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Post by Heather on Oct 23, 2015 22:14:10 GMT -5
Name: Avy Rivas HF Forum Username: That1FerretChick Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: Aye, I am almost 19 1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets? HFF 2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret. Fully raw diet, frozen-thawed, don’t think I could handle live, but have no problem with anything already dead, whole or chopped up. Although I do like the idea of just throwing a whole animal to them (dead of course). 3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet? Because they are my fur babies and I would do anything for them, I want them to live as long as possible. I also love educating guests on ferrets and healthy ferrets are healthy examples I just want them to be happy and healthy, and have you seen those before and after raw pics? That alone makes me want to switch! I also don’t care much for all the poopies and know raw will help. 4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? It's not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment? I am. I currently spend my time at home, all day, and figured this would be a perfect time to switch them, no conflicting engagements. I know it may take a long time but a few months is nothing compared to the rest of their lives. 5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for? I currently have five carpet sharks, all Marshalls, Courage and Loki came from pretty bad starts. Cheshire is 2 (will be 3 in Feb), girl, with no known health problems but is very very small (lengthwise) and only weighs 479.107g (1lb .9oz). I have owned her AND Spinner since May 2013 Spinner is 2 (will be 3 in Feb also), girl, with no known health problems and weighs 629.357g (1lb 6.2oz). Loki is 2 (will be 3 in Jan), boy, no known health problems and weighs 901.515g (1lb 15.8oz). I have owned him since April 6th 2014. Mycroft is 1 (will be 2 in may,) boy, no known health problems and weighs 1071.612g (2 lbs 5.8oz). I have owned him since Nov 26th 2014. Courage is ~2, boy, no known health problems and weighs 1255.885g (2lbs 12.3oz). I have owned him since september 7th of this year. 6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup? I’m currently switching between orijen kitten, and sometimes if that runs out between bags they’ll eat leftover blue buffalo grain free kitten food for a day or two. I also use salmon oil when clipping nails and as a treat, and during shedding season I have given them a whole quail egg or two (scrambled but uncooked) a week which they only sometimes eat. 7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened? I have not 8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share? I’m supposed to go to whidbey island one weekend a month (though I don't go that often), but once in awhile I do and have to leave my ferret feeding to my family. Would this be a problem (assuming they follow all instructions and record everything on paper?). I'm also keeping everything in a physical notebook as well as online. 9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer? I have the tapatalk app on my phone and can use it every day, and have access to a computer on weekdays (though I prefer the app). 10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentors (Poncesmom & Machan), will introduce themselves and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentors) so that your mentors can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentors and most of all relax and have fun (dance) . Your mentors are here to help you on this journey. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2015 11:27:21 GMT -5
Hi @that1ferretchick! @poncesmom and I are very excited to be your mentors. As you may already know, My name is Machan. I'm from Darley, Victoria, Australia. There may be a time difference since I'm from the future over here. I do hope that won't be an issue. I have three dumplings called Haru, Yuki & Beavis. If you want to know some more about me, check out my profile in the Meet Your Mentor Section. holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/176/meet-mentorYou already started an unofficial switch before this so I will leave the Link here for easy grabbing. holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/19346/avys-business-5-switching--- During the switching process, could you please copy and paste this 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: 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. You are required to post every second day during the "soup" stage of the transition. From the "sliver" stage, through to large chunks, you will be required to post a minimum of every 3 days. Once you hit the large chunks, once a week will be acceptable. If you wish to post