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Post by Kerit on Sept 16, 2009 14:29:12 GMT -5
I couldn't find it in a quick search... what's the maximum of day-old chicks per week? Is supplementing that meal with calcium a safer way to feed them more often?
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Post by weloveourweasels on Sept 16, 2009 18:19:54 GMT -5
You give chicks as often as you can give eggs
I think 2 or 3 eggs a week but don't quote me on that.
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 16, 2009 22:05:47 GMT -5
Mine get a meal of a couple chicks each a week. The idea is to give a variety of ages, for the different nutrients, and for me, once a week is enough for them. But not for them- they think they're candy
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Post by Heather on Sept 16, 2009 23:59:50 GMT -5
I would not feed any more than 2 or 3 x a week, and I would vary that. 1 meal one week, 3 meals the next....I wouldn't consistently feed 3 x a week any more than I will feed eggs 2 or 3 x in a week. I'm in agreement with weloveourweasels. You need to keep your calcium levels up...these little critters are very low in usable calcium. ciao
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ferretfreke
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Raw and Whole Prey Feeder[/b]
Posts: 235
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Post by ferretfreke on Sept 18, 2009 1:22:17 GMT -5
So I can feed my babies DO chicks more than once a week here and there?! They would love that. Like Sherry's they are like candy to my babies too. I've only been giving them once a week and sometimes not even that. Don't worry, I'm not saying I'm going to go crazy or anything. Just if I feel like spoiling them every once in a while, it's nice to know I can. I sent in a request to rodentpro that they sell varying ages of chicks and they responded saying they think it's a good idea and probably will be doing that in the future! I'm excited. The older the chick, the more calcium they offer right?
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Post by jccretarolo on Sept 18, 2009 4:59:46 GMT -5
For those who live in the U.S. and have room to raise chicks (to whatever size you want) I found that Cackle Hatchery has really good prices on there day old cockerels (100 for $30 and $28 for shipping) They also have smaller amounts but the price per chick goes up. They are out of chicks for the winter but will have them again in the spring and I'm planning on splitting an order with my sister so all our fuzzies can enjoy some meals of chicks.
Also do any of you know if its safe to feed them if I use a CO2 chamber to gas the chicks? Or should I try to find another way to kill them so I can freeze them?
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 18, 2009 19:04:49 GMT -5
From what I understand, a number of people use the CO2 chambers for mice as well, so it should be fine.
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ferretfreke
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Raw and Whole Prey Feeder[/b]
Posts: 235
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Post by ferretfreke on Sept 18, 2009 19:57:12 GMT -5
I have used a CO2 chamber with chicks and it is safe.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 16, 2009 12:39:48 GMT -5
I wouldn't feed more then one chick and one egg per ferret each week. Chicks not only are low in calcium but they really aren't a good source of other nutrients. Compared to other prey they are "junk food". They are certainly better then kibble, of course, but not super nutritious.
As far as the feeding of both eggs and chicks, in the wild polecats wouldn't encounter small chicks and eggs except for the spring (usually). This is why I only feed chicks and eggs during the spring to my ferrets. You can feed them both year round but the reason for limiting them to no more then once a week (each) is because they really dont make up a huge part of the polecat's diet, and this is what we base the diet of the ferret on. Hope this helps!
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Post by fuzziesr4me on Jan 15, 2010 11:07:38 GMT -5
I feed chicks about every other day. They are quite nutritious (especially if the yoke is intact). Though they wouldn't get them normally say in the wild.. they have optimun equivalent ratios of calcium and phos for ferrets (and for Eagles as well) not much different than the ratios in adult mice. One needs to remember that the ratios of cal and phos are the important thing here in the prey animal. Mice may be higher in calcium (adult) but it's not only the higher calcium that's important. If the ratio is off.. well that's bad. Also I can tell you that three 5 lb (muscle bound boys) have done quite well on a mainly DOC, mice and quail daily diet for years. Even their blood test prove it and they get a chick daily. Logged on to correct something.. That's one at almost 5 lbs (whole boy) and the two others at 4.4 and 4.6 respectively . Okay so one is kind of fat but he's big boned. Not your typical Marshalls guys. He's a rainbow fixed at 5 years.
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