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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2015 20:45:39 GMT -5
I'm considering bringing a pair of ferrets into the household, as my wife has been wanting some for quite a while now.
As such I've been doing my research for a bit now and came across this place. The 'kibble' diets available seem simple and easy, but some of the alternative diets talked about here may be somewhat practical.
We already keep a pretty large variety of pets, including multiple snakes. To feed the snakes I've been raising ASFs (African Soft Furred Rats) for years now. It would likely be easy enough to increase my breeding colonies to whatever would be necessary to support a couple ferrets. Currently running 4 colonies of 1.4, with anywhere from 50-100 in various stages of growing.
Also breed dubia roaches for our gecko and tarantulas. Would ferrets have much interest in these?
So my questions would be...
- a pair of ferrets would require how many ASFs per day? Would likely be feeding off rats in the 30-40g range as they reach that weight quickly and the space requirements are still lower
- How much supplemental feeding of other items, if any, would be required?
- If additional food types are required, what are the simplest and easiest options? Unfortunately a lot of the food items I've seen talked about here wouldn't be easily obtainable in my location. There is a reason I breed the food for my other pets.
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Post by Heather on Oct 20, 2015 20:58:03 GMT -5
Thank you for doing your homework before getting your little ones :thumbsup:
ASF is a great starter for 1 protein source. If you're going to feed prey, then you've got to get at least 2 other forms of prey. To cover their dietary needs they require a minimum of 3 different protein sources.
As far as numbers it would depend on age, gender and season. My hobs eat about one and a half ASF rats in a day per ferret. My 3 jills eat 2 to 3 depending on the season. They also eat quail, full sized rats, rabbits and mice
Unfortunately, you cannot feed them just the ASF rats and cover their dietary needs. You can feed frankenprey the breakdown of those needs are in various pinned posts in this section of the forum
ciao
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Post by Corvidophile on Oct 21, 2015 9:29:00 GMT -5
They can and do eat roaches, just have to convince them it's food.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 21, 2015 11:21:03 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2015 16:28:36 GMT -5
So it's been a while, but spent that time putting together and getting all the various supplies needed for these critters.
Still trying to sort out exactly what direction to start off with for food, but am currently leaning towards always having 'kibble' available to them, supplemented with ASF's multiple times a week, and potentially I'd look at introducing the occasional bowl of the... frankenfood, or depending on availability some other type of whole prey.
The kibble I've decided on based on the information I've found here, and other sites, is GO! Fit + Free - Chicken, Turkey Duck. It seems to check off all the boxes. First five ingredients are Chicken Meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey, Turkey meal, chicken fat. 48% Protein, 18% Fat. It is however a cat food, but all the foods targeted towards ferrets that I can find at the local pet stores here are utter crap, barely a step above feeding them corn mixed with dirt and feathers. From my reading it seems pretty commonplace to feed them cat food anyhow.
Reasoning behind not going fully into the whole prey, or frankenfoods style, is that I am in the military and so can be out of town for a few days/weeks/months at a time. I normally do all the feeding and cleaning on all the pets, so I'm looking to keep things as simple and practical as possible in the event that I have to dissapear for a while. I figure if kibble remains their primary diet, with ASFs and/or frankenfoods supplementing, if necessary they can convert to a pure kibble diet for a while. They probably wouldn't be as happy with it, but it's better than a lifetime of kibble if nothing else.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of feeding plan? I'm interested in finding out what potential problems I should expect. I've read that they can be pretty picky eaters, are they so picky that they would ignore the kibble for 24+ hours in the expectation that other food is coming eventually?
Healthwise, even if it just ends up being Kibble supplemented with ASF's, that would hit the minimum 3 protein sources with the variety found in the kibble, would it not? This sort of diet, what health issues, if any, should be expected, or watched for?
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Post by unclejoe on Nov 23, 2015 17:11:06 GMT -5
Go! is a decent food for ferrets. We feed a mix of kibble and raw.
Your username is ironically appropriate, as you will become obsessed with observing ferret poop, and keeping it where it needs to be, and finding it where it shouldn't be. :heehee:
Welcome to the group. :wave3:
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2015 20:10:35 GMT -5
Hahaha, no stranger to observing poop. These guys's would be cute in comparison to my boa's. Though fortunately she only produces it every couple weeks.