into your thread more often, that will be MORE than welcome The above are simply the minimum requirements so we can help with sticky spots, and not have to "catch up" to where you are presently at. Failure to post as required will result in your switch coming to a standstill and will result in two warnings before being dropped from the mentoring program. If something comes up, and you need to be away, please contact your mentor letting her know how long you will be absent. FAILURE TO SUPPLY THE ABOVE QUESTIONNAIRE WILL RESULT IN TWO WARNINGS, ONE ISSUED IN THE SWITCHING THREAD, THEN NEXT VIA PM- THEN BEING DROPPED FROM THE MENTORING PROGRAM. BEING DROPPED FROM THE MENTORING THREAD WILL BE AT MY DISCRETION You may request readmittance to the mentoring program if you agree to abide by the above rules. But you must wait for the next available mentor. ---- Okay! So picking up from your unofficial switch, all of your five have done exceptionally well with the soupie and are now starting to have slivers with their soupie, correct?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2015 12:33:44 GMT -5
Oh gosh what a lovely thing to wake up to! Thank you so much @machan and @poncesmom or agreeing to help me on this journey! @machan your little babies are soooo cute! Loki, Spinner, and Cheshire are all on slivers, Courage is now in large chunks (chunks mostly pieces coated in soup) and Mycroft is still only taking it from my finger, but not happy about it each time. I will post pictures of everyone after I finish cooking (we have an exchange student here from Japan right now so things have been crazy, also why my first draft menu for them isn't finished yet). I know raw is all about balance and I don't want to throw anyone off, so I was wondering what would be safe to offer Courage without soup for the first time? He's doing really well and I wanted to offer him a piece of real food for the first time Also, everyone's potty was a little bit runny so I added a bit more powdered eggshell to this batch of soup. Is that okay? I've been reading through others switches, stickied threads, and online for info on feeding raw and keeping them in a notebook that I keep for my ferrets (along with vet visits, expenses, "profiles" on each of the ferrets, etc.) And time-zones shouldnt be a problem! When I'm on mobile at night/evening I see you online a lot Thanks again to both of you, I'm so grateful! Cheers!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2015 16:57:27 GMT -5
So I did these in a "before and after" type deal-io, hope that's okay, if not, I'll repost. Cheshire- Spinner- Loki- Mycroft- Courage- And I'll post the questionnaires on Mondays
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2015 17:01:51 GMT -5
Oh gosh I just reread annd saw that it only said top view, sorry
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2015 19:10:09 GMT -5
Hello Hello (dance)
I am so happy to be officially working with you now. Machan is wonderful and you will really enjoy her. She was my Mentee and stood out right from the beginning. She's a huge asset to the forum and you'll have alot of fun hearing all about her part of the world. She's a great researcher and interested in everything.
My bio is also on the Meet Your Mentor thread if you're curious about me. I'm on FB as Stephanie Smith Hoffmann if you want to reach me through there. I don't know if you're on the Holistic Ferret FB page but if you are not and would like to be, then simply ask and we will get you on there. Mentoring is done here but it's fun to see that side of our community also.
The pictures you posted are fine. We do like the dangling ones also. All of your business have shown a nice improvement. They look healthier and bigger already. You're doing a lovely job with them.
I'll check in again in the morning. Post as much as you like and please don't ever hesitate to ask questions or get clarification on something that you aren't sure of. We aim to please. Hugs to everyone and tell them we're going to have such fun and learn while we play. :wave3:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2015 20:00:35 GMT -5
