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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 11:50:56 GMT -5
The time difference can be so weird sometimes. I have friends in the U.S and Canada and we managed to sync skyping times. One of us would have to be up until 12AM-3AM and the other around mid day haha! I love it when ferrets snorkel! It's so much fun. Two of my boys love snorkelling. My female doesn't care much for it but my other two shove their heads right in. It's funny, they don't like bathes, yet jump in the bath when its empty and get excited for a bowl of water! I agree with @poncesmom, introducing new proteins sounds like a good way to go. Great jobs~ Triss and Ciri are doing so great (dance)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2016 9:31:50 GMT -5
They are indeed water babies! But they aren't outside babies, they shake and run back into the house. I have had a very successful couple of days. I know I haven't posted for two days which I apologise for! Been stupidly busy. Week two - Day Three AMWe woke up to some chicken left over and the soupie all gone, like every morning. We did the same routine, let them exercise and play, work up an appetite and then put the thicker soupie that we had prepared with lumps in for their breakfast. Triss did start to worry me here as she didn't want to eat anything. She'd get excited, sniff and then walk away. However, all uneasiness was put aside when I come back into the room to see her chewing some chicken with her head straight in the bowl. Maybe she just wasn't hungry at the time. Ciri is progressing well also. She inhales the soup as soon as it is put down! Haha. However, we did see her in her stash, chewing chicken chunks and ripping some meat off the bone! With that, I left for work knowing my other half was at home to supervise. Day Three PM
I was greeted by some amazingly excited and bouncy little fuzzies and got showered with kisses and was groomed. Seems I wasn't clean to a ferrets standard haha. Not all the wing had gone, they was the tip and the some of the muscle left. I made some soupie and left it for later whilst giving them some breast chunks and a fresh wing for them to tear into and eat. They stashed and did what they normally do and then when I left them too it, sat on the sofa, I hear a crunching sound. I look up to see Triss, CHEWING the wing, bones and all! I was gobsmacked but I was so happy! I went next to the cage and told her how proud I was of her and she carried on. Week two Day Four - AM Soup has been cleared from the night before and less of the chicken was left over. Triss and Ciri were both cewing on chunks and were eating them whole as well as eating the soup! Again, I just give gentle encouragement and I have never seen them so energetic and sleeping so soundly at the same time! Nothing really changed in the AM, just their normal routine. Day Four - PMBy the time dinner time came, again it was Fresh chicken and a fresh wing as well as some soup for later. I cut up the wing into three sections and left a lot of loose bits for them to gnaw and rip as well as some chunks that they could chew there and then. They went crazy and started to eat it all up, ripping off the skin of the wing and chewing it. Triss does like me to hold the chicken at time so she can get a good angle for the best chew! Ciri however just wants to challenge me for it and tries to pull it out of my hands! Week Two Day Five - AMAfter the successes we have been having, I haven't given them any soupie for breakfast and left the wing and the chicken on the bone that was stashed, hoping to see if they would go to this and finish it off. Sure enough, after their mad morning run, running off with my hairbrush, rolling around on my bed and finding they can fit in my drawers, they went in the cage and starting munching on the chicken. I still encourages and held a bit and ripped pieces so they could get at it easy and they loved it! Triss was chewing at the chicken wing and Ciri was pulling pieces off! After leaving them to their own devices and cleaning the whole cage to get rid of any residue and swapping bedding sheets etc, I saw Ciri take the bone, rune down to her fluffy tunnel and she tried to chew it. There hasn't been much damage done to the bone but seeing that she was licking it and holding it in her paws made me squee with joy! ..... And that's it! Phew, so much writing! But I am a very happy ferret momma! My girls have got so much more energy it seems now too! Bouncing all over the place like they have springs on their feet! They are chuntering and dooking a lot more now too which makes me happy! (dance) Just a quick question now in regards to their food. Does it matter if they stuck to raw chicken? So chicken hearts, liver, muscle meat etc or do they NEED the switch of proteins? So will they need to have a pork heart, liver, lamb heart etc? I don't mind either way, just want my babies to be happy and healthy! Could anyone help with like a meal plan of what meats they use and how they switch them up if so?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2016 10:47:56 GMT -5
