ugh.....

[wmella85]

i cannot get my four to eat meat unless i cut it up. we are stuck on a medium size. i am really really tired of cutting bone into chunks. i have ruined sooooooo many knives.


how do i get them to eat drumsticks and other chicken parts without cutting it up?

i mostly want them to figure this out so that i can start feeding whole prey. And im lazy. and im running out of knives...........



ugh.

[pear2apple]

I have no help, however stop using your knives! Head out to a grocery store and pick yourself up some kitchen shears. Or something like that. They cut right thru bones and your knives will thank you for it! They look heavy duty and should be with all the other cutlery and big spoons and stuff. Worth every penny, and not too expensive either!

[Heather]

Agree, get some kitchen shears. You may also want to try something with smaller bones. They may be more into eating those. My guys won't eat chicken bones...they don't like wings and they find that the leg bones (weight bearing) are too large. They will chew the knuckles but will not eat the bones. Try baby rabbits and quail quarters. When my guys eat that there is nothing left. Chicken necks are something else that is usually well received but if it's too large they won't bother. They will eat the meat but will only touch the bone. You have to remember, especially if you want to copy prey (frankenprey) that you have to take a look at what your ferret would be able to catch and kill. They do slaughter chickens, but they would only take the choice parts, the legs would not be their choice That's what angers farmers who find weasels in their chicken coop....they only eat what they want.
Just a thought
ciao

[wmella85]

i went out and picked up a pair of poultry shears!!! they cut through the bones like butter! it was a beautiful thing!

mine love wings, they have the biggest squabbles over them. but will only touch them if i have cut them up.

why wont they eat them when they are whole. thats what i am tring to get them past. i really dont want to cut up mice. why wont they eat chicken parts whole???

[Forum Administrator]

They won't eat them when they are whole because they know mommy will cut them up They've got you wrapped around your little finger. (Don't feel bad, It happens to every ferrent at some point ).

Here is what you do. Each day cut up the chicken less and less. Let them "deal with it". They are perfectly capable of eating the food, I say let them "suck it up". Make a *subtle* increase in the size of the chunked chicken wings each day. Don't make too big of a change or they'll rebel. Slow and steady, nice and sneaky, and soon your furballs will know who's boss

[wmella85]

okay i will give it a go. and i am wrapped around all of their little fingers and toes. sneaky little beasts.