It's our pleasure to be working with you I'm sure we will have a lot of fun! They all look very healthy. I can really see a difference so far since you started. Have you smelt their tails for the grape yet? Its so exciting and smells wonderful. Its also quite strange since we're not quite sure what causes the grape tail other than it happens to raw fed ferrets the most. I can see how their fur in the first photos are quite rough and coarse in appearance, while in the second photos they look smooth and shiny. Are you seeing a difference in how they feel yet? The coats become silky and soft. Its wonderful. Just the fact that Mycroft is taking the soupie from your finger is a good sign. Some ferrets progress faster than others. Courage seems to be doing incredibly well with the soupies, so trying him without some soupie, is alright. Balancing will happen in time, so don't stress too much about it at this stage. As you go through the switch, you can adjust and create a good menu that will fit for your ferrets and yourself. Since everyone had runny poop, you can increase the powdered egg shell to the soup. If the stools are hard and dry, less egg shell. You're catching on quite fast and doing all your research. (Its so fun!) I've been reading through others switches, stickied threads, and online for info on feeding raw and keeping them in a notebook that I keep for my ferrets (along with vet visits, expenses, "profiles" on each of the ferrets, etc.)I did all that also. You're quite a responsible ferrent! I have my own huge folder and its filled with print outs from when I was switching with Poncesmom. I wanted to have physical evidence for the next time I get a vet who encourages kibble over raw. I also did ferret profiles and medical notes. Its always handy to have everything on hand. It helps for emergencies and also makes it easier if you were to have a ferret sitter. And time-zones shouldnt be a problem! When I'm on mobile at night/evening I see you online a lot Thanks again to both of you, I'm so grateful! Cheers!I live on the forum. Well thats what it feels like hahaha! I wake up, check the forum. Lay down to sleep, check the forum. Having lunch, check the forum. Hehehe. Its great fun being here because everyone is very kind and so willing to help if anyone needs it. I have to go out now~ I have cockatiels who are wanting some fresh fruit so I'm off doing errands for their tummies. See you later!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2015 20:51:21 GMT -5
So I was making soup and it occurred to me that I've been making the soupie (following the recipe exactly), throwing all the ingredients in a food processor, and then cutting in extra pieces of meat each day with size varying on who I'm making it for. So when I do this it's actually adding more meat than the recipe says, is that correct? Sorry I'm juts kinda worrying because I don't wanna hurt them in any way Should I be soup-ing the liver/heart/eggshell and cut the meat in separate? And no grape tail yet but oh my gosh they're so much fluffier and softer already. And (probably my moms favorite part) you can't even smell their litter box any more. I clean it every morning but in the mornings she always complained about it before/while I was cleaning. Now, if there wasn't a huge Ferret Nation full of squirmy blankets then you wouldn't even know they're there!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2015 22:43:00 GMT -5
Sorry if I sound too paranoid I don't get off the farm much and so my ferrets are a huge part of my life every day, and I feel so young and inexperienced compared to the great people on here. I don't even know any other people IRL who have ferrets (except one person; someone I barely knew on Facebook needed to rehome their ferret and I didn't feel equipped to take another at the time, so she went to a friend I knew who wanted one, but we don't talk much). In fact, the only people I knew who had ferrets ended up giving them to me because they felt I would be a better ferrent (how I got Thor and Loki). My ex boyfriend also bought a ferret (adorably fat marked white Marshall boy) but we broke up before we could have play dates The guy made the mistake of asking "so what should I know about ferrets?" and practically got a 17 page thesis from me So in summary, I love them so much (as I'm sure we all do), and this community is my main resource and I just want the best for them haha rant over, Update: Loki isn't ready to move to bigger pieces yet, he just licks the soup off them and eats the smaller pieces. Spinner seems more keen on eating the bigger pieces than any of the 3, but she'll take a big chunk (from Courage's plate), drag it to the corner, lick the soup off, gnaw on it a bit, eat a few bites off it, then stash it and be done. She's eating off big chunks so does that mean she'd be ready to eat soup with bigger pieces and she was just too full to eat more? I also think they like rabbit more than chicken (though I know rabbit is high protein low fat and therefore not the best, we try to stick with the fattiest cuts of rabbit for ferrets). They eat less rabbit (more dense meat I think mom said?) but they seem more enthusiastic to eat it if that makes sense, it maybe just because that's what I made their first soup with. They eat the chicken just fine though, just seem to like rabbit more. When I brought food in this evening Mycroft saw everyone else eating off the plate and actually walked up, sniffed it, licked his nose (not the food) but then walked away. So close haha, it's still a battle with him, pick him up, hold a finger (or fork) with soup and he turns his head away until he gives up and licks it all off, we repeat this maybe 5 times every meal. Gosh the face he makes when he's being stubborn and trying not to let the soup touch his lips, he raises his top lips and kind of scowls and it almost reminds me of that "phteven dog" meme on the internet. But once again, as soon as he gives up, he licks everything off my finger/fork so that makes the battle worth it. All-in-all, everyone is at the same place as before except maybe Spinner. Will post questionnaire and weights and such tomorrow. And I read both your profiles and if you guys have any questions about me feel free to ask! Yes I do have a facebook, but really don't use it. Hope you both have a lovely night/evening/day, cheers.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 5:22:43 GMT -5
You mention soup-ing the liver/heart/egg shell further down. If you're following the recipe correctly it should be all balanced. The Chicken thigh meat, liver, heart and egg shell should be fine to be in soup form. Then you add extra muscle meat for the slivers. The recipe amounts should stay the same for the entire soup stage. When you add in slivers, just use extra meat rather than use the meat out of the ingredients for the soup, and simply decrease how much of the pre-made soup you feed and increase the amount of slivers. (If thats what was confusing you? does it make sense?) ( For example: A ferret eats 4 ounces per meal so you start with 4 ounces of soupie. Then when they go onto slivers, you decrease soupie to 3 ounces and add on 1 ounce slivers. Continue to decrease the soupie, and increase the slivers until all 4 ounces is completely slivers. ) Oh and extra pieces of meat is also quite fine as long as its muscle meat slivers. If it were to be organ you would more than likely get organ poops which are dark, and sometimes smelly. (but compared to kibble poop, its less smelly) If they were to get little too much organ they would more than likely have a runny poop as well. Liver as well, has vitamin A, which is a fat soluble vitamin and that builds up in their system. Vitamin A can become toxic in large dosages, that is why we limit it to 5% of their diet and the other 5% being an other organ. The raw diet is so healthy and tasty for our ferrets, and in return we get a fluffy snuggle buddy and no stinky litter hehehe. It's completely natural that you were concerned. It shows that you are a very responsible ferrent and really love your ferrets. I became paranoid today myself, I started showing symptoms for a cold. (OH NO, A COLD = NO SNUGGLES. ME OR MY FERRETS WILL DIIIIIIEEE- kidding, It wasn't that dramatic) Ferrets can't actually catch human colds, I thought I would mention that. But they can catch human flu's, and I like to be cautious. Believe it or not, I've had ferrets for less than 5 months now. I literally was a hardcore researcher during my switch so I soaked up so much information. @poncesmom actually had to create more questions to test me because I exhausted her list. (LOL-sorry) You may feel inexperienced now, but you will learn as you go so don't worry~ I too, don't know anyone IRL that has ferrets- Oh wait, no I technically do since I met the people from Unwanted Fuzz where I adopted Beavis from. I also believe that proper ferret care and nutrition should be taught when ever questions pop up. Someone asked me a simple thing like "is that milk?" and I sit here typing on my phone how milk is bad for ferrets and answering at the end, no its not milk and actually is egg- *also mentions how the whole egg is safe* Another amazing thing about HFF is, you can come here just to rant when ever you feel like it. People are so kind and always willing to sit there and listen if its needed. I practically live here online now. Haha! ----- Update: Loki isn't ready to move to bigger pieces yet, he just licks the soup off them and eats the smaller pieces. Spinner seems more keen on eating the bigger pieces than any of the 3, but she'll take a big chunk (from Courage's plate), drag it to the corner, lick the soup off, gnaw on it a bit, eat a few bites off it, then stash it and be done. She's eating off big chunks so does that mean she'd be ready to eat soup with bigger pieces and she was just too full to eat more?It's fine for Loki to stay on the soupie with small pieces for now. Some progress faster than other ferrets, while some ferrets progress at a normal rate and some progress at a slower rate. It really depends on the ferret and at this stage its going along quite nicely. Spinner is more open to the larger pieces, that is a great sign! You can always give it a go and see how she does with a larger