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Post by sherrylynne on Mar 24, 2009 21:54:10 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry too much about the runny poops just yet. A raw fed ferrets stool is looser than kibble fed, and liver is the worst of all. On liver, the stool is usually blackish and runny. It's the blood in the liver. It's a lot darker and richer, and there is a heavier iron content. You'll find you get many colours, too  . I'm almost at the point where I can tell what they've eaten by their stools! If you can find them, try chicken livers as well. My guys accept that far easier. Or you could try adding a couple tablespoons heavy cream to the mix. Makes it a bit more palatable, I guess  |
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Post by michiskip on Mar 25, 2009 18:21:33 GMT -5
They had chicken livers last weekend and did okay, I tried the beef because I had it, and to give a bigger variety.
This morning I packaged up about six weeks worth of "organ" meats, all chicken.
They love the beef, pork, and chicken meats but the organs are going to be tougher to get them to eat.
They have been able to eat all but the largest parts of the pork chop bones and enjoy carting their bone pieces around.
The poop has gone from black tar to light brown, still loose but formed.
They are drinking more water with the lack of puree. They only get puree with organ meats.
They have been much more willing to try new foods but it has all been versions of the same 4.
Turkey, chicken, beef, and pork.
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Post by sherrylynne on Mar 25, 2009 21:36:28 GMT -5
That's ok. The more variety you can offer, even in the same types of meat, the better. Different parts of the body contain varying levels of nutrients. Ie: heart and thigh have more taurine, etc. That way, you cover all your bases nutritionally. 4 protein sources are just fine! As you find other meats, simply substitute in the appropriate place, for example, bone in rabbit for a chicken thigh/wing meal. Lamb in place of pork or beef.
I can't believe they are actually eating some pork bone that's not neck! Just beware if the bone is too hard, they can chip/crack a tooth.
You are doing an amazing job with these guys! We'll keep them on the diet you're giving for a couple of weeks, see how they do, then set up a formal feeding schedule. Keep me posted!
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Post by michiskip on Mar 26, 2009 10:35:06 GMT -5
Nothing new really, today is a beef day...no bone. Both are eating good and enjoying their new playhouse. Will post pictures when we're done.
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Post by sherrylynne on Mar 26, 2009 22:48:33 GMT -5
Cool! I love pics |
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Post by michiskip on Mar 29, 2009 0:36:35 GMT -5
So they had their liver and egg puree with chicken liver and chicken breast and egg shell included, blended together and ate without complaint, could have been because I was busy earlier and they missed snack time. Oh well, they appreciated the puree and were excited when they saw the wet food bowl coming.
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Post by sherrylynne on Mar 29, 2009 12:07:27 GMT -5
And just to let you know- you may not have to keep them on a liver puree forever. For the first time since I started them on raw, my guys actually willingly ate chicken liver chunks . Mind you- they saw the fosters and our newest little girl eating them! |
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Post by michiskip on Mar 30, 2009 18:02:21 GMT -5
That's cool to hear. They are really doing very well and have started to let me know when they need more food, they will bring me the bowl, or if it is in their cage they will get it as close to the side of the cage area and start coughing at me. Scary as hell at first, I thought Paco was choking on something, grabbed him up and started checking him out. He stopped coughing at once and since then he has repeatedly done this. Only when he knows I'm right there-I can stand outside of his sight and he doesn't cough, nor when he is outside the cage, nor when they are playing.
Worse than a kid.....well, maybe not.
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Post by sherrylynne on Mar 30, 2009 21:37:48 GMT -5
OMG! That is too funny ! Looks like they are going to be just fine. Just out of curiosity- have you tried them on freeze dried yet? I can't remember, and frankly, I'm feeling too lazy to check back through the entire thread . I've found it's really handy to have if they have to spend the day at the vet's, or if someone else has to feed them if I have to be away. I use Archetypal 1 Ferret, or Stella and Chewy's. |
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Post by michiskip on Apr 3, 2009 21:55:07 GMT -5
no dry food, yet. But I am planning on starting them as soon as possible. Mostly depends on finances. If I'm going to order it I'd like to order bulk. Small town Alabama doesn't lend itself to ferret anything...
They are doing great though. Did manage to find some turkey necks and hearts and gizzards to add to this weekend. This week has been chicken wings and thighs, pork chops with and without bones, chicken hearts, and ground beef/ ground turkey mix.
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Post by sherrylynne on Apr 3, 2009 22:35:21 GMT -5
You are doing so well with them  . No problems so far, I take it? If you are curious about what freeze dried to try, jojodancer of Casey's Hidden Pantry offers a sampler bag. It has a variety of different kinds, so you have a better idea of what you're kids will like or not like. Might be worth your time and money to check it out! Inexpensive, too! And yes- that was a shameless plug for another forum member  |
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Post by michiskip on Apr 4, 2009 19:59:33 GMT -5
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Post by sherrylynne on Apr 4, 2009 21:52:30 GMT -5
Wow! Congratulations! That is a major hurdle for them Can you set me up a formal feeding schedule, including bone they are actually eating, including if it's chopped/smashed up? |
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Post by michiskip on Apr 7, 2009 18:40:19 GMT -5
Sorry it took so long to get back..the cable box on the road was lost to a storm and it took a couple of days for them to get to us.. I will get their schedule written down tonight and post it tomorrow...provided the internet doesn't go down again. They have not refused anything this week at all...I'm not ready to add another whole prey feeder right now but I am thinking of trying it as a treat occasionally. Its not much more getting a couple of extras when I go to get mice. I just only go about once a month for the others as they eat frozen not live.
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Post by sherrylynne on Apr 7, 2009 20:27:26 GMT -5
That sounds great . Good luck with the internet! Sounds like there are a lot of storms going on! Stay safe! |
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