|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2014 21:53:56 GMT -5
Oh alright. For some reason I thought you were talking about the first feeding menu that included bonemeal as in the powder lol.
So what is the current size of the bone? About an inch, less? Take a picture? I want them on getting to the point where they're geting bone-in without being cut down into smaller pieces. We'll get there. It's the last thing to check off of the list.
Also, if it's not too much of a hassle.. Can you type up a new schedule including the turkey necks, if you're going to continue feeding it. It's good to keep practicing on the menu. The graduation menu gets looked at and if something is wrong, it must be redone from scratch. We don't want that to happen. =)
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 23:17:32 GMT -5
In this picture you can (kinda) see the size of the chicken feet and the necks. The necks are pretty big, more than an inch and they are all eating everything just fine. I did some shopping and portioned out the meals so this bowl was kinda just scraps I had that didn't fit into that bags. It's chicken thighs, chicken feet and turkey necks. Do they have to be eating the bone without it being cut up before I graduate? I didn't know that was a requirement. But Rhea is eating the bone pieces fantastically so I am including a picture of her eating! I will get that redone schedule to you asap.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2014 23:20:49 GMT -5
So I've been talking amongst some of the other mentors regarding bones and graduation. First, I soo thought the size of their bones were much smaller than that. So that's a plus! Second, How is Rhea on chicken wings? Any improvement? Do you feed the chicken wing tips (http://kriegerscience.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/chickenwingwithskin.jpg)? If Rhea is doing pretty good, and if she eats chicken wing tips.. then she's pretty much almost ready for graduation. Calisto and Portia are ready for graduation as they're eating organs, muscles, and bones without a problem. Moreover, if Rhea is having a little bit of problem with eating the chicken wings, would she eat it if you held it? How is she with cornish game hen bones? Does she eat them just like she eats the chicken feet or is she struggling like the chicken wings? Finally, how do you cut up your chicken wings? Just curious. Have you tried cutting it down the middle of the length of the bone. Maybe the bone marrow will lure her into eating the wings better. Let me know. I want to make sure she won't revert back to just eating around the bone. If she continues doing well, she can continue to have the bones cut up is she prefers it and you opt to do that after you graduate. So keep me updated on her progress with the chicken wings. The better she does, the more confident I'll feel to graduate you. =) It's in the horizon for sure, especially since I can see her munching on some bones.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2014 16:42:33 GMT -5
Any updates?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2014 21:23:22 GMT -5
I am sooo sorry I haven't been on. I had a family thing come up and had to fly to Florida for a few days. I thought you said you were in Florida... if so, I was about 40 minutes from Ocala. I actually brought my computer with me but things were so crazy I never even unpacked it. But I left my little ones with my boyfriend and got updates and pictures regularly. They were eating like normal. Rhea is doing well with the chicken wings. She eats them on her own and I don;'t have to hand feed them to her or anything. She loves the game hen and I imagine it's because the bones are much smaller than the chicken wings. She dove into that from the start, the wings were really the only thing she didn't seem to like since she started accepting the bones in general. When I cut the wings I try to expose as much of the marrow as possible without making the bone pieces too small. I always at least cut the long part in half and sometimes I give it a couple good whacks with the cleaver to break the bones in a few places so they notice the marrow inside. And here's the schedule I've been following... finally! lol
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2014 18:24:38 GMT -5
Ocala is a good 4 hrs away from me. But it's okay, things happen. I thought something bad happened. But glad it was just a trip and the kids were well taken care of.
Now, If Rhea is progressively doing good on chicken and even better on cgh, then we may be ready to graduate. It's up to you whether you want to continue working on bones with her on your own or with me to help. As long as she's getting an adaquate amount of chicken wings, turkey necks, etc AND having normal stools (not too runny, not too dry), then she's ready.
Now onto the menu. Looks great! Only thing, as before, is that a secondary organ other than liver is missing. If the supermarket still out of kidneys? =/ If so, then just cut one of the heart meals to half heart, half liver UNTIL you can find another organ (kidneys, brains, etc).