size. If she handles it well, then go a head and give her bigger pieces. I also think they like rabbit more than chicken (though I know rabbit is high protein low fat and therefore not the best, we try to stick with the fattiest cuts of rabbit for ferrets). They eat less rabbit (more dense meat I think mom said?) but they seem more enthusiastic to eat it if that makes sense, it maybe just because that's what I made their first soup with. They eat the chicken just fine though, just seem to like rabbit more.Every ferret has their own likes and dislikes, kind of like us humans. ^^ My guys love Turkey and Duck more than Chicken. Rabbit isn't the best for a couple of reasons, but in a balanced menu, it is fine. Rabbit is one of those meats, like lamb, that is rarely known to cause a sensitivity in ferrets. It's a great source for edible bones as well. It's unfortunately deficient in both fat and taurine though. Ferrets, as you may already be aware, actually get all their energy from fatty meats. Chicken thigh is a very fatty meat, thats why its a good soupie starter. Taurine is also essential for ferrets. In fact it is a very important nutrient. Ferrets receive their taurine in largest concentrations from hearts, brains, and dark muscle meats like thighs. A diet lacking in taurine has also been known to lead to blindness. Taurine is known for keeping their eyes nice and healthy. There's an article on Taurine if you would like to give it a read. You will be tested on it eventually as well. holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/15089/information-taurineWhen I brought food in this evening Mycroft saw everyone else eating off the plate and actually walked up, sniffed it, licked his nose (not the food) but then walked away. So close haha, it's still a battle with him, pick him up, hold a finger (or fork) with soup and he turns his head away until he gives up and licks it all off, we repeat this maybe 5 times every meal. Gosh the face he makes when he's being stubborn and trying not to let the soup touch his lips, he raises his top lips and kind of scowls and it almost reminds me of that "phteven dog" meme on the internet. But once again, as soon as he gives up, he licks everything off my finger/fork so that makes the battle worth it.
Mycroft was very curious. Thats cute! He may need little encouraging to keep trying the soupie. He'll come around (they always do hehehe) It's fantastic that you're being persistent with him. Thats the key to persuading them to try the strange new food. Since ferrets imprint on their food at a young age, its totally understandable that they don't recognise raw meats as edible food. Do you give him lots of verbal encouragement? Its kind of funny for anyone overhearing, but giving ferrets lots of "good girl, good boy, yummy yummy meat~" sort of things, helps a lot. I find that I still do it now, even though mine are fully on raw. He he. All-in-all, everyone is at the same place as before except maybe Spinner. Will post questionnaire and weights and such tomorrow.And I read both your profiles and if you guys have any questions about me feel free to ask! Yes I do have a facebook, but really don't use it.Hope you both have a lovely night/evening/day, cheers. Everyone needs a nice big hug! They're doing fantastic, even with little Mycroft who needs that little encouragement to begin with. It's fantastic that Spinner is more eager to try the larger chunks as well. I have to go run off and get my guys some dinner. (Tonight is duck night~ Yay!) I hope you too have a lovely night/ evening or day!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 15:56:18 GMT -5
Gosh I don't measure the food by weight, just by how much will fit in an ice cube tray I can change that though! 1. Cheshire 2. 1 lb .4oz (previously 1 lb .9oz) 3. 1/3 of an ice cube (about half of which is meat, maybe the size of my pinkie nail, half is soupie) 4. Was a bit loose when I switched from rabbit to chicken but more normal with more eggshell 5. Normal, maybe a bit on the low side compared to last week when I'm not interacting with her, but that maybe because the new room they eat in isn't "new" anymore. 6. Soupie (chicken except the liver, that's rabbit) and meat twice a day as supervised meals, with a unsupervised soup in their bowl throughout the day. 1. Spinner 2. 1 lb 8 oz (1 lb 6.2 oz) 3. about 1/2 of an ice cube a meal, she likes eating meat more than the soup, she is now eating chunks as big as Courage 4. Same as Cheshire 5. Normal, always getting into trouble haha, but she seems to have more energy during cage time and throws fits to be let out 6. Same as Cheshire 1. Loki 2. 2 lbs 6 oz (1lb 15.8 oz) 3. about 1.5 ice cubes, 1/2 meat 1/2 soup, same size meat as Cheshire 4. Didn't need the extra eggshell powder so he's eating from a different batch of soup so he doesn't get dry poos 5. more active than before in the mornings, normal in the evenings 6. Same as Cheshire 1. Mycroft 2. 