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Post by fretki on Apr 23, 2015 14:43:57 GMT -5
Yes, if you'd like to order from HareToday, go ahead and check out what you feel ok with... unfortunately as I mentioned, HareToday is one of those websites I can't access, so you would have to copy paste the things you'd like to order. Do you have enough freezer space to store a HT order? In the meantime if you'd like to try something from Bravo and/or VitalEssentials, we could already check what your ferrets say about trying new food? The only condition so far from my side: please select a product without any veggies/fruits. Oh, how bad! I think we'll have to leave out the home made food then... I'm not even sure if I would feed it to a cat or dog, but I don't own any other pets than ferrets for the moment. I'm looking into fostering a dog and my neighbours cats love to "help" me clean my ferret's stashes (giggle) So my knowledge about feeding other carnivores is very limited. Just one very important thing about commercial food: usually they aren't the best option regarding oral health, so even if I forget to mention it later on, please make sure to check their teeth on a regular basis and brush their teeth regularly! The other option would be to feed them things with bone in to gnaw on on a regular basis, like chicken wings or rabbit parts or cornish game hen or quail; I don't know if this is still within your comfort zone? Wish me luck, I had a frozen raw order arrive today and just got a notification that another supplier will deliver tomorrow (I was expecting it in a few weeks), I really hope my freezer still has enough space
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2015 8:07:41 GMT -5
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Post by fretki on Apr 28, 2015 13:33:53 GMT -5
Thank you for the screenshots! I wanted to reply earlier, but I can't access the images at work (security issues), so had to view them later. Actually all your suggestions look good to me, you won't need a lot of organ only grinds, but now in the beginning the most important thing will be to get your ferrets used to different flavour and textures and then do the balancing for their long term health. I wouldn't start with "all in" grinds, having feathers and/or fur in it; usually those are easier to introduce later, if you want to incorporate them in their meal plans. Do they have grinds without bone as well? If I understood it correctly the chicken necks are entire necks, would it be ok for you to feed entire necks? If yes we'll have to work your ferrets up to that size of bone, it would be excellent for their teeth
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2015 22:05:32 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2015 22:38:41 GMT -5
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Post by fretki on May 2, 2015 10:57:02 GMT -5
Yes, go ahead and order those 4 grinds. (dance)
I asked about bonless grinds, because some of the grinds have a rather high bone content, it should be above 10% to count as a complete balanced meal, but 27% might be a bit high... it will depend on the ferrets, if they get constipated, it might be too high for them... just to know if there are alternatives. the other option would be to feed chunks of meat as a boneless part instead of grinds. Or do "try and error" and find out which bone content in grinds they tolerate well and only order those ones in the future.
I think it isn't worth to order necks now, might be a bit early... would you mind to feed chicken wings? That would be something you could pick up from a regular store and freeze individually, so we could try a piece of wing from time to time?
Ohhhhh! Have you tried the "straight" chicken formula already with your ferrets, what's the verdict, do they like it? It doesn't look bad from the ingredients list: - animal only, so really suitable for strict carnivores - single protein, which is great in case of allergies - no too high bone content, so certainly a good starter
is it convenient to use? how does the grind look, is it really fine or a coarse one?
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Post by fretki on May 2, 2015 11:11:14 GMT -5
maybe I should explain it a bit better, so you can answer it easier, what we could do is in the long run do a meal plan that looks like this (note it is just an example, it will be up to you what goes best with you, your ferrets, your situation and your freezer space)
Monday: am: grind heavy in bone pm: bonless grind
Tuesday: am: chicken wings to clean teeth pm: grind with high organ content
Wednesday: am: grind with a good overall balance (enough bone, enough organ, but not too much of both) pm: grind with a good overall balance (enough bone, enough organ; but not too much of both)
Thursday: am: grind heavy in bone pm: chunks of meat
and so on... I just made something up, as I don't know the products yet, but just to give you an idea.
