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Post by moddedmama on Jul 4, 2008 12:47:42 GMT -5
I bought some of the game hens, same ones from Walmart, last night. Frozen hard as a rock so that will be for tomorrow probably. I have come up against an issue however, and not sure what to do. Smucky is losing weight, I don't think he's eating enough. I've seen him eat some (and in fact is eating now), but obviously it isn't enough. Mo seems to be doing fine, but I'm worried about Smucky. On top of this we are leaving on vacation for 5 days on Wednesday, grrrr. I'm considering putting them back on kibble until we get back from vacation. I don't want to have to worry about them not getting enough to eat while we are gone. I really don't want to have to do this after all the progress we've made, but neither do I feel it's fair to expect the people watching all our animals to have to worry about it. This wouldn't be permanent, as soon as we get back form vacation, I'd start the switch again. I really don't want to have to start over, especially since Mo seems to be doing really well. I don't know what to do.....
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 4, 2008 14:53:16 GMT -5
The only reason I would say "give them back kibble===for now" is because Smucky is losing weight AND you are going on vay-cay. I would give the kibble back. Let him get his weight up while you are gone, BUT could the people ALSO offer your ferrets a little raw each day in a seperate plate? That way you wont TOTALLY have to start at square one. You know? Raw meat can be left out for 24 hours (as long as its cool, which it SHOULD be because ferrets can tolerate high temps).
Now as for Smucky losing weight, Im happy to hear he is eating, but you are right he'll need to eat more. When you get back from vay-cay be sure to offer him plenty of "easy to eat" meat chunks IN ADDITION to his bone-in meat. You can also get some fattier meats (lamb, beef, and pork are GREAT) to feed in addition to the chicken (which you need to provide because of the bone). This is one way to bring his weight up.
Also, you can add a little organic heavy whipping cream (not WHIPPED cream, whippING cream) as a treat or on top of his food. The fat content can help to boost his weight.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 4, 2008 14:56:03 GMT -5
Ah! Also meant to say that if Smucky was a little pudgy before the switch, its OK if he loses some weight. Its a problem IF his hip bones are extra prominent and you can REALLY see/feel them. Is this the case?
Also bear in mind that some seasonal weightloss IS normal. As long as a ferret isnt emaciated, its OK for them to "get skinnier" when they get onto raw. I dont know for sure, but its possible that he had a little extra pudge that he could afford to lose (this was the case with one of the ferrets in my original busines, Weezie)
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Post by moddedmama on Jul 4, 2008 15:27:47 GMT -5
I know it's normal for them to lose some weight in the summer months, but he seems to have lost a lot, Not emaciated, but I can sort of see his hipbones, I'll try and get a pic later today. He was a little on the pudgy side to start, but not overly so. I bought some lamb last night at the store, Chris looked at me like I was crazy, he says the ferrets get to eat better than him now. HA HA.
I can certainly have the guys give them meat as well, can I have it out at the same time? I thought I read somewhere, that you shouldn't feed both at the same time, because of the differences in digesting the food. If not, could I feed them kibble, softened right?, during the day, and then at night, have them switch out the kibble for raw.
This really stinks, the vacation, though it's been planned since February has snuck up on me. This whole year feels like it's flying by....
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 4, 2008 15:31:26 GMT -5
If not, could I feed them kibble, softened right?, during the day, and then at night, have them switch out the kibble for raw. Exactly what I was thinking  Hmmmm....since I cant SEE and FEEL smucky, its hard for me to say. You really shouldnt be able to see your ferret's hip bones. You have a ferret nation, right? Is it a 142 or a 141? If its a 142 you can seperate the boys by locking up that ramp. Then you could feed them seperately and get an idea of how much Mo is eating and how much Smucky is eating. I would do this before you leave for vay-cay. (that way they dont have to stay seperated while you are away). It can be a good way to see HOW MUCH smucky eats and how much mo eats. But yes, that lamb will be a good way to fatten him up. You can also make a puree of ground burger meat (the fattiest you can find! and some heavy whipping cream) puree it up and add this "sauce" to the chicken and lamb. Its a good way to add calories, and hey, it might even entice him to eat more! |
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Post by moddedmama on Jul 4, 2008 16:01:28 GMT -5
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 4, 2008 17:13:50 GMT -5
Well to me he LOOKS fine, but how he feels in your hands is a different story. If he feels super boney, then thats not good. But if he feels lean and lithe with just a little bit of bone, thats generally ok.
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Post by moddedmama on Jul 7, 2008 8:54:16 GMT -5
I t could be I'm just paranoid, he's not super bony, but more so than Mo. Yesterday morning was the first day i fed them kibble again  , I fed them some lamb chunks last night. I have a question about bones. I know that I need to feed a variety of meats, but is it the same true for bones, or can I just feed the Cornish games hens for bones? This will be my last update before I leave for vacation, seeing as we are at somewhat of a standstill here, unless something dramatically changes. I will be back again next Monday. Ready to get this all started again. Have a great week!!! |
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 7, 2008 17:18:37 GMT -5
When it comes to bones I would just feed a variety of bones from different parts of a game hen or chicken: legs, thighs, wings, necks, tails. Make sense? Sorry you had to give the kibble back but dont worry, when you get back from vaycay you'll be (hopefully) refreshed and relaxed and you can come into the "home stretch" of switching your boys! You're almost there! Hang in there! |
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Post by moddedmama on Jul 14, 2008 10:18:52 GMT -5
Well I'm back, and happy to report all is NOT lost. When I fed them some lamb chunks, and bits of Cornish game hen last night, they both started eating it right away. YAY that makes me so happy.
