Hershy and JD switching

[mustelidmusk]

How cute - I wish I could see them dooking for their food!!!

If they are leaving raw wet food (or stashing it), you can cut down on the amount of wet food fed and provide some freeze-dried during the day. I typically gauge the amount to feed based upon how much I fed at the previous meal - If they ate a lot for the last meal. I feed a little less. The freeze-dried liver bits can be cut into smaller pieces and mixed in with the Wysong's. This may also help them adjust to eating liver without having to disguise it. I think they'll probably adjust to liver over time - but if you think about the amount of liver a ferret would be getting in a mouse, it would be a relatively small amount. Plus, it would be consumed with other meats as well. It's possible that they're eating what they naturally need.

When I feed treats that are not complete/balance diet, I try to feed in the required proportions for a balanced diet - I feed the egg shell/antlers, freeze-dried organs, muscle meats using the "4 days, 2 days, one day"approach for unbalance treats. I don't weigh what I feed, I just "guessimate".

Sounds like all is going really well. Keep up the good work!!!
-jennifer

[suds]

yes the do know what the feeding tray looks like for sure and come running as soon as they see it or hear it hit the top of the cage.

I will start mixing some of the freeze dried liver in the wysons I just started making a new batch in the freezer . You would think the heart has almost the same taste and tecture as the liver but they eat that with no problems just makes me scratch my head at times lol

so they only ate about half of the rabbit lastnight I will give them what wasnt eaten agian tonight its was half a rabbit with bone I cut up into peaces with a cleaver.
This morning I gave them pork chunk with 2 chicken hearts .

so tonight they will get the rabbit and some freeze dried gizzards

[Forum Administrator]

Suds your schedule looks good to me. I'd say you are ready to graduate, what say you?

PS-My ferrets seem to "fast" themselves too. Once a week I will have a "lean" day, where I only feed them a little bit of food. For a healthy, non-insulinomic ferret I think this is perfectly fine. Its natural IMO because in the wild the amount of food a polecat would eat each day would vary. I find that feeding them a little less one day a week helps to reve their appetite and keep them excited about food. It also encourages them to clean out any stores of hidden meat that they may have

[suds]

well I feel comfortable on how things are going now and the base schedule that Jen gave me is great and I know if I have any problems or questions I can PM Jen or post in a thread and get the answers
Thanks so much for your help Jen I realy cant say thank you enough!!
Me ,Hershy and JD could not have done it with out this great program !! you guys are awesome

[Forum Administrator]

I am truely happy we were able to help you. You really did a good job sticking it out and working through the tough times of the transition. It really makes me happy to see ferrets put onto natural diets. Thank you so much for your dedication to your ferrets.

BTW, If you truely are passionate about natural feeding and helping others put their ferrets onto natural diets, then why not consider becoming a HF mentor? We do a 6 month "mentor in training" program before you are a full fledged mentor, but that is good because it gives you "training wheels" so that you can learn about the basics before you are shouldered with the responsibility of a newbie. Think about it and let me know. There is no obligation, but I DO think you'd be a great mentor.

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 to NaturalFerrets. 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. There is always lots to learn, and lots to share with the newbies on the site. If you feel comfortable offering the newbies advice, then by all means go ahead. The more help we can get, the better. If you'd rather lurk and not post, thats cool too, its just always nice to have our graduates stick around.

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.

[mustelidmusk]

WooooHooooooo!!!!!!

I'm so poud of you, JD, and Hershy!!!!

Can you believe HERSHY is graduating?? JD was easy, but I can remember one of your posts where you stated that you'd keep trying to get Hershy to eat meat even if she never switched!

I always suggest that gradates go back through their thread to review their progress - it's a kick to see the bumps in the road along the way!

As always, please feel free to PM me any time.
Have fun!!
-jennifer

[Forum Administrator]

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.
Hershy gained more wieght , her coat got much more shiny and soft , she plays longer and her teeth are nice and white , JD wow went from a fat butterball to a firm muscular guy , He now jumps farther and climbs all over the place always full of energy to get into lots of trouble with grrrrrr.


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)

the link dont work I filled out a few natural survey's not sure if one of them is the one you are asking about .

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:

Will put this weeks menue it changes each week but the basics are the same

MONDAY: Morning beef chuck with beef liver hidden inside , boneless pork chop and wings
TUESDAY: morning : Day old chicks and rabit legs evening adult mice
WEDNESDAY: Morning smelts hole smelts , Evening turkey wings and turkey meat chunks
THURSDAY: 2 juv rats and 1 adult rat (this meal last for morning and evening)
FRIDAY: Morning freeze dried chicken livers , chicken gizzards , pinkies Evening chicken wings and legs
SATURDAY: whole rabbit
SUNDAY: fast day they have access to wysons A1

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

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.
Still trying to get Hershy to eat soups and raw eggs

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?

think the program is great and would not change anything . The mentors and members are always eager to lend a helping hand and always very courtious to all