the other thing which might be necessary is to supplement taurine, if the diet is heavy in grinds, it would be best advised to supplement, as taurine content degrades with the grinding process.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2015 8:09:56 GMT -5
Great! Im excited to order them it feels like its gonna start moving fast (dance) As far as the chicken wings, I think I can handle that! what should I look for at the store? Just any chicken wing? The "straight" chicken formula is a work in progress! We are currently at the stage where I am trying to convince them its not poison haha! Ive been enticing them with a fork. Eugene is fond of it and will eat it when I show it to him with the fork, but in the bowl he's still unsure. I think its the way it looks maybe? We will continue to work on it! Weasel on the other hand is not crazy about it. She keeps spitting and looking at me like I'm crazy (maybe in my head cause she's only a ferret but I swear thats what it looks like!) I will continue to try it out Ive still been letting them have the Stella and Chewys while I'm at work though, as I am nervous of her not eating it while I'm on an 11 hour shift! Hope that is okay! I have no problem with what ever diet plan you come up with! I'm really laid back and flexible. Basically as long as I know it is good for them..I am able to do it Would you think feeding them the mice I had sent in the long run would help? I only ask because I saw it said something about taurine in the description. I don't understand much so if supplementing is what I would need to do I could certainly make that happen
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2015 8:03:10 GMT -5
Just giving an update: we are still working on the chicken I have them trying..they're a bit more persistent with not eating this one but I think we will get there.
I'm still waiting for the hare today order to get here. It should be here today or tomorrow.
I'm feeling nervous because Eugene has been sneezing and wheezing a lot the last week. I'm not sure if it's allergy related or what..and I know it has nothing to do with the food. More just venting I suppose.. I'm not sure if it is worth a trip to the vet or not..
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Post by fretki on May 8, 2015 16:22:43 GMT -5
Just checking in to see if you got your HareToday order Will write a full answer tomorrow, too tired tonight... I was working on modifying the ferret enclosure today, was fun, but I feel physically tired, this was a good workout, haha! ;D Is Eugene shedding? Sometimes coat change can make them sneeze and caugh a little more... Any other change besides new food? Sent from my SM-G900F using proboards
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Post by fretki on May 9, 2015 13:21:09 GMT -5
Regarding the chicken wings, look for plain wings, nothing enhanced or injected with saline solution, pure chicken wing, nothing else Yes of course, try to get them to eat small quantities of the new food when you are home, could you mix it with the S&C? And let them have their usual food when you are away! Yes, mice would be excellent, would you prefer to feed them whole or ground? Does Eugene feel better or still sneezing? Would you mind to post a menu on tuesday (or any other day of your choice) with which S&C they ate on which day and how their weights and activity levels are? There is an example in the initial mentoring program post: "Please copy/paste this very short questionnaire into your switching thread every Sunday/Monday. 1. Ferret's name: 2. Ferret's weight: 3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal. 4. Stools on various proteins. 5. Activity levels: 6. Weekly menu: Example would be: Vincent, 3lbs 2oz(1417g), small chicken wing chopped into 2" pieces, bone and all. Stools good colour and consistency. Played as per normal. Willow, 1lb 4oz(567g), 2 tbsp commercial raw turkey, hand fed. Stools good colour and consistency. Very hyper when up, playing for 2-3 hours at a time. Mr. Frodo, 4lb 4oz(1928g), 1/4c pork slivers mixed with soup. Stools slightly loose, somewhat seedy, and pale in colour. Somewhat more tired, plays for 30 minutes, then finds somewhere to sleep. Flat ferreting more often. Weekly menu was: Monday: chicken legs Tuesday: Commercial raw Wednesday: Soup with pork slivers Etc. Just write what you actually fed them. Also, to help us make sure your ferret is doing well during his switch, a picture from above showing his body shape clearly would be appreciated bi-weekly, but is not essential. Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/61/sign-mentoring-program#ixzz3ZfPRFqqM"
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2015 8:31:00 GMT -5
The hare today order has arrived!!!! (dance) Im so excited to start this! Eugene wasn't shedding..but Weasel has shed her entire coat! That is a good point..it may have had something to do with that. Her coat has gotten so much more sleek since we've switched to the Stella and Chewys! Hopefully his will too soon. The sneezing has slowed down which makes me feel better..but I still want to keep a close eye on him. I will pick up the chicken wings ASAP. I will certainly start mixing in the food to get them into it. Hopefully it goes as well as it has been. They offered the ground mice on the Hare Today website! I had posted a screen shot of it in one of the previous posts..I can repost if necessary! I will certainly post the menu..I will try to do it this Wednesday as I will be off and it will be much easier!
