Smashing Up Bone for "Beginner Ferrets"
Jun 9, 2015 10:52:53 GMT -5
raynebc, FerretsnFalcons, and 13 more like this
Post by Celene on Jun 9, 2015 10:52:53 GMT -5
I know when starting a ferret on bone everyone recommends to "smash it up" - but how exactly do you do that? After failing miserably with a hammer and ziploc bag and figuring out a much easier method, I've made a video.
The basic concept is to use a cleaver to smash it up the bones inside, while leaving the meat in a bigger chunk. Since this makes the meat "limp" ferrets don't realize there's bone until they're already crunching it!
Tips:
[li]Rabbit - all (although the "thighs" are still a little big for my girls)[/li]
[li]Frogs legs (almost fat free, so wouldn't recommend more than 1-2 times a week max)[/li]
[li]smaller fish[/li]
[li]rodents such as rats, mice, guinea pigs (adults are nutritionally balanced and are considered whole prey, babies are considered "treats" only)[/li][/ul]
The basic concept is to use a cleaver to smash it up the bones inside, while leaving the meat in a bigger chunk. Since this makes the meat "limp" ferrets don't realize there's bone until they're already crunching it!
Tips:
- Start with the softest/smallest bones possible. If you have big strong hobs they can't probably go straight to chicken wings, but my dainty little girls had absolutely no hope with those. Small birds such as quail or cornish game hen work well. The "softest" bones are probably the ribs and wing tips. When I started introducing bone I took game hen ribs and cut them into little french fries. You can freeze the bigger pieces for later when their jaw strength is improved.
- Smash up pretty thoroughly to start, then smash a little less each time until they can crunch through the whole bone.
- Gizzards (chicken, duck, etc.) are great for building up jaw strength and cleaning teeth while transitioning to bone.
- At first your ferret may chew a bit and then try and slurp the rest back like they would with muscle meat and start choking on bone. It can be scary and nerve wracking at first, but don't worry - they'll figure it out!
- When you break up bone enough for marrow to start oozing out, that's a good thing! Ferrets love the taste of marrow and that will encourage them to want to go straight for the bone.
Your ferret can, and WILL be eating bone in no time!
Edited to add a list of bones which ferrets can eat:
- Poultry:
- Quail, partridge, smaller birds - all
- Chicken and cornish game hen - all except thighs (although some ferrets can chomp through those too)
- Duck, goose, turkey, bigger birds - necks and wings
[li]Rabbit - all (although the "thighs" are still a little big for my girls)[/li]
[li]Frogs legs (almost fat free, so wouldn't recommend more than 1-2 times a week max)[/li]
[li]smaller fish[/li]
[li]rodents such as rats, mice, guinea pigs (adults are nutritionally balanced and are considered whole prey, babies are considered "treats" only)[/li][/ul]
thank you!