Smucky doesn't look to have put on any weight, but he hasn't lost any more either, so I think I was just being a little paranoid, and he was maybe always a bit chunky before. He has lots of energy, so I will just keep an eye on him.
Is it okay to just stop the kibble now again as long as they are eating the meat, or should I phase it out.
I have a question about feeding a combination of whole prey, and raw diet. If you feed whole prey say 3-4 times a week and raw the other 3-4 days, would you still need to include a day of organ meat? Or would they get enough from the prey? I'm still trying to convince Chris of this, I think it would simply be easier than raw even, I'm not sure about cost though, can you give me a general idea of about how much i could expect my two boys to eat in one day or week. Say if I were to feed mice, chicks and quail about how many per week? of each. I know it's hard to say but just a general idea would be really really helpful.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 14, 2008 10:27:01 GMT -5
Well I'm back, and happy to report all is NOT lost. Yay!  When I fed them some lamb chunks, and bits of Cornish game hen last night, they both started eating it right away. YAY that makes me so happy. I'd be happy too. Sounds like your little buggers made some PERMANANT progress. Excellent! Smucky doesn't look to have put on any weight, but he hasn't lost any more either, so I think I was just being a little paranoid, and he was maybe always a bit chunky before. He has lots of energy, so I will just keep an eye on him. Seasonal weightloss, plus a switch to a better diet could have shaved a few extra ounces off of him Is it okay to just stop the kibble now again as long as they are eating the meat, or should I phase it out. Get it away from them asap, no "phasing out" just yank that crap outta your babies mouths  I have a question about feeding a combination of whole prey, and raw diet. If you feed whole prey say 3-4 times a week and raw the other 3-4 days, would you still need to include a day of organ meat? Or would they get enough from the prey? Technically, no, but most ferrets enjoy organ so it wouldnt HURT to give it that one day I'm still trying to convince Chris of this, I think it would simply be easier than raw even, I'm not sure about cost though, can you give me a general idea of about how much i could expect my two boys to eat in one day or week. Say if I were to feed mice, chicks and quail about how many per week? of each. I know it's hard to say but just a general idea would be really really helpful. I'll be honest, I think whole prey is the best diet Its what I feed my kids (except for this past month and this coming month----I ran out of prey so we've been feeding raw. I am picking some more prey August 23rd at the Buckeye Bash). BTW, prey feeding is NOT as messy as you'd think (many people are suprised by this), its not too expensive, and its SOOO much easier then raw. My 2 boys each eat 2-3 mice per day. They'll eat 1 rat, guinea pig, or young quail each. Rodentpro is the company you'll want to go with. The have a nice variety of prey, they are very inexpensive (although shipping will run a tad high BUT thats the price you pay for buying frozen goods To save $$$ order as much prey as you can so that you dont have to place another ordor (and pay more shipping $$$) again for a while. Before investing in prey be sure and try your guys out on some mice from a local petshop (frozen-thawed, of course ) Go to rodentpro.com and check out their prices. You'll want to feed mainly large and extra large mice, but buy a bag or two of pinkies/fuzzies/hoppers because its good to throw in some variety. Obviously, when feeding a meal of pinkies/fuzzies/hoppers you'll need to feed more then 2-3 mice Good luck! I have found whole prey to be my fav way to feed
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 16, 2008 19:46:48 GMT -5
How are they doing, Erica? Im looking for an update, the suspense is killing me!  |
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Post by moddedmama on Jul 17, 2008 11:54:50 GMT -5
Sorry, I'm still trying to get out of vacation mode, lol. They are doing great, definately eating more than before I left on vacation, maybe they wanted to make sure I don't put any kibble back either,  Smucky isn't losing any weight, so not worried there any longer either. I put in a drumette for the them last night, and they cleaned the bone, something they'd had trouble with before. So far they are eating lamb and pork chops, cut up, wingettes, the cornish game hen (they love these). And chicken thighs cut up. As well as chicken livers, hearts, and gizzards. They are eating smaller bones, the wing tips, the flat part of the wing, and the Cornish game hen bones. So all in all I'm super happy and the boys are doing great. |
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 17, 2008 13:59:57 GMT -5
Excellent!!!!!!  Erica you've done it! You've made the switch! You are succesfully feeding meat/bone/organ and a variety foods. Time to see your weekly feeding schedule! It might not be the same EVERY week, but can you give me a "sample schedule" of what you are feeding the boys each week? This way we can review the schedule and point out if you should feed more bone, more meat, less organ, more organ, etc. It ensures that you are "on track". Thank you! You are *this close* to "graduating"! Whoo hooo! You'll still be able to post your questions, but you will post them in the raw and whole prey sections of the board (and this thread will be moved to the archive). Yippiieee!!! Look at how far you've come!!! |
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Post by josiesmom on Jul 17, 2008 14:00:41 GMT -5
Yay! Absense made their hearts grow fonder, eh? Next time you go on vacation set up some small sandwich size baggies with their raw stuff, freeze it and have whomever is feeding set the morning bag out at night to thaw, and the night bag out in the morning to thaw. That way all the feeder has to do is unzip the baggie, dump in the dish and not have to touch the raw! Your kids can still eat great while you are away!
Freeze dried is also a great option for interim feeders that are squeamish about raw.
So glad to hear your kids have made the switch!
Cheers,
Kim
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