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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 10, 2009 2:09:18 GMT -5
Name: Marissa HF Forum Username: Konotashi 1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets? There was a post in the diet section on another board. 2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.Mostly raw, but a little bit of whole prey thrown in would be great. 3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?I want my ferret to be on the best diet possible. That, and I want to reduce the risk of him getting insulinoma and save some money on litter and such. 4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?Yes - I already have him eating raw only, but still working up to where I don't have to chop it up as much, or at all. I also would like him to recognize prey animals such as mice as food. 5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?I own one male - Tesla. No known health problems, and is a good weight. He's about 5 - 6 months old. 6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)I feed him raw, but recently got him off of Marshall's diet, since that's what he was eating at the pet store. He doesn't get many treats, but he gets a ferret fry every once in a while. I also put fish oil on some of his meals. 7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?Yes - it was a bit time consuming, but successful. 8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?I'm concerned about whether I'm feeding him right or not. He won't eat bones, but I also want to make sure what I feed him is nutritionally balanced. 9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?Every day for several hours per day. 10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). Tesla.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 10, 2009 2:14:55 GMT -5
Hi there! My name is Giuliana and I am going to be your new mentor. I'll be the person who helps guide you and your fuzzy towards a more natural diet. I am the creator/owner/admin of the Holistic Ferret Forum. I have 2 ferrets, a dog, and a cat. All were raised on a natural diet and continue to eat this diet. I've been owned by ferrets since 2006 and I've been feeding a natural diet since January 2007. I have experience with all kinds of natural diets for ferrets, everything from whole prey (live and frozen-thawed), to commercially made raw diets (frozen and freeze dried), to homemade prey model raw diets. I am currently a pre-veterinary student who plans to specialize in ferrets and nutrition for domestic pets. I can't wait to help you start your journey to more natural feeding for your little one. You say you have Tesla already eating raw. What foods is he currently eating? And how much do you chop it up? Is he totally off kibble? Once I know where you are at in the switch I can help to forumulate a plan to help your little guy get onto a complete and balanced natural diet. PS-He's a cutie!!!!
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Post by konotashi on Oct 10, 2009 13:17:12 GMT -5
Right now, he's been getting chicken parts, such as legs, hearts, and gizzards. Tonight I'm going to cut off the wings of the cornish hen I got for him and see if he'll eat that. (It took much longer to thaw than I thought it would!) The chunks he eats are fairly decent sized. Maybe about half the size of a large pink eraser? He's completely off of kibble.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 11, 2009 2:03:22 GMT -5
Well you are well on your way then. Excellent! Getting them off kibble is the hardest part, but he's young, so it probably wasn't too bad. Starting out with the game hen wings is a good idea. You can also use regular chicken wings chopped into thirds (at the joints) or chicken wingettes. Cut some gashes into the meat so he can get a good grip. Playing "tug of war" also is a good way to get him to sink his teeth in and learn how to rip, crunch, and slice through the meat and bone. Let me know how it goes!
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Post by konotashi on Oct 11, 2009 2:38:48 GMT -5
I mutilated the whole chicken. Instead of dreading it as a chore, I had some fun with it, and my friend, who was sitting at the bar, was cringing the whole time, saying she was thinking about going vegetarian. I separated it into meals and offered him the tip of the wing. Right now he's just lapping up the juice I poured on it for a bit more flavor. Hoping he eats it! I made the chunks considerably larger, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 12, 2009 4:05:40 GMT -5
Its really neat to see the way the parts of the chicken all fit together. But I'm a pre-vet student so that stuff fascinates me. Let me know how it goes. Hopefully he'll give it a try. You can always take the segment of a chicken and smash the bone so that some of the marrow is exposed. Its really goey and runny and wet. Alot of ferrets go bonkers when the realize that marrow is delicious. They will start crunching bones to get to the gooey insides. Keep me posted!
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Post by konotashi on Oct 12, 2009 16:20:51 GMT -5
I took his food out when he didn't eat anything aside from the chicken wing, so it was in there probably 3 hours? No longer than 4. I stuck it back in the freezer and offered it to him again frozen. It was so funny watching him try to eat it! He ate it ALL. I was so proud of him! I looked all around the cage, all over the inside of the cage, and didn't find anything, including the chicken back! *Dance* I made a video to show how much larger the pieces are. That and because I wanted to record the triumphant moment of him eating the bones. www.youtube.com/watch?v=A83wbsNI-2k
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 13, 2009 7:02:06 GMT -5
EXCELLENT! I am so proud of him. I remember I recorded it when my crew ate a whole part of the chicken for the first time. I was a proud, proud mama I would recommend giving him pieces of chicken about that size for the next week. Starting next week if all goes well then we will start introducing whole pieces like whole thighs, whole wings, whole backs, whole necks, whole drunmsticks, etc. I loved the video. Thanks for posting it.
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Post by konotashi on Oct 14, 2009 3:21:04 GMT -5
Offered him some very large chunks for dinner tonight, and he's mowin' down on it! I love watching his face scrunch up.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 16, 2009 11:05:15 GMT -5
Isn't it funny how they scrunch their face? Always cracked me up. lol! About how big are the chunks would you say? Also, how often per day are you currently feeding him? Once daily? Twice daily? Free feeding? I personally feed my ferrets 2x per day, but with a kit under a year I recommend atleast 3x per day (if you are doing the meal feeding method). If you are free feeding, then whole raw meaty bones can be left in the cage from 12-15 hours before they start to get yucky and slimy. Whole prey can be left out for a full day, as long as its not been ripped open (as nasty as that sounds). Be sure to check the cage daily for hidden hunks of meat! Especially in the blankets and sleep sacks!
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Post by konotashi on Oct 19, 2009 22:52:45 GMT -5
I'd say that the largest chunks are about the size of my cell phone, maybe a bit smaller. (I have an LG Chocolate).
I feed him 2x each day, each meal being approximately 1 oz. I put everything in 2 oz. bags, but he eats about half of that each time. He was being fed 3x a day, but I skipped the middle meal since he hardly touched it.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 21, 2009 10:44:06 GMT -5
Wonderful! Those are some big pieces, that is perfect. So I take it he's doing okay with the bones then?
I only feed my guys 2x per day. Some ferrets that are under a year need to eat more frequently, but others don't. Sounds like Tesla is getting to the point where he doesnt need so many meals.
So are the only meats he's tried so far chicken? Has he tried beef or pork or fish or anything else?
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Post by konotashi on Oct 21, 2009 17:55:36 GMT -5
So far, he's only got chicken. I'd like to see if he'd eat a whole mouse, though with the fur and all.
He's been eating the bones pretty well, but they're normally last to go.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 25, 2009 2:12:22 GMT -5
Yeah, thats not unusual for them to eat the bones last. I'd throw him a different kind of meat and see how he does. Expand his pallate horizons now while he's still young. You can also try giving him a mouse, as you mentioned. Let me know how it goes.
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Post by konotashi on Oct 26, 2009 21:30:13 GMT -5
Gave him some raw, ground turkey and he sort of turned his nose up at it. I think I'll wait until he's hungry next time. I'll try to get him some mice sometime this week. I'll cut it open for him if he doesn't eat it at first.
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