Boris, Vincent, Lucrezia and Sinnead go raw!

[mustelidmusk]

I'll have a second glass just for Boris alone
I guess he finally decided he was missing out on something good!!!

[sherrylynne]

You should see him now . He grabs everything he can, takes it to his stash site(he refuses to use a feeding den-oh well), then when he thinks he has enough, he goes in for his meal. And Gods forbid if another fert tries to take any! Hissing, growling, and various other weird and wonderful noises issue forth . Yeah, I think he realized, finally, what he was missing out on

[mustelidmusk]

That's jus too cute ....I wish I could see and hear him who would have ever guessed that BORIS would become a greedy little meat grinder I just love it

Ferrets are full of all kinds of surprises!!!!!
-jennifer

[sherrylynne]

Well, ladies, tomorrow is organ meat day, and it will be one full week on the new schedule, so wish me luck! I'm switching the organ meat to evening, so if I have to puree and syringe feed, I'll actually have the time to do it. If it works, it means graduation !!!!!

[Forum Administrator]

Whoo hoo! I"m so excited!

[mustelidmusk]

Yes, I'm holding my breath and turning BLUE
I want that glass of wine too!!!!
Let us know how they did - this is the very last step
-jennifer

[Forum Administrator]

I wanna know! I wanna know!!!!!

[sherrylynne]

YES!!!!!!
Chicken livers and hearts, cut up very tine, but they ate it!!!

[Forum Administrator]

Whhoooo hooo! Break out the wine!

Yay! 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, 9 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 any time in the future, just start a new thread in the "natural diet newbies" section if you need assistance.

[Forum Administrator]

I'm going to let Jennifer post one more time before locking and moving this thread ( ) but as of right now you HAVE officially graduated! Congrats!!!!

[sherrylynne]

Cooool . Now, I'd like to thank the Nobel Academy_ oops! sorry, wrong forum! !

[mustelidmusk]

YOU DID IT - YOU DID IT ---WHOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

My bottle of wine is open in honor of your marvelous achievement!!!



Here's to your fabulous brats .......
____
)___(
( )
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OK, so it's a pathetic-looking glass of wine
It tastes a lot better than that - but at least I got the cheese in th picture, and I didn't even hav to draw it!!!

Have fun and PM me any time
-jennifer

[sherrylynne]

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.

Energy levels are quite steady. No real sudden spurts and crashes. Coats are better. Nipping has decreased- a lot! All are much more affectionate, although with Sinnead, she's always been affectionate . Teeth are nice and white. More muscular. Very excited about mealtimes

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)

I graduated just after the survey/questionare was started.

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: Pork chunks/turkey chunks/beef chunks, whichever comes to hand from the bag
TUESDAY: Turkey necks/duck necks
WEDNESDAY: Pork chunks/turkey chunks/beef chunks
THURSDAY: Fowl(cornish hen/duck/quail(whichever comes to hand)
FRIDAY: Rabbit
SATURDAY: Meat chunks(am), organ meats(liver/water/heavy cream, about a tbsp, pureed to soup), large hopper mice(1 each)
SUNDAY: Fowl(corn. hen/duck/quail)

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

Not at all

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.

Not at all

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?

It was fantastic. There's really nothing not to like about 1 on 1 support and instruction

[Forum Administrator]

Looks like everything is going well. Your feeding schedule looks perfect, I'm thrilled you've come this far! Keep up the great work. You are doing a wonderful job as a mentor in training!

[sherrylynne]

6 Months Since the Switch- EVALUATION #2:

1. Its been six months since you and your ferrets graduated from the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program. Are you still feeding a kibble-free, natural diet? If yes, why? If no, why?

Definitely still feeding whole prey/raw! I like the results, and it's a lot healthier for the fuzzbutts

2. Since its been six months since you graduated from the HF Mentor Program, you are now eligable to become a Holistic Ferret Mentor. Do you have any interest in becoming a mentor? There is NO obligation. If interested, please read the following info to see if you are capable of making such a commitment to being a mentor:


Definitely interested.

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: Pork/beef/turkey chunks- whatever comes to hand

TUESDAY: Turkey/duck neck

WEDNESDAY: Pork/beef/turkey chunks- whatever comes to hand

THURSDAY: Fowl- cornish hen/duck/quail

FRIDAY: Rabbit

SATURDAY: chicken heart/beef organs/whole adult mice

SUNDAY: Fowl- cornish hen/duck/quail

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

None.

5. After switching to a natural diet I'm sure you noticed numerable changes immediately. After six months of feeding naturally, what would you say is the most notable improvement in your ferret's health?

Improved healing capacity. Sinnead had a really badly cut tongue. Healed in a week. Lucrezia badly sprained a hip/leg(couldn't put any weight on it at all). She was running again in 3 days.
I truly believe if it wasn't for their diet, it would have taken much longer for either of them to heal.