, VERY VERY sparingly. In the wild polecats will OCCASSIONALLY eat berries, so a little nibble once in a blue moon won't hurt him. Again, stay away from the peanuts and apples though, as they may cause blockages.

I am happy to hear that Frank is doing well. He is such a cutie pie. I'm glad his poos look good and his fur is no longer yellow.