Zuko and Katara Going Raw

[razzlette]

Yea thing are going good. I like the schedule because when I am not home my family knows what to feed them. Fridays are a free for all day. If I have something special or something different they will get it that day.

Zuko is still not eating as much but he is still eating. Katara is starting to eat a bit more than she was so things are going well there.

Today is NV & Chicken breast. They chowed down on the NV this morning I forgot to add the shell. Lunch will be breast with shell.

[Forum Administrator]

Looks like you are well on your way. Excellent! Let Jasmine know when you can afford to get some more raw foods and she can work together with you to develop a feeding schedule that includes some more variety, but still fits your budget

[buzzonesbirdie]

Like Giuli said you and yours are on a soild path to being raw feed.

I would love to help you add to your feeding schudel when you can.

I am happy to hear that they are all eating better.

[razzlette]

What else can I get to add more variety? Not that I can go out and buy it today but if I see it on sale I can try to pick it up.

a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least every other day?**
Yes

b.) Do you understand that if you will be away from your computer for an extended period of time you will need to exchange phone numbers (or email addresses if you don't feel comfortable exchanging numbers) via private message with your assigned mentor, so that we can monitor your progress and ensure your ferret's saftey during the switch? (Please post below letting us know that you and your mentor have exchanged phone numbers or emails)

Yes

c.) Do you understand that any threads that have not been updated in for more then a week (with no explaination as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***

Yes

[buzzonesbirdie]

Well mine eat and this is all stuff i can find in the grocery store (except the rabbit i buy it from a butcher)

Rabbit
chicken
game hen
lamb
pork
beef
goose
buffalo

Look around and see what you can find.

Its not as hard as it seems sometime. I thought to try most of it by just walking around the meat isle in my store and thinking to myself I wonder if they would eat this. Buying a small amount and giving it to the them

[Forum Administrator]

Like Jas mentioned buy a small amount and try it out. Instead of buying a pre-packaged serving of a new meat, try asking at the bucher counter if you can get a smaller cut

[razzlette]

Feeding is going great, not much has changed.
My brothers room mate hunts dear. I was wondering if that would be ok. What kind should I get? They hunt enough for them to eat all year long so I need to know what I can use for the ferrets so I can let them know.

[buzzonesbirdie]

I dont see a problem with deer as part of a diet. I would get the parts that do not have bones in them as i think that they could not get any benefit out of the deer meat. Also deer organ would be good too if they have some of those to give you

[razzlette]

The organs get tossed in the feeld. I will see what I can get

[buzzonesbirdie]

No problem...If you can get it then great if not then some deer meat in their diet would be a nice addtion anyway.

[razzlette]

Yesterday was liver & egg day and they loved it.
The schedule thing is working great right now because my life is crazy right now. Money is even tighter than ever right now. $500 in vet bills have to be paid in 3 months. Dentist bill for the kids. Not to mention normal bills! Stress lv is through the roof. I'm doing everything I can to keep the foods for the ferrets good but cheep. Lamb at the market was $5+ for just a little bit. What cut of pork and beef is good/cheep?

[Forum Administrator]

I think I can be of help, so I'm going to pop in real quick, Jasmine Hope ya don't mind.

Here are some useful tips to save money on raw foods:

1. Always look for meat that is on sale because its about to reach its "sell by date" I can buy meat for 30% off or more! Just take the meats home, porition it out into freezer baggies and freeze.

2. Shop at walmart, sams club, or costco. You can find really cheap cornish game hen at walmart and if you buy in bulk at say, sams club, you can really save a bundle!

3. Vary the cut of meat you feed (dont always feed chicken wings, feed legs too, and dont always feed the same cut of pork) buy what is on sale, use coupons, etc. That way your babies get variety and you save $$$

4. Make friends with your local butcher. See if he can sell you scraps of meat for cheap (or even free). Always be sure to tip and its also nice if you give them a "thank you card" or something. Its a great way to save money and get extra meats.

5. Check out freecycle and craigslist and see if anyone wants to clear out their freezer of old deer meat (especially if its hunting season and people are looking to get their freezer's ready for this year's meat) or even freezer burned meat (its okay as long as it doesnt make up the bulk of the diet).

Just be creative and you can often find foods for cheap/free. Any cut of beef/pork is fine really, just make sure its fresh.

[buzzonesbirdie]

Yup everything that Giuli just said.

I would have said it too but she beat me too it

[Forum Administrator]

I just figured I"d post this since I already have this info stickied elsewhere on the forum figured I'd save ya the trouble of typing it all out

[buzzonesbirdie]

Thanks