2 lbs 5.9 oz (2lbs 5.8 oz) 3. Four or five spoonfuls of just soupie a meal, kibble at night and mid-day (maybe three hours during the day) 4. kibble potties are normal for kibble, but was a bit looser when he ate soupie so he got more eggshell powder in it 5. Normal 6. Chicken soupie and kibble (always waiting 2-3 hours before kibble) 1. Courage 2. 2 lbs 14.6 oz (2 lbs 12.3 oz) wow almost 3 pounds 3. 1.5 cubes worth a day, large pieces of meat just coated in a thin layer of soupie 4. same as Cheshire 5. way more active than before 6. Same as Cheshire Hope this is sufficient, if not I can alter it any way necessary!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 16:24:55 GMT -5
Do you give him lots of verbal encouragement?Yes haha, so much, I feed them in the bathroom (small room so they focus and I can keep on eye on who's eating what) and people walking past are always like "...Why is she baby talking in the bathroom...?" If she handles it well, then go a head and give her bigger pieces. today I made her soupie like Courage and she took chunks and shook her head (like she was trying to "kill" it) and ate it no problem. Yay! Speaking of egg, my ferrets never really showed interest in them before but now that we're going through the "okay here try this" phase could I offer them one as a snack? Also, is it normal for them to be drinking less water? It is a bit concerning, instead of refilling water every day it's maybe every two days that it gets emptied, sometimes a bit longer While I was filling out the questionnaire I was reflecting on this last week and I realized how much of a bonding experience this has been. While I play with them 1 on 1 every day, this has been even more. Like for human kids it'd be the difference between everyone eating in their rooms when they were hungry, and sitting down as a family for dinner. I haven't had Courage for long and this has been so perfect for extra special bonding with him. I really enjoy building up their trust seeing it pay off in a physical form (healthier fluffier coats and happy ferrets) and I just love it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 18:51:50 GMT -5
Machan has done great answering your questions. You two remind me of each other and that's a big compliment. Speaking of egg, my ferrets never really showed interest in them before but now that we're going through the "okay here try this" phase could I offer them one as a snack?
Eggs are wonderful for them. They are high in the Omega Fatty acids and will also help with excess fur from grooming. Cats get hairballs but ferrets get bezoars (hint, possible test question). Bezoars are tightly packed collections of partially digested or undigested material stuck in the stomach or other parts of the digestive tract or in other words, that is a mass of excess fur that goes undigested. Eggs will help them pass these through their system. What's the difference you ask? Well for one thing calling a bezoar a hairball is one of Bitbyter's pet peeves. Bezoar is a synonym of hairball. As nouns the difference between bezoar and hairball is that bezoar is a mass, usually of hair or undigested vegetable matter, found in an animal's intestines; while hairball is a small wad of fur or mass of hair formed in the digestive system of a cat or other animal, from hair ingested while grooming. They don't seem very different but to be accurate we refer to a hairball when discussing a cat and a bezoar when discussing a ferret. Mine are not crazy about beef. They do like eggs though so when I give them their beef meal, I whip up an egg with a touch of warm water and a drop of oil and pour that over the top. Since I have five of them, once or twice a week, I'll put out a dish of egg for them to have as a snack or treat. A small lesson for today: :face: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/15109/oil-supplements-little-informationAlso, is it normal for them to be drinking less water? It is a bit concerning, instead of refilling water every day it's maybe every two days that it gets emptied, sometimes a bit longer
It is perfectly normal for them to drink less on raw food. Kibble fed ferrets tend to be slightly dehyrated. They are receiving more moisture on raw food and you may find they drink less and pee more. They're getting properly hydrated now. While I was filling out the questionnaire I was reflecting on this last week and I realized how much of a bonding experience this has been. While I play with them 1 on 1 every day, this has been even more. Like for human kids it'd be the difference between everyone eating in their rooms when they were hungry, and sitting down as a family for dinner.