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Post by mjbez on Nov 24, 2015 15:44:03 GMT -5
Just out of curiousity... would you consider doing a dehydrated raw or commercial raw instead of kibble? Both those raw options are easy in terms of convenience and a healthier option imo. No fillers etc. You would just need to check out the brands and make sure they are balanced (many are but not all) - do they have bones, organ meat and hearts included** (for hearts included you sometimes need to look at the foods targeted towards cats). I feed some orijen freeze dried (treats) but they make a freeze dried food - not 100% sure if it is balanced. I also feed Nature's variety frozen commercial raw. (but there are many other good brands), just make sure the brand you choose is 100% meat or minimal veggies, NV has 5% veggies, I would NOT go higher than that. Com raw comes in many proteins so getting at least 3 protein diet with your rats included would be easy  You will want at least one dark meat in your rotation. Ferrets are less stinky on raw, and have better overall health. Just some food for thought  Good luck on your decision and good on ya for doing your research! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2015 17:44:46 GMT -5
I wouldn't be adverse to looking into that at all. Never seen dehydrated raw however, and the only commercial raw I've seen around is geared towards dogs, and usually full of potatoes and/or vegetables. Unsure if its an issue or not with ferrets, but its also generally extremely fatty pieces of meat. Had my dog on some for a while, and the weight gain was incredible, despite highly restricted portions.
What brands would you look up for ferret appropriate ones, what stores would potentially carry it? Bearing in mind my location (Somewhat close to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), so the selection tends to be significantly less than the U.S..
I searched the websites of a few chain retailers in the area, and only one carried dehydrated food, which was for dogs. First Ingredient Chicken, 2nd Quinoa. Also priced at $10/lb, at that price point I could feed em T-Bones, and save money!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2015 21:36:14 GMT -5
So a couple days ago I went ahead and gave in. We went and picked up a pair of ferrets, supposedly both are 10wks old, but the male is approximately half the size of the female, so I'm pretty doubtful. Far more entertaining critters to watch run around the room than I had anticipated. Also so vengeful! If I remove them from an area or stop them from doing something, the next few minutes I have to spend defending my feet from attacks. Hilarious, at least until they get a good grip on a toe! Food wise, seems kits are easy to introduce food to. Gave them each a rat on the first day. The larger one didn't have a clue it was Food until the smaller got halfway through his. I guess the smell hit her, as she suddenly tore into hers with a vengeance. Since then they've had no issues taking them, and have also has some chicken. Aside from the war on my toes, the only real issue has been the litter box. Seems they'll use it half the time only. Seems daily there is a couple piles in each corner as well as the litter box. Cage is a ferret nation, 2 bi-level cages stacked. Litter pan in each main level, using "fresh news" brand litter. Any advice there?   |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2015 10:17:27 GMT -5
Glad things are going well. I don't know if anyone else responded to you or not, but when they are going for your toes it's not being vengeful. They are inviting you to play with them. |
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Post by mjbez on Nov 28, 2015 20:23:47 GMT -5
I wouldn't be adverse to looking into that at all. Never seen dehydrated raw however, and the only commercial raw I've seen around is geared towards dogs, and usually full of potatoes and/or vegetables. Unsure if its an issue or not with ferrets, but its also generally extremely fatty pieces of meat. Had my dog on some for a while, and the weight gain was incredible, despite highly restricted portions. What brands would you look up for ferret appropriate ones, what stores would potentially carry it? Bearing in mind my location (Somewhat close to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), so the selection tends to be significantly less than the U.S.. I searched the websites of a few chain retailers in the area, and only one carried dehydrated food, which was for dogs. First Ingredient Chicken, 2nd Quinoa. Also priced at $10/lb, at that price point I could feed em T-Bones, and save money! I am also in Canada. I find my foods at local pet specialty shops. I think a couple brands can be found at my Petsmart and Petland as well, but are more expensive there. Look up some brands and your city in google and it might yeild some results of where to go Do not use products with quinoa or potatoes. Look for products that are all meat or VERY close to (like Natures Variety) Here are some links for you. Definitely look into raw sooner than later, as they are easier to switch when they are young! holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/17099/commercial-grinds (NV is not listed under the com raw but it is an option as well) holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/18298/talk-commercial-rawGood luck with your new little ones! They are adorable!! |
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