|
Post by usmom on Jun 22, 2008 22:26:47 GMT -5
I have kits (about 10 weeks old) that I brought home today. They are still being fed moistened kibble. How do I start them? What should I be shooting for, as far as amounts and what specifically? I am new to a natural diet for ferrets, and need knowledge.
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jun 23, 2008 9:15:51 GMT -5
Hi Usmom! Its great to have you here. Why dont ya introuce yourself to the forum members by posting an intro in the "Member Introductions" section. Secondly, what are your furbabies names? and do you have pictures? We love pictures Anywhoo, congrats on wanting to pursue a more natural diet for your ferrets! I truely feel that diet is the cornerstone to good health. We have alot of friendly members on here that will bend over backwards to help you out. Because your ferrets are so young, the best way to get them started on a natural diet, is probably going to be just to switch em cold turkey Take away their kibble for about 6 hours (I recommend 12 hours for adult ferrets, but babies need to eat more, so 6-8 hours should do just fine). Offer plenty of water during this time, but no food. Then, take some raw boneless chicken and cut it up into "kibble sized" pieces. Take some kibble, crush it into a fine powder, and "bread" the chicken in the kibble dust. Give this to your babies. They SHOULD take to it right away. If not, you can coax them a little bit. or even warm (but not cook) it slightly to make it more enticing. Once your babies are eating kibble coated chunks, gradually increase the size of the chunks you offer. Also, wean them off that kibble coating. You should work your ferrets up to eating larger pieces of raw meat. Once they eat the chunks with ease, you can offer them a raw chicken wingette (not a wing a WINGETTE). This is a small section of a chicken wing. Giving these wingettes will teach them to eat bone. Nnow, because they are babies they WILL eat alot. Feed them as much as they will eat. A growing ferret kit has a VERY low chance of becoming overweight. Once they are off the kibble and on to raw (as in they are eating bone AND meat) you can start offering some organ meat, and widening the variety of meats you give your ferrets. We will guide you once you get to that point. But for now, get some chicken chunks and prepare for take off! Its great to have you aboard!
|
|
|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jun 23, 2008 10:07:10 GMT -5
Hi, and welcome
I have to disagree with Giuli in some parts. When i switch kits that young i take away the kibble like she said for about 6 hours. i then take a chunk of (about a 2 by 2 inch cube) plain not coated with kibble and play a little bit of tug or war with them to get the interested in the chicken and they usally take the chicken and there is no looking back. Other then that Giuli is right on the mark. Increase the size of the chunks, i useallt start out with wing tips and then to the whole wing. And feed them as much as they will eat, like human babies all they really want to do is eat and sleep right now. If you have any questions just PM and i will try to help you out the best that i can.
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jun 23, 2008 10:14:24 GMT -5
I have to disagree with Giuli in some parts. Just wanted to say, it makes me happy that my mentors feel comfortable saying something like this. Its always okay to disagree with me btw I promise I wont boot anyone off the forum for having a different opinion then me
|
|
|
Post by aleronferrets on Jun 23, 2008 13:05:43 GMT -5
Hi, and welcome I have to disagree with Giuli in some parts. When i switch kits that young i take away the kibble like she said for about 6 hours. i then take a chunk of (about a 2 by 2 inch cube) plain not coated with kibble and play a little bit of tug or war with them to get the interested in the chicken and they usally take the chicken and there is no looking back. Other then that Giuli is right on the mark. Increase the size of the chunks, i useallt start out with wing tips and then to the whole wing. And feed them as much as they will eat, like human babies all they really want to do is eat and sleep right now. If you have any questions just PM and i will try to help you out the best that i can. I have never had to even put that much effort into switching such young kits to raw. IME at that age they are still very open to trying new foods and can be switched just by offering them raw.
|
|
|
Post by amyandfuzzies6 on Jun 23, 2008 14:31:36 GMT -5
I'd have to agree about the kibble not being necessary - at least that's what I've found with youngsters. My latest fert came home at 12 weeks and, because I noticed him eating hard and soft kibble at the pet store, he just got a big chunk of cornish game hen. He ran around with it in the kitchen all excited for about an hour. Every time I popped in to check on him he had to find a REALLY good spot to stash it so I wouldn't take it After about an hour of this, he sat down and ATE for about a good hour! It was like he had been waiting 12 weeks for that meal . I can put almost anything raw and meaty in front of him and he'll eat it. At this young age they are still imprinting on food and usually quite receptive. I believe they continue imprinting on what is and what is not food until 6 months of age. You should have it easy with these youngsters as they don't have a kibble habit to break. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress
|
|
|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jun 23, 2008 16:03:26 GMT -5
I have never had to even put that much effort into switching such young kits to raw. IME at that age they are still very open to trying new foods and can be switched just by offering them raw. Your right that is probaly more effort then needed but its what i have done with the babies. Next time i will probaly just give a wing and see what happens
|
|
|
Post by usmom on Jun 23, 2008 18:19:23 GMT -5
Okay then. I have to make a shopping run tomorrow, so that is what I will get for them. They are very messy when they eat, I am hoping that along with healthier, its a bit neater, too!
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Jun 23, 2008 22:47:51 GMT -5
Hi Lots of good advice. Kits are an easy switch. Napoleon was munching and crunching before he left the store. The store manager was horrified I didn't even have to play with the food. Do try and orientate the kits to as many different types of protein meals as possible. Try not to introduce too many different proteins all at once. For example: Feed chicken this week. No reaction great...next week feed rabbit....no reaction?, great feed quail.....and so on. By the time you're done you should have a broad coverage of various proteins that your furbabies can eat. I will admit though I would be introducing bone asap. I'm a firm believer that meat can actually cause more problems than it cures if not done correctly. Bone provides calcium and other trace minerals and without these your ferret can develop some serious problems. Ferrets that are fed bone from the beginning are less likely to balk at eating it later. What do you plan to do regarding their diet? Are you going to continue with the raw or are you going to do whole prey? part raw part prey? They haven't had their tastes ingrained yet, they should be more than willing to try just about anything. Like most babies they put everything in their mouths. Please feel free to ask questions....we only ask for one thing in return...please post some pics . I have to live vicariously through others as I work rescue and rarely get to have kits in house.
|
|
|
Post by mustelidmusk on Jun 23, 2008 22:59:10 GMT -5
Hi!!! Welcome to the world of raw diet and robust ferrets One of the neat parts about raw diet is that is there are as many ways to switch as there are pople who feed raw!!! Even the end feeding program can vary significantly based upon your requirements....for example, I slow-switch my ferrets to raw without withdrawing kibble. My ferrets RARELY touch kibble (even though it's available at all times) , but they still recognize it as a food source.I feed frozen raw commercial diet, freeze-dried raw diet,raw meaty bones, eggs, organ meats, freeze-dried treats...and kibble. This approach provides me with the flexibility I require for travel and my job. In short, just let us know what logistical requirements you have,what direction you think you're looking toward, ask questions, etc.and we'll be happy to help you customize a healthy diet for your ferrets. I'll be happy to discuss slow-switching your ferrets, commercial raw diets and raw meaty bones if that's the type of diet you're interested in. A lot of times people start out with commercial diets and raw meaty bones and then switch to whole prey. Like I said - raw feeding offers lots options!!! -jennifer
|
|