You're exactly right about this. It's my favorite part of the whole process. I just love having them at my feet while I prepare food and giving them little bits as I get everything ready. They in turn reward me with snuggles and kisses. Now if only we could actually have a dinner table conversation. I bet they would have so much to say. I love that you are noticing who needs more bone and who needs a little less. That's terrific for soon in the switch. Very nice ferrenting Avy! I've said this before but again Courage is so aptly named. Killing her food is so cute. Have you noticed them eating soup and tilting their heads from one side to another? Mine do that and I just melt. We're in farm country also. There are more cows than people where I live. I don't know anyone with ferrets either and am so happy to have this community to talk ferret with. You're doing such a good job with understanding this and posting regularly. I'm off to play with mine for a bit and I'll check back in tomorrow. :wave3:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 19:20:19 GMT -5
Gosh I don't measure the food by weight, just by how much will fit in an ice cube tray I can change that though!
I started at first without weighing the portions as well. Weighing the portions is actually a really important thing. Especially since we want it to be balanced and avoid overdosages with things like liver (vitamin A) ^^ I see a slight weight difference with all of them. Thats normal since they're more than likely losing kibble fat and firming up quite nicely. ;u; The loose poops usually do happen when trying new proteins or sudden changes in diet. If the loose poops happen for a long period of time, they could be due to a sensitivity in a protein. My boy Yuki was kind of the same as Spinner at the beginning of the switch process. Some ferrets have different energy levels, so some require more play or some way to burn off all the energy. When it comes to the ferret tantrums (yuki gave me lots of those hehehe) it always helps to cover the cage. I like to have a sheet over my cage so it gives them some darkness, then they calm down after a while. Mycroft is doing very well considering still being on kibble. The loose poops are to be expected since his body needs to adjust to the new food. I also want to say, WOW! Mycroft and Courage are huge!!! (in a positive way of course!) Lots to cuddle! Hope this is sufficient, if not I can alter it any way necessary!
No no, Its very good! It's great to hear that they're all doing well. Energy levels, weights and the amounts they're eating is all fantastic. Yes haha, so much, I feed them in the bathroom (small room so they focus and I can keep on eye on who's eating what) and people walking past are always like "...Why is she baby talking in the bathroom...?"
Thats a very smart idea by feeding them in a small room! I've had a similar reaction to when I baby talked my guys too. I actually became so excited when I first got my little girl eating bone that I called my dad just to tell him the good news and he was like "you just woke me up for that?" today I made her soupie like Courage and she took chunks and shook her head (like she was trying to "kill" it) and ate it no problem. Yay!I saw the same thing happen with my boy when I gave him an adult mouse. He took it around his cage like he was giving it a personal tour then would stop from time to time just to violently shake it. (strangely adorable) It's a very interesting behaviour and apparently its an instinctual thing that they would due in order to try to break the prey's neck or spine. Speaking of egg, my ferrets never really showed interest in them before but now that we're going through the "okay here try this" phase could I offer them one as a snack?An egg is a very nutritional meal and I give my guys one each per week. Go on and give it a try. I'm sure they will love it. Most ferrets do like it straight away. Egg can be fed either as just the yolk or as a whole, just never feed the whites by itself. Also, is it normal for them to be drinking less water? It is a bit concerning, instead of refilling water every day it's maybe every two days that it gets emptied, sometimes a bit longerFerret's get all their water needs from the raw meaty diet. In this case, they're getting it from their soupie at this stage so it is quite normal for them to start to drink much less. The reason why ferrets require more water on kibble, is because the kibble is dry and can easily dehydrate them. I rarely see my guys use their drinking bottle. Its always usually a sip after a long play session, or they simply stick their head in their water bowl I leave out. (Ferret snorkelling is fun!) While I was filling out the questionnaire I was reflecting on this last week and I realized how much of a bonding experience this has been. While I play with them 1 on 1 every day, this has been even more. Like for human kids it'd be the difference between everyone eating in their rooms when they were hungry, and sitting down as a family for dinner. I haven't had Courage for long and this has been so perfect for extra special bonding with him. I really enjoy building up their trust seeing it pay off in a physical form (healthier fluffier coats and happy ferrets) and I just love it.