Wow, that's wonderful progress. It is time to begin working on new proteins. I'll link the Frankenprey diet and you can look over it and then ask questions about it. The Frankenprey diet is designed to mimic eating whole prey in the wild. You do not want only chicken, you'll want at least a minimum of three different animal proteins. Organs will be part of the menu and Heart which is a muscle meat will also play an important part. Bones will be the bones from a small animal like chicken wings, quail, cornish game hens, duck, turkey,rabbit. They won't be able to handle the bigger bones but gizzards are great for building up jaw strength. I buy duck gizzards and hearts so that I get pricey duck for much less and they get the benefits of nice fatty duck. Here is the Frankenprey menu: docs.google.com/document/d/1ysfT1bIvXixXYv6QFjW_EZZqHymtRXRTc3E_wAxLbxU/edit
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2016 10:58:28 GMT -5
It's quite natural that each ferret has their own eating time. I used the same routine, playtime then they get to eat. It works well, nothing beats a good playtime, then a good meal and a long nap. Ferret life is the best.(dance) They both sound like they're progressing quite well with the bone in meat. The sound of crunching bone for the first time is such a huge achievement and the fact that they are progressing very well afterwards is fantastic! Good for you! Ferret kisses are the best. Probably not the best after meal time though, but still its the thought that counts! ;u; For now the chicken is completely fine, but as you transition, it is highly recommended that you introduce other proteins. A diet consisting of simply chicken is very unbalanced. The reason why we require at least 3 proteins (the more the better) other than: Chicken, Rabbit, Cornish Game Hen, or Fish, is so that they can get a variety of nutrients. Some proteins contain less vitamins or minerals than others, whereas some contain more etc etc, so having variety can ensure they receive all that they require to stay healthy. Chicken is a very common allergen in ferrets, so another reason as to why having variety is a good idea. Especially if in the future, if your ferret was to become intolerant to chicken, then you have other proteins available. Pork and Lamb are great proteins. Beef is also another fantastic protein. If you can get at least 1 (or more) red meats into the diet, that would be fantastic. Beef is really recommended as its a perfect source of iron and vitamin B.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 6:46:50 GMT -5
Thank you both for your advice! I'll be able to give a big update later as I am at work at the moment so can't go into much detail!
However, I am a tad worried. I did the weigh in for my ferrets last night. Triss has gained 3 grams which I'm fine with. At least she hasn't lost but Ciri lost another 16 grams! She's lost 30 grams in two weeks and it's really bothering me!
She's still bouncy and happy and full of energy but I can see that she's thin. Any advice here? :/
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2016 7:38:58 GMT -5
Spring is coming and ferrets lose weight in the Winter. Ciri may already be shedding her Winter coat and getting ready for Spring.
I would weigh her daily now and if she continues to lose weight then a vet visit may be in order.
Right now I don't think you have to worry. She's bouncy and full of energy so she is most likely either getting ready for Spring early or she is losing the kibble fat and getting lean like she should be. Kibble fed ferrets have more of a pear shape and once on raw will become lean and muscular.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 3:37:17 GMT -5
Morning Everyone! Thought i'd update you all The girls are still doing well. Ciri has put on 10grams in a few days after weighing her everyday so thank you for the advice! I'm a worrier! haha. Girls are still doing really well with their meats. I did by some beef chunks yesterday to see what they made of that and it does look like i'm going to have to do the whole process with each individual meat. They didn't take to it at all! My question with this is, can I mix chicken hearts and liver and the beef chunks to make the soup or is it best doing everything beef, everything lamb etc? Also, with my babies now eating the soup fine and the chicken, should i try them with the liver and heart on its own? It's taken me about 15 minutes to write this as Ciri likes to surf the internet whenever I am on, they keyboard is her playground haha .
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 3:40:08 GMT -5
Morning Everyone! Thought i'd update you all The girls are still doing well. Ciri has put on 10grams in a few days after weighing her everyday so thank you for the advice! I'm a worrier! haha. Girls are still doing really well with their meats. I did by some beef chunks yesterday to see what they made of that and it does look like i'm going to have to do the whole process with each individual meat. They didn't take to it at all! My question with this is, can I mix chicken hearts and liver and the beef chunks to make the soup or is it best doing everything beef, everything lamb etc? Also, with my babies now eating the soup fine and the chicken, should i try them with the liver and heart on its own? It's taken me about 15 minutes to write this as Ciri likes to surf the internet whenever I am on, they keyboard is her playground haha .
