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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Oct 6, 2008 22:29:44 GMT -5
I understand your worry about things like salmonella and all i can really say is that i have been feeding raw for 3 years and have never had a problem with anything like that--and i have a cat, dogs, and little kids in the house.
I feel lucky now i can usally find some lamb in the store for $3-5 and its usually enough for two meals.
Are you able to order things off line?? If you are then I know that there are some butchers that sell many differet meats that way.
I would get those chickens too--i understand the crying lOL
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 7, 2008 17:55:52 GMT -5
As long as you regularly clean the area where they are fed, and as long as you diligently wash your hands before and after handling meat, you need not worry about salmonella. Its okay to keep it out for 24 hours, just be diligent and logical about cleaning.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Oct 8, 2008 0:45:45 GMT -5
Hi, Im finally getting caught up since my computer has been flakey. Here's a link to an old thread that has some bone eating tips: holisticferret.proboards80.com/index.cgi?board=raw&action=display&thread=562Here are some more things that have worked well for me... 1. trim most of the meat off the bones and feed the bones first (when they're hungry) Then add some meats. If that's not working, and if your kids are not getting hungry enough to eat bone, let them get a little hungry between meals if they're all healthy and are at solid weights. Feed a little less during the day. Feed them bone with a little meat on it at night and add the meat just before you go to bed. That will give them time to work on the bones. * feed wing tips * cut the wing segment that has two bones in half along the length of the bone to make 2 separate bones from one wing segment * feed bonus velvet antler small dog treats - they're porous and will absorb ferretone, salmon oil, finely ground raw meat, baby food. The antler can also be cut into tiny pieces with wire cutters and mixed into the food * feed oma's Pride trachea rounds (they're ground and formed into medallions. you'll want to cut them into small bits at first using a crummy pair of scissors or the wire cutters. make the pieces bigger over time. Same with the antlers. * chicken backs (specially corish game hen) are very soft and can be cut into strips with a knife (easier chewing * like i mentioned in the thread referenced above, try boiling the bones to soften them. You can smash them between your fingers if you simmer them long enough. Boil them less and less over time. * feed bones of smaller animals - since the animals were small, the bones are not as hard (less weight on the bones) * feed non-weight-bearing bones, backs, necks, ribs, etc. The long bongs (legs, thighs, etc) are more dense becase the bear weight) Please feel free to ask for more help any time. If we work togther on this, we'll do come up with some way to get them eating bone -jennifer
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Post by razzlette on Oct 8, 2008 7:01:11 GMT -5
I am almost out of all the furbuts food so I hope to go out tonight and get some. I have looked everywhere for the wings with the little tips and I can't find them. I do cut the wing in to two parts and they are the ones that they do chew on a bit.
* feed bonus velvet antler small dog treats - they're porous and will absorb ferretone, salmon oil, finely ground raw meat, baby food. The antler can also be cut into tiny pieces with wire cutters and mixed into the food Do they sell these at pet stores or are they something that I have to order?
I never thought about boiling them. I will try that soon.
Thanks for all the info guys!
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Post by mustelidmusk on Oct 8, 2008 18:50:18 GMT -5
Bonus velvet antler: www.arthritisdogtreats.com/order.phpBonus is the only source I've seen that slices the antler into thin disks. ANtler is a great source for trace mineral s well. I give each of my kids 1 -2 treats treat per week. Oma's Pride: (this stuff scrubs teeth really well!) www.omaspride.com/products.htm* scroll down until you see the purple links on the white page. * click on "O'Paws freeze-dried TREATS" * the Trachea rounds will be just about in the middle of the page If you go to the home page, there's a list of distributors, so you may be able to find a local source. If not, they will ship. -jennifer
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Post by razzlette on Oct 12, 2008 20:19:14 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great info! We just got back from camping and we all had a blast. We took the fur kids with us and they were so great. I have some pics I will post in the other thread. They chewed a bit more on the tips of the bones this weekend but they still are not eating it all. I did find some wings with the tips on them so we will see how that goes. Other than that they are eating about the same. I am almost out of food for them so I will be going to the store in the next day or so. I went Thursday before we left and they were all out of thighs & wings. Being pressed for time I didnt get a chance to go some place else. I didn't work at all this weekend so money is tight and my daughters b-day is the 30th! So I am going to get them what I can but we will have to see.
Thanks again Stacy
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Post by razzlette on Oct 14, 2008 6:46:47 GMT -5
Everything is going the same. I have not had a chance to order things yet but I hope to this week. They are eating a bit more lately. It may be because of the cold nights we have been having and they are getting ready for winter. The days here are still in the 80's so I hope the fall gets here soon.
~Stacy
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 14, 2008 19:53:26 GMT -5
Eating a bit more is totally normal. Just let em eat what they want, they'll probably pork up a little, but with winter coming that is A-OK. What is their current feeding schedule (approximately)?
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Post by razzlette on Oct 15, 2008 7:50:26 GMT -5
Not much has changed on the schedule. They are eating wings, Liver/gizzards 1 egg, thighs, NV. They have some freeze-dried food that they just started carrying at Pet-smart but they are out every time I go. They do have some for cats that is 2 different kinds of fish but I can't remember what kind. Money has still not gotten any better so I can't afford to get much.
~Stacy
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 15, 2008 13:15:10 GMT -5
I understand how money being tight really sucks (I've been unemployed since August). You are doing a great job, dont feel bad about not having more $$$. You are well providing variety with the funds you have available. Just remember if you see any meat on sale, jump on it (if you can) and purchase some. A good time to buy meat is when its about to reach its "sell by date" and its like 30%+ off the original cost. Pork is generally an inexpensive meat. Its nice and fatty and many ferrets seem to really like. Its also a good source of taurine. Next time you are at the supermarket try to see if they have any pork on sale. It would make an inexpensive, nutritious addition to their diet.
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Post by razzlette on Oct 17, 2008 18:15:11 GMT -5
Nothing has changed. They have been chewing more on the bones because I have been feeding them a lot later than normal. The thighs I bought don't have bones in them like the last bag.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 17, 2008 19:14:01 GMT -5
That is good that they are chewing more on the bones Thank you for updating us, it means alot.
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Oct 19, 2008 11:01:44 GMT -5
Glad to hear about the bones
Other then that just checking in
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Post by razzlette on Oct 21, 2008 13:58:53 GMT -5
Things are still the same.
I did go out shopping today and picked up some things. Ground turkey, Venison & lamb NV, cubed pork (stew meat), beef (cheep steak), and a rock Cornish game hen (smaller than normal hens). They are also still eating wings with tips, thighs, breast, beef liver, chicken liver, and giblets.
I am going to change up the feedings a bit to see what happens.
~Stacy
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 21, 2008 22:00:01 GMT -5
Yay, some more variety. That is great. Let us know how they take to the new items.
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