It is a great bonding experience. It really does give you a whole new side to your ferrets. Prepping meals also turns out to be so much fun, especially when you have the ferrets waiting with anticipation for their fresh meal. You would never get that with kibble. ;u; You probably also noticed how much more lively they become during playtime. Isn't that just amazing? ;u; Just talking about this makes me want to go give my guys a cuddle. Actually I might do that right now~
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 1:09:31 GMT -5
Lots of happiness for one post! Egg- big hit with the business, everybody enjoyed it (just gave one to the five of them, didn’t wanna waste in case they didn’t like). Do you think Bantam eggs would be a good portion for each of them? Mycroft is now eating without a fight (but only when he’s sitting in my lap) and this evening I even got him to eat soupie from his bowl (also in my lap) (dance) so happy! Now instead of mid day kibble he gets a hand fed soupie meal (so he has 3 meals) and only kibble at night. I think the whole “sleeping in a different cage than everyone” is helping convince him to eat what mommy gives him GRAPE TAIL! Gahhh I picked up Courage and was rubbing his fur on my face (lol I just can’t get enough of it, between the combination of coming winter coats and new raw softness) and decided to sniff his tail again and OhmyGallifrey it smells exactly like artificial grape flavoured powder! I then began scampering about the house shoving a ferret butt in everyone’s face haha, everyone agreed on the grape except my mother. So far it’s only Courage, but I’ve never been this excited to sniff an animals tail before @poncesmom- I actually love getting lessons from y’all! It shows me exactly what I need to learn, I actually adore researching things to death (and I think it was one of you who said the same) and this is actually useful stuff that I can apply to my real life (unlike memorizing the name of every Doctor Who episode since ‘05). Please feel more than welcome to dump links on me, I like something to read at night anyways and I’m running low on scary stories Also bezoars are scary stuff, I knew someone in school who had to have surgery to get one removed from her stomach because she ate cotton balls. Not a fun time. Very nice ferrenting Avy!Thank you guys so much, you make me feel so good about all this! Weighing the portions is actually a really important thing.Gotchya will do from here on out! I also want to say, WOW! Mycroft and Courage are huge!!!Gosh I know, I pick up Courage and he’s just so fat and fluffy and adorable. The other boys look so good too but not as chubby (Ferret snorkelling is fun!)I wish some of mine did that haha, Spinner just likes to dig in her water when shes mad. During the summer I like to let my guys play in a bathtub with a bit of water to cool off, no one seems too keen except Loki (I have I vid of him on youtube being sprayed with the shower head and hes just sitting there moving his head back and forth enjoying it). Now that his coat is more even and lovely, I'm thinking maybe Courage might be a light chocolate and not a cinnamon (might also be the season) but I've only had him for a bit over a month so we'll see! And y’all said pics biweekly? So post them tomorrow? And a little about me (sorry I didn’t do this in the beginning, too caught up on ferrets!) I’m almost 19, live on a farm and rabbitry in WA state, Edelweiss Ranch. My ferrets are my only personal pets, but my family also has two small dogs, a fe barn cats, horses, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, and tons of rabbits (mom and I are ARABA breeders and also show, I specialize in white rex rabbits). I’m working on finding an apprenticeship to be a tattoo artist (love to draw and paint), and I love to write short stories and poems. I’ve played violin for over half my life, and I’m self taught at piano, mandolin, cello, viola, and the banjo! I’m obsessed with the BBC show Doctor Who (haha even have a few DW tattoos). And in general I’m kind of shy and awkward, but that about sums me up!
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