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Post by shilohismygirl on Sept 4, 2010 21:12:53 GMT -5
So, I just got paid friday, and bought a hundred pinkies and a hundred older mice, about medium to full grown (frozen). I'm kind of sketchy on their familiarity with eating them-they've had them before, but maybe only one a piece, and it was chopped into other things. They have been eating raw for about a month and a half, but I've never fed whole prey before. I'm so excited, because I know that having some of this in their diet will be so good for them. I have four in their cage right now, and I saw them licking them and one head is gone, so this is a good sign. However, I'm iffey on feeding them the older mice. How do you introduce those, since they are much bigger and furrier. I know it depends on the ferret, but I really want them to take to it fast. I suspect they will. Do you have any tips? Should I just throw one in, or chop it first until they get the hang of it?
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Post by Heather on Sept 4, 2010 22:31:31 GMT -5
I'm guessing that you've started with pinkies? You mentioned that you've bought them but you didn't say if that's what you started them on. I wouldn't move too fast. Let them get used to the pinkies and then move to the slightly larger mice. My guys started with juvenile rats so progression doesn't necessarily mean starting at the smallest and moving up the scale. I would use one or two at a time rather than wasting product by introducing a number of pieces all at once. As they gain confidence in what they're eating then I would progress to more and larger mice. Once they start at one level (furry) they will probably rapidly progress through to the largest size
ciao
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Post by shilohismygirl on Sept 4, 2010 23:45:07 GMT -5
I'm guessing that you've started with pinkies? You mentioned that you've boughtu didn't say if that's what you started them on. I wouldn't move too them but yo fast. Let them get used to the pinkies and then move to the slightly larger mice. My guys started with juvenile rats so progression doesn't necessarily mean starting at the smallest and moving up the scale. I would use one or two at a time rather than wasting product by introducing a number of pieces all at once. As they gain confidence in what they're eating then I would progress to more and larger mice. Once they start at one level (furry) they will probably rapidly progress through to the largest size ciao Yes, you're right. I started them on pinkies-I left that bit out-sorry! Very good advice-I never saw myself feeding whole prey so, I am grateful for the advice, now that I've become OK with handling mice. Thank you! |
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Post by shilohismygirl on Sept 5, 2010 15:23:52 GMT -5
So, the pinkies were consumed, but next time I will chop them up just to be sure that they get the idea about eating them. I'm proud of my little fuzzies. They're really flexible creatures when it comes to the switch. I thought it would be harder to convince my finicky girl to eat raw, but it wasn't, really.
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 5, 2010 18:57:19 GMT -5
If they are eating them whole, why chop them up? Just keep them eating the pinkies for a short while, then move up to the next size mouse. Once you start getting to the ones with fur, you may have to cut them open so they know there's food inside, but it should be ok.
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Post by Heather on Sept 5, 2010 20:17:37 GMT -5
I agree with sherrylynne. Don't go chopping when you don't have to. You may have to chop the whole mice in half just to let them know that there's food in those little packages  ciao |
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Post by shilohismygirl on Sept 5, 2010 21:07:19 GMT -5
Lol-thanks, guys! I am a little dense sometimes. Yes, I think they have the right idea about eating them now, so I'm proud. I'm going to give them a few more before bed to eat with dinner.
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Post by Heather on Sept 6, 2010 0:25:20 GMT -5
No, never give yourself a hard time about going off on a thought and finding out you're mistaken. The problem comes when you don't ask those questions and you make a mistake...then that's a problem  . Just a word of caution, there is little nutritional value in baby and juvenile mice. They are great switching tools or treats but only the adults offer a complete nutrional balance and only when fed with other proteins. You and your little ones are making great progress, fantastic job ciao |
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Post by shilohismygirl on Sept 6, 2010 7:36:34 GMT -5
Yes, I have heard that before, Heather. This is most certainly not their regular food intake, but more of a snack to go with their other foods. I put a couple in with their chicken and chicken/beef livers last night, and this morning they were gone! But, they're getting their diet of everything else too, they're more of a treat, to get them used to eating something resembling an adult mouse. Thank you so much for your help, guys!
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 6, 2010 9:02:46 GMT -5
Since they are eating the pinkies now, mixed with the regular meat, try giving them on their own, before their meal- if they eat them by themselves, they'll be more likely to accept the next step up as well.
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Post by shilohismygirl on Sept 6, 2010 13:39:47 GMT -5
Awesome! I'll do that before their dinner tonight  . |
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Post by katt on Sept 18, 2010 12:59:05 GMT -5
I progressed in size. I chopped pinkies into the regular food, then added whole pinkies to the regular food. Then I added whole fuzzies and he gobbled them up. Once he was eating furry mice, it was no problem to get him to eat bigger furry mice!
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Post by shilohismygirl on Oct 5, 2010 7:09:11 GMT -5
Hey, guys! They're all the way up to regular sized adult mice now. I'm hoping to order more from rodentpro soon. They LOVE their mice!!! <3 I love raw diet for them, and the vet was even happy with us doing that.
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Post by sherrylynne on Oct 5, 2010 11:06:42 GMT -5
Congrats!
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Post by Heather on Oct 5, 2010 12:15:45 GMT -5
Congratulations. Great job ciao |
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