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Post by fretki on May 13, 2015 15:47:40 GMT -5
Yay! Have you already tried the new grinds? *curious* Is the mice grind with fur? I guess so from the screenshot? You can give it a try with your next order, usually whole grinds (with fur or feathers) might be a bit hard to get them to eat it, but you never know... just be prepared to try and try and try Sent from my SM-G900F using proboards
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2015 11:01:17 GMT -5
Hello!! I'm just posting to get back on track! I hope you have received my message and I appreciate the understanding of the brief pause on all of this. Now that everything is back to normal, I am going to start mixing in the grinds with their food. Good news..the chicken grind I had started with is officially acceptable! They will eat it for me now (dance) Hopefully the rest of the grinds go the same way! I will try the mice grind next order. It should be a fun adventure tehe!! Like you had requested, I will have the menu up Tuesday I apologize again for not having it up Wednesday.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 21:27:36 GMT -5
Eugene Saturday: 2lbs, 1 oz (he seems to be losing weight), Stella and Chewy’s Turkey 2.7 oz . Finished this so added Stella and Chewy’s Chicken 4.6 oz at night, which was then half way eaten.Smaller stool than used to. played normally Weasel Saturday: 2lbs, 5oz (shes really gaining weight since doing this!) Stella and Chewy’s Turkey 2.7 oz . Finished this so added Stella and Chewy’s Chicken 4.6 oz at night, which was then half way eaten. Smaller stool than used to. played briefly then went to sleep..which is unusual for her. Eugene Sunday: 2lbs, 7oz. Stella and Chewy’s Chicken 3.3 oz..left 1/4. Then at night gave Stella and Chewy’s Chicken mixed with chicken grind 3 oz.. left 1/4 of food. stool normal. Activity levels normal Weasel Sunday: 2lbs, 5 oz. Stella and Chewy’s Chicken 3.3 oz..left 1/4. Then at night gave Stella and Chewy’s Chicken mixed with chicken grind 3 oz.. left 1/4 of food. stool normal. Activity levels normal Eugene Monday: 2lbs 8oz. Stella and Chewy’s Chicken 3oz..left 1/3. Then at night gave Stella and Chewy’s Chicken mixed with chicken grind 3 oz.. left 1/4 of food. stool normal. Activity levels normal Weasel Monday: 2lbs 5oz. Stella and Chewy’s Chicken 3 oz..left 1/3. Then at night gave Stella and Chewy’s Chicken mixed with chicken grind 2.4 oz.. left of food. stool normal. Activity levels normal
Eugene Tuesday: 2bs 8oz. Stella and Chewy’s Chicken mixed with rabbit grind (mostly rabbit) 4 oz, left half. Then gave Stella and Chewys Chicken 2.6 oz..currently being eaten. Stool normal Activity level high Weasel Tuesday: 2lbs 4oz. Stella and Chewy’s Chicken mixed with rabbit grind (mostly rabbit) 4 oz, left half. Then gave Stella and Chewys Chicken 2.6 oz..currently being eaten. Stool normal Activity level high for about an hour than rested remainder of day. Weekly Menu (so far)Saturday: Stella and Chewy’s Turkey, Stella and Chewy’s Chicken Sunday: Stella and Chewy’s Chicken, Straight Answers Chicken Grind Monday: Stella and Chewy’s Chicken, Straight Answers Chicken Grind Tuesday: Stella and Chewy’s Chicken, Hare Today Rabbit Grind How do you suggest I measure exactly what each ferret is eating? I am having a hard time because they do not eat as soon as it is put out. I hope this is okay!! Im welcome to any constructive criticism and will do it differently if necessary. Should I be looking out for anything specific when it comes to stool? I notice it varies with different protiens. It also is certainly smaller than when they used to be on kibble..which I believe I read is normal. I get nervous for it. Thank you for your patience!
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