So change up the menu and I can submit it to Heather who will approve it (or tell us to redo it, I'll explain how you did feed kidneys but are/were out currently). While we wait for her to review it, you'll take the 5 question mini final exam, and if she approves you graduate. But, of course, this is only if you want to continue feeding them chunks of bones opposed to whole raw bones on your own. We can continue to work together if it makes you feel more comfortable. Let me know!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2014 3:11:56 GMT -5
Yes, I should have said before that I am still unable to find kidney. I can add it back whenever I find it or if I ever find another market with different organs. New menu ! I appreciate that you are willing to continue to work with me on getting the bigger pieces but I think that is something I can easily accomplish on my own with enough time. And Rhea is doing great with all the bones I put in front of her so I think I'm ready for the final quiz if you agree
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2014 16:23:27 GMT -5
Alright. As long as you remember that they do need another organ, so fingers crossed on finding kidneys soon, and that you'll continue to with Rhea on bones, then I have gone ahead and posted your menu to get approval for graduation.
Now, Here's your final exam. Should you get one of the following wrong, I'll explain why your response was wrong but will have to pick another question for you to answer. No rush and Good Luck.
Taurine 1. You have run out of heart, how much taurine supplement should your ferrets get? (be specific)
Bone 2. How can you tell if your ferret is getting too much or too little bone?
Organs 3. List 3 organs aside from liver.
Balance 4. Is it a good idea to mix muscle meat, bone in and organs all in one meal. Explain why.
Health 5. About how long is a ferret's digestion time?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2014 23:02:13 GMT -5
1. 500mg a day for each ferret so 250mg for breakfast and dinner
2. By looking at their stool. If their stool is too dry, too much bone. Too loose, too little bone
3. Heart, brain, kidney
4. No, each ferret will pick out the things they like and they won't be getting all the nutrients they need. It's practically impossible to monitor what each one is eating
5. 148–219 minutes
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2014 10:11:51 GMT -5
1. Correct 2. Correct 3. Correct 4. Correct 5. Technically correct. Their digestive tract is quite short, so around 3-4 hrs(180-240 mins).
Yay (dance). Now we want for Heather's approval of your menu.
How are the little ones doing?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2014 16:26:07 GMT -5
YAY!! can't wait for her approval!!
And they're doing great, eating all their food without any fuss :-)
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2014 7:56:24 GMT -5
Yay That's good. Still waiting =/ Let me send her a PM just in case.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Jun 26, 2014 16:58:21 GMT -5
Great stuff. I think the bone is a bit light....even one more meal would be better. How are the stools? Some ferrets can get by on lighter bone amounts but you're at the very bottom, so you can't go any less. I think you understand what you're doing, this is the only change that I would suggest. Try it and see what happens, you can always remove it if it's too much but I don't think it will be. Congratulations :goodjob: You've graduated and you're ready to walk this path alone, now . You have the foundation to help you feed your fuzzes in a more natural and healthy manner. Please remember that your learning never stops, and dietary needs change from ferret to ferret and throughout each their lives. I would like you to be aware that though you now have the capability and the knowledge to create your little ones diets you are never alone and that your mentor (you need only pm) is always available to you. The list is also a very good resource and you should always be aware that it's available to answer any questions you may have either about diet or care. Good luck, in a few days either Sherry or I will lock down this thread and place it in the archives but be aware that you can always look through it as a reference tool but you just will not be able to post to it. Your mentor will be in to congratulate you shortly . ciao
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2014 19:21:25 GMT -5
OMG!!!!!!!! You and the little ones graduated ^_^ Hold on let me get the kleenexes out, lol.
So glad that you're finally ready to continue without me, but don't forget that I'm always around, as well as the other mentors, to help with any questions. You also have my email should you have questions ^_^
Keep up the good work, hopefully you'll be able to find kidneys soon and keep working with Rhea with the bones. (dance)
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2014 15:13:11 GMT -5
Omg YAY!!! I'm sooo happy, thank you so much! My little guys are gonna be so happy and healthy with their new and improved diets an dI could not have done it without you!v Thank you soooo very much from me and my little ones
|
|