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2016 10:54:34 GMT -5
Good for Ciri. Don't worry but then again we all worry, it's part of being a Ferrent. You will worry less with time as they move along and as you learn more. Beef is a strong flavor. Mine aren't crazy about it so I usually offer an egg over the top of beef meals. Beef is a red meat and you want a red meat for the Iron and Vitamin B. They may prefer lamb which is a milder flavor but a red meat. It is best to stick with one protein source at a time. That way if there is a problem then you know exactly what meat is causing this. The girls certainly can try some liver and heart. I would do hearts first because everyone seems to like hearts. Then try a liver meal. We'd love to hear from Ciri. Mine like to walk across the keyboard also and somehow Mika can turn itunes and I get an Elvis song when she does. I think she is partial to Elvis just like me.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2016 7:58:01 GMT -5
Sorry I have not updated in a while! Things have been manic at home but there is always time for my little ones. I'd take them work if I could! However, I have some amazing news I'd like to share, Both Triss and Ciri had whole hearts for the first time a few days ago and they didn't stash it, they just ate it straight away and started doing that cute little licking their mouth thing :') Last night, they had liver and heart too and the same thing, they loved it! I'm feeling so proud of my furbabies at the moment! I also notice that their fur is softer and getting more fluffy?! Is that due to the food or the time of year? At the moment, my girls are still looking for the soup and they are still expecting this in the morning. Do you think I'd be ok taking this away and just giving them a wing in the morning and then a different meat at night? I get paid next Monday so that is when I'll be ordering lamb hearts and liver and pork hearts and liver so I can get them onto two other different proteins. I'm assuming i would do the exact same process again? Soup for the lamb and soup for the pork? Only thing I am struggling with is how to plan their meals. So for now I was thinking: AM - Chicken breast chunks PM - Organ (Heart) AM: - Bone in Chicken PM - Liver Does that sound about right? How to I ensure they have something to eat when I am transitioning them to lamb and pork? Could they have lamb soup in the morning and then chicken meat at night? Also, little fun tale of my little ones. They have discovered the plugs in the bathroom. The now like to grab them and attempt to run off with them. In my en suite shower upstairs (Which I have to turn on every time we are upstairs as they stand and wait) I have a temporary plug that is not attached to anything. So they like to have some snorkeling fun and blow bubbles with their nose and once they find the plug, out it comes and I have little wet paw prints through my bedroom leading to their plug stash! haha. Me and Triss seem to have bonded a lot more. This week she has sat in my lap or by me and just curled herself and groomed me (or her) and let me give her a good massage. I must have been there for 10 minutes yesterday giving her neck and behind her ears a rub. I started to get cramp but hadn't the heart to move!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2016 7:48:35 GMT -5
Unsure if anyone read my last post...
Not updated in a while due to not much changing. Ciri has lost 30grams since the switch whereas Triss has only lost 15grams.
They have been weaned off the soup now and are having chicken meat and bone and organs in seperate meals.
On Thursday, a delivery of pork and lamb is coming so am i right to think that I do the soup process all over again?
Also, now they are transitioned with chicken, do I give them pork soup in the morning and chicken meat at night? Lamb soup next morning and meat at night?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2016 8:17:02 GMT -5
Good Morning @tabbyjane90 You're making excellent progress. Both Triss and Ciri had whole hearts for the first time a few days ago and they didn't stash it, they just ate it straight away and started doing that cute little licking their mouth thing :')
That's wonderful progress. They took a big step forward. Last night, they had liver and heart too and the same thing, they loved it! I'm feeling so proud of my furbabies at the moment! I also notice that their fur is softer and getting more fluffy?! Is that due to the food or the time of year?
The change is due to the new food. That's one of the first changes that you will see. Spring time brings their lighter spring coats and they get less fluffy as they lose their winter coats so you can happily be reassured that this new diet is making a difference. At the moment, my girls are still looking for the soup and they are still expecting this in the morning. Do you think I'd be ok taking this away and just giving them a wing in the morning and then a different meat at night?
Keep the soupie but begin adding less soupie and more slivers to their meal. Add two wingtips to the soupie also and see how that goes over. You certainly can try wingtips but I also would recommend leaving them with them at night so they have time to work on them and get use to them. I get paid next Monday so that is when I'll be ordering lamb hearts and liver and pork hearts and liver so I can get them onto two other different proteins. I'm assuming i would do the exact same process again? Soup for the lamb and soup for the pork?
It will help to keep the proteins in a soupie form for each new protein and try to keep the same proteins together so you know how they react to each new protein. If you mix proteins and someone has an allergy or intolerance then it's easier to know which protein caused it. Only thing I am struggling with is how to plan their meals. So for now I was thinking:
AM - Chicken breast chunks PM - Organ (Heart)
AM: - Bone in Chicken PM - Liver
You want your menu balanced and you don't want it to be too chicken heavy. Also Chicken breast is leaner than chicken thigh and more expensive. Go for chicken thigh meat. You're going to want 7-9 meals of Bone In meats. Since Triss and Ciri are still young at seven months, then I'd go for 8 meals of Bone in and watch their poops to see that the poops are not too firm or too loose then adjust the Bone In meals to suit the poops. You want 3-4 meals of Muscle meat. Heart is a muscle meat. Organ meals will be: 1 meal of Liver plus another secreting Organ like kidney, pancreas, brains, thymus, spleen, or even lungs. 1 meal will be Liver plus another Organ plus a half meal of Heart (a muscle meat) I'm linking the basic Frankenprey menu for you to look at: holisticferretforum.com/natural-diet/raw-diet-the-meat-of-the-site/basic-frankenprey-menu/How to I ensure they have something to eat when I am transitioning them to lamb and pork? Could they have lamb soup in the morning and then chicken meat at night?
