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Post by magic on Dec 11, 2008 10:51:59 GMT -5
I really want to start them over on raw diet but I am scared if I do they are gonna loose weight again when I change there kibble diet. My ferret will starve them self for day or two before deciding to eat new things. As I said in some of my other post Kenai is just starting to gain weight again. I do not want him to loose it again. Though he already show that he will attack and kill live pray. He almost killed one of my sisters chinchilla. Poor thing was blind for a while but with some home herbal remedies it clear up and she only has deform ear. Which she can't move it back and forth like the others. So live pray with him wont be problem for him but the thing is getting them to eat the stuff. I live on a farm so getting organic meat easy. Like we have pig that we are getting back from the slaughter house this Saturday. Also we have few live beef cows walking about that soon will be sent also. Not anytime soon. So I can use some of that meat we get back. I have put some deer meat in for them and chicken and turkey in and they seem to nibble at it but care less of it also and just eat there kibble. So I am having hard time getting them to eat thing other then there kibble. I was wondering is it ok to give them some what cooked egg?
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Post by Heather on Dec 11, 2008 11:20:33 GMT -5
I strongly suggest that you try reading some of the mentoring threads. It will give you some ideas as to what might work for you and your furbabies (there are as many ways of switching as there are ferrets ). You're right, "most" ferrets don't take to their new diet right away but you can do gradual transitions that help to keep the weight on. I've never been a big fan of the starve them 'til they eat deal. I have let them get hungry, though You also have to make sure you get the feeding mix ratios right too (too much of one thing or too little of another can make for a sick fert in the long run ). So it's not a matter of slapping down some meat and saying eat it . Sometimes you get a kit or a ferret that thinks that meat is the best thing since kibbles but most people have to do a long go of changing over. Your right the prey drive comes with the ferret, eating the prey is another matter. I just finished allowing my guys to have a killing spree and Thor loves to kill, but eating all those little mice is another story. He will get his tonight when he goes to bed and has calmed down a little, his prey drive is very high but it's all about the kill. He has to slow down to eat. Thor has two speeds, hyper and sleep So my big killers, Thor, Attila, Lady "B" and Odin (Mad Max was off playing somewhere as was Ghenghis so they missed out this time) So there's a nice pile of little mice that have been slaughtered for the sickies and the ones that don't hunt very well (Loki doesn't see very well and isn't very accurate or clean with his kill, Aremis is too weak but still loves his mousies, and there are a couple of newbies, Cpt Jack and Calypso that are in the process of being switched over...) In a couple of weeks we will do this slaughter in the bathtub again. There are methods of getting your guys to eat mouse and other prey animals but it again takes teaching them how and actually teaching them that it's food rather than just another game that they play. See we're taking the place of momma fert and some of our guys are older and it takes them a little longer to recognize prey and food are synonymous Perhaps, what you should do is get yourself a mentor, it really works and we don't bite Sometimes, it helps to have a shoulder to cry on when for the 5th night in a row your beautiful brats have decided that eating kibble crap is better than your beautifully prepared mush Give it a go. Keep asking questions and we'll try and help you out ciao
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Post by bigsis7 on Dec 11, 2008 11:24:05 GMT -5
Hey! Well some ferrets are more stubborn than others. You could try soaking their kibble in warm water for a while. An egg every once in a while works too! I suggest you go to the Holistic Ferret Mentor program where you will be assigned a mentor to help you make the switch. Here are some links to get you started: Post all questions about natural ferret diet here: holisticferret.proboards80.com/index.cgi?board=newbquestWhen you are ready to make the switch to a natural diet, fill out one of these forms: holisticferret.proboards80.com/in....play&thread=822and start a thread in this section (copy/paste the filled out form into your first post): holisticferret.proboards80.com/index.cgi?board=newbiePost all questions/updates on the progress of your ferret's diet switch in that one thread. After making your initial post we will help you start the switch and we will assign you a "Holistic Ferret Mentor" to assist you and monitor your progress. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 11, 2008 21:28:11 GMT -5
Don't be overly concerned if your ferrets don't go for a full raw diet right away. It took Boris a full 6 weeks of mentoring before we could declare him kibble free. But believe me, it is well worth the time and effort. My 4 fuzzes are now healthy, with great teeth, well muscled, and their activity level has increased tremendously! Not the usual hour long spurt, then crash, but a steady, longer term type of activity, with little hyperactivity. It's great!
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