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Post by sherrylynne on Nov 30, 2008 22:03:24 GMT -5
The ferts will sit there and chew on a piece of meat 2" by 3", no problems. But give them a similar size piece bone in? Forget it! They'll lick it, pull at it, and then stash it! But the WILL NOT EAT IT!!! I just don't get it. If I cut up the bone- no problem, but bone in??? Not the proverbial snowball's chance in h*ll!
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Post by suds on Nov 30, 2008 22:20:27 GMT -5
they are spoiled and know Mom will cut it up for them so they can be lazy  |
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Post by mustelidmusk on Nov 30, 2008 23:39:22 GMT -5
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 1, 2008 0:07:18 GMT -5
So, since they flatly refuse to eat larger pieces with the bone in, how do I convince them? I've tried scoring it, and leaving it all day, and night, and the next day they are just cranky because they are so hungry!
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Post by Heather on Dec 1, 2008 0:09:48 GMT -5
I know this may sound like playing right into their little paws  (like we never to that  ....right  ) but try taking a hammer to the boned pieces. I've found it works rather well to get the ones who are a little stuck on not eating bone. It's not really ground up but it's not all in one great big piece either and the marrow and fresh blood is now exposed too  . You have my sympathies in regards to furbabies who can't stand to take "wait a minute". Napoleon digs at my feet. In my house everyone goes barefoot, Napoleon learned this little trick when he was a kit. He used to bite the top of my foot, right about center...it hurt like h***. So, through treats, time outs and the occasional scruff (he was one of the furbabies that scruffing just ticked off and he was a demon when he was ticked) he stopped biting the top of my foot. The new method is a bit more tolerable but ... it still hurts and he's learned that he can generate a really good dig but he will only do this 3 or 4 times. If this doesn't get him picked up he will then resort to his kit practice of biting the top of my foot. So, I actually reinforce his digging habit because I will pick him up before he bites me Just one of those loose loose situations  ciao |
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 1, 2008 19:33:29 GMT -5
No, they eat bone just fine! The problem is that it has to be cut into 1- 1/2 inch lengths. The only whole bone in meat they will eat is a quail, and I have to quarter that for them What I'm refering to is, say, when they have duck. Why on earth should I have to cut all the meat off the thigh, or leg? Shouldn't they be able to cut their own meat? I know they probably can't eat the thigh or leg bone, unless it's cut, but at least the meat off of it! |
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Post by Heather on Dec 2, 2008 1:43:13 GMT -5
You do have a point....have you tried the graduated size...you know each time they get some it keeps getting bigger?? I just watched half a chicken disappear down the basement stairs....you would think that the puppy would have figured out by now that ferrets will steal anything if it's not tied down. The silly pup is lucky he weighs 130 lbs or he'd be downstairs stashed in a hidey too ciao |
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Post by suds on Dec 2, 2008 6:27:29 GMT -5
but Mom we need to save our energy to play and get into trouble with, You know we are spioled and you will always cut up the meat for us and not let us get hungry enough to have to work for it Although I cut slits in the meat to make it easer for my 2 Hershy still sometimes has trouble tearing meat off bigger bones but strange thing she never has trouble with hole prey or her favorate meat veal . they do train us well |
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 2, 2008 9:14:39 GMT -5
*sigh* I guess you've got a point! And thanks, Heather. Maybe that's what it is. We've graduated to the larger chunks of meat, as I've said. No problems there. And maybe a duck thigh or leg is a bit too intimidating for them yet. Or, then again, maybe I'm just too well trained |
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Post by Heather on Dec 2, 2008 11:41:15 GMT -5
I agree with Suds...try scoring the meat to the bone. I still do that for chicken legs...I know that they don't need me to do that but I get tired of finding it in the litter box breaded I find if I score the meat then they will eat it. Now, stolen meat no matter the size is always eaten and chewed but that's because stolen meat tastes better . ciao |
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 2, 2008 20:11:49 GMT -5
Thanks Suds and Heather! I'll give it a shot. After all, what's the worst that can happen? I get hungry ferts, looking at me with those sad, sad eyes, saying, "Mamma, we're hungry...please, please feed us. Mamma we're hungry........" |
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