Each new protein source will be strange to them. It often works best to do a few of the new food meals for a couple of days or more so they get familiar with it and it's smell. This means working with them again and sitting with them so they feel safe and reassured and you can watch how they eat. That's so cute that they have discovered the plugs in the tub. I bought a few inexpensive bath rugs and towels just for mine and drape them over the tub. They use the rugs to climb up into the tub and then tunnel under the towels and play alot in there. Climbing into the tub will help build their shoulder muscles also. You've also discovered their are bonding with you. A big part of that is the time and effort you spend working with them while they are learning to eat this new food. That's wonderful. You're in a weird time of year now. They are still young and will be eating a good amount while they make up for lost nutrients. However Spring is coming (at least in my part of the world) and so in the Spring they lose weight normally and eat less. It's a bit hard to tell how yours will react but they aren't babies anymore so I would expect some Spring time weight loss. Plus they lose kibble fat and become more lean from the Natural Diet. You're doing a lovely job. Keep your thread bumped up top and we will be able to see it easier. I'm sorry I missed your 23 Feb post but will keep a better eye out. Give them both a big hug and tell them they are doing well. You're doing great. Lovely job Ferrenting. (dance)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2016 8:11:16 GMT -5
Thank you very much for your indepth reply! Means a lot, it really does. Yes it is becoming spring here although we had a massive snowfall earlier . Officially it's spring at the end of March. They have now actually come off the soup and are eating meals whole. Their stool is still very loose though. Not like it was on kibble. Kind of goey? I've left them a wing in there cage this morning so hoping for some bone to be munched when i get in. I have my supply of pork and lamb chunks, the hearts and liver are being delivered tomorrow so i think I'll start them on lamb first and then go from there Thank you! Ive got to the point where I have a ferret shelf in my freezer where I have containers of meals ready to take out! haha. The bonding feels lovely, really heart warming! Got home from work yesterday and they were both jumping on me and rubbing themselves over me waiting for a cuddle! Think they missed me I'll be able to have a read over that frankenprey diet tonight when I am home but thank you for the link! I thought you might want to see my little fuzzies in action. I can't upload any photos but here is a link to my instagram account: www.instagram.com/tabby_jane/You can view the videos and photos of my babies on there! I put a video up this morning of my two having fun on the stairs. They love to come up and join me getting ready in a morning so to make it safer (and more fun) to go down the stairs, me and my other half last night fixed the tube to the stairs so they run down a few and then dive straight in and slide the rest of the way. They love it :') hahaha.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2016 8:28:04 GMT -5
They are just beautiful.
That's so sweet to get greeted with such joy. They love their Mommy.
The stair tube is adorable and they sound like they have alot of fun with it.
If their stools are loose then they need a little more bone. That will come in time but you can supplement with bonemeal powder. Mix it into the chunks until it disappears. You want a human grade bonemeal powder with no added sweeteners or other ingredient. NOW brand is good and so is KAL which I've seem some people say can be bought in Walmart.
Organs and Heart always make for looser poops.
You're doing great and so are the Triss and Ciri. :wave3:
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2016 7:31:20 GMT -5
I have looked into getting the bonemeal powder. Thank you! At the moment, we have been using powdered egg shell but the bone meal powder might be the better option!
So last night, I had the delivery of lamb and pig and I went forward with doing the a lamp soup for my fuzzies. They were all excited to see the bowl but they stuck their heads in and turned up their nose!
(I have never known a creature to have such a stubborn nature as ferrets ha)
So, started the process again, towel on my lap, ferret in one hand and spoon in the other and dabbed the nose to get them to eat it. Nothing. Wriggled like mad out of my arms.
Tried again later on and eventually, I managed to get them to have a spoon each but it wasn't willingly at all. To be fair, this is a lot more difficult it seems than it was with the chicken.
This morning, we did the same process. Spoon on my lap, soup hadn't been touched over night but they did have a bone in piece of chicken that was left in so whether they were nibbling that, I don't know.
Again, they were fighting me this morning. They didn't want to even sniff this soup! It took me 20 minutes to get both of them to have 1 spoon. Ciri seemed to lick it off a bit better this morning, looked like she was starting to want too but Triss was still being as stubborn as ever. She somehow got it onto her leg in her fur so I left it there and hoping if she cleans herself, she'll get a taste of it!
Heres hoping for success when I get home for their tea!
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