Vivi and Freya going raw!

[savagedestiny]

Sadly the only real butcher is in the next town over from us. Its hard to justify the gas expense when I could possibly order something online if I wanted.

As a side note, apparently I was wrong about them eating the whole wings. I thought that since I didn't see anything, they'd been eaten. I was proven wrong at 4:30 this morning when I awoke to Vivi screaming bloody murder over Freya trying to steal a wing piece he was munching. Little stinkers.

[Forum Administrator]

Bummer that you don't have a butcher nearby. Ordering online can be expensive (shipping) BUT if you "stock up" when you place your order, you wont have to order again for a while, so its really not *too* horrible (I buy Delilah's ground raw foods from hare today, gone tommorow and fugue, mizu (b/f's ferret), and zephyr get their whole prey from rodentpro.com).

Screaming bloody murder, huh? lol Ferrets can be such drama queens

[savagedestiny]

Oh yeah, he screams like someone's killing him when she goes near his portion. And, of course, HIS portion always looks better to her... silly things.

I got them some chicken thighs, but I cut some of the meat off so they'd eat the bone. Since the chicken wing escapade I don't trust them to eat the whole things! They munched them right down, along with the buffalo kidneys they got with breakfast this morning.

[Forum Administrator]

Excellent! I cut some of the meat off of the thighs too, its just SO much meat. I cant even give my cat a whole thigh or she wont eat the bone. I'm happy to hear that they took to the thighs. Thighs are nice and fatty and rich in taurine.

Any plans to try any other RMBs? Just trying to gauge where you are at (if you are wanting to try other meats or if you are happy where you are at). I don't want to say "congrats! You graduate!" and have you be like "But I still had a few more goals I wanted to reach. I'm not ready to graduate yet, I still need more time.")

[savagedestiny]

Well, I want to try them on some quail and rabbit eventually, when I can get ahold of it. I have no doubts they'll eat it though, they've scarfed ground quail and rabbit. Other than that, they're really at the place I'd like them to be. They're eating whatever I put in front of them, including bone and organ meat, so I'm pretty happy with the way things are.

[Forum Administrator]

Wonderful! Well if you have no qualms about it, I think you are ready to graduate.

[Forum Administrator]

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.

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.

[savagedestiny]

Woohoo! I just want to thank you guys for helping me with the switch. The furrets proved a lot harder to switch over than my cats! You and Jasmine have been a lifesaver, so thanks a ton!

I'll certainly join the other forum, though I may not post much. I'm more of a lurker. I don't believe you can ever know everything though!

[Forum Administrator]

Your welcome. Thank YOU for sticking it out and getting this far! I am very proud of you.

[buzzonesbirdie]

Congrats

Sorry i have not been around much the last few days but verizon was doing work in our area so our phones and internet service was in and out. Its back now and i come back to seeing that you went ahead a graduated. I am so proud of you. Remember that i am here for you for any questions that you may still have or that may come up.

[savagedestiny]

Wow I can't believe its been six months already! It doesn't seem that long ago that I was getting a phone call asking if we took in animals at work and I offered to take Vivi and "find him a home." Well... I guess I did do that! It just ended up being MINE!

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? Yes, absolutely. I don't believe kibble diets are healthy for any pet, and if I have my way no animal of mine will ever eat kibble again. Although Vivi and Freya gave me a run for my money with the switch.

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)Yup, I actually got linked to it through a Pit Bull forum I frequent, and filled it out.

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: Primal or Stella and Chewy's pre-made A.M., chicken neck P.M.
TUESDAY: Pre-made A.M., quail leg P.M.
WEDNESDAY: Pre-made A.M., chicken wing tip P.M.
THURSDAY: Pre-made A.M., base of chicken wing P.M.
FRIDAY: Pre-made A.M., half or quarter a chicken neck and organ meat P.M.
SATURDAY: Pre-made A.M., Cornish Game Hen (leg or wing) P.M.
SUNDAY: Pre-made A.M., chicken neck P.M.

4. Do you have any questions or concearns regarding your ferret(s) diet? Not particularly.

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. I'm a little interested in whole prey, but I'm also apprehensive. I've fed my dog prey model, i.e. whole chicken/cornish game hen carcasses, but to be honest the thought of fur or feathers being ingested worries me. I know its silly, but I have a fear of things like that causing blockages or problems. Plus, I don't know how big of a mouse/rat/chick each ferret could handle without stashing... for instance, Roscoe will easily devour a whole chicken neck, but Vivi and Freya will only eat about half a chicken neck. More information would be nice.

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? I absolutely loved it! I knew about raw feeding from my dog and cats, but getting the fuzzies to switch was a whole different ball game. I may have given up if I hadn't gotten so many helpful tips and pointers on how to get them to switch.

7. 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? Their coats have absolutely improved. Less smell, less stink, its great. Vivi is also much more active.

8. 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: I don't feel like I know enough about ferrets specifically to be a mentor. While I'm not new to raw feeding, I am still new to the world of ferrets, and I don't believe that qualifies me as a mentor.

[Forum Administrator]

I'm thrilled you've made it 6 months. This is great! Now to address some things:

1. Your feeding schedule looks great, the only thing I would recommend is to occasionaly incorporate some new frozen diets. I LOVE Nature's variety raw, Bravo is another option as well. Animal Food service and Hare Today, Gone tommorow raw ground mixes work too. You can also experiment with freeze-dried raw foods (check out Jojodancer's store---look up her username and click on her siggy banner). You are doing great now, but the more variety the better

2. Whole prey is a great addition to the diet, if you are willing to make the leap. The fur and feathers in whole prey actually work to PREVENT blockages. They are fiberous and help to rid the intestines of build up and residue. The most beautiful poops in the world are whole prey poops (because the fur/feathers holds the poop together and keeps it from running).

3. If you are worried about them stashing large rats, try mice. You can/should feed a variety of ages of mice from pinkies to large adults. My male ferrets usually eat one adult mouse each in one sitting, no issues with stashing. If you'd like help incorporating whole prey into the diet, pm me and we'll unlock this thread again and I'll mentor you to get your kids eating some prey.