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Post by Sherry on May 1, 2011 15:41:30 GMT -5
Ferrets have a higher calcium need than other carnivores, simply because their metabolism is so fast. To get them eating the bone, try giving them just some chicken chunks, the size they'd normally get their pieces in. Then we'll work up from there, so they start chowing down on wings
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 13:58:15 GMT -5
Its taking them a while to eat the chicken. I dont think they like it very much. But they are slowly eating it.
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Post by Sherry on May 2, 2011 17:31:32 GMT -5
They'll get used to it. Give it to them for a couple of days, then try them with some segmented wings. Cut the wings at all the joints, cut between the bones in the middle section, and if you can, cut along the length of the drumstick to expose the marrow for them. That way, the pieces shouldn't be large enough to be overwhelming Let me know how they do with it!!! We'll get them eating bone yet ;D
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 21:05:26 GMT -5
They really dont like the chicken wings. So far they are refusing to eat them. But they will usually go back and eat it once they realize they are not getting anything else.
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Post by Sherry on May 3, 2011 22:39:46 GMT -5
They are trying to outstubborn you ;D If they are eventually eating it, then you are well on your way! Just keep an eye and make sure everyone is eating from it. You do realize for ferrets who aren't used to eating intact bones, they are doing really very well Keep giving the wings for two or three days, til they are accustomed to them. Then try them with either pork straight, or turkey, whichever is easier for you. What we are working toward is them eating large chunks, and/or whole wings. Makes life so much simpler for you As for the liver and kidney, you can give a little daily, or a couple times a week, or even just one weekly meal if you prefer. Some people do liver one week, and kidney the next.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 14:52:25 GMT -5
So they are still not wanting to eat the chicken wings but I got them/one of them to eat a mouse! I dont know for sure who ate it but I think it was probably Risa. I saw her eat its tail yesterday and she knew it was food while Rikku had no interest in it. I will leave the chicken in there and hopefully they will eat it. If they go back and eat a mouse im sure they will eat chicken wings.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 17:49:51 GMT -5
Rikku finally ate some chicken.
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Post by Sherry on May 4, 2011 18:09:52 GMT -5
Excellent on BOTH counts !!! Just keep going the way you are for a couple of days, then up the sizes again. With the mice, if only Risa is eating them, you can try some chopped up pinkies with Rikku mixed in with the meat, and slowly up it til he's eating whole pinkies, then fuzzies, then hoppers, then adults. Most seem to have a problem with the fur. I had to cut the mice open in the belly, and squirt in some oil(actually, I filled them to overflowing ;D ) With the wings, right now, they need to work up the jaw strength, and you will likely have to let them get a bit hungry first. Hunger can make for a great motivator Just take out any food several hours in advance, and offer the segmented, chopped wing. It might take a couple of feedings before they are willing to try it. You could also slash it really deeply, and put some oil on it. Once they start licking it, they should(hopefully!) realize they know what it is.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 18:34:36 GMT -5
With the pinkies do I need to get extra small to start out with or do you think it would be ok to get large? Because the large and extra small are the same price and I would like to get more food for the same price if I can.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2011 18:45:25 GMT -5
Is ther anywhere else cheaper I can get pinkies? The shipping cost for rodent pro would be $40 and I cant afford that.
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Post by Sherry on May 4, 2011 20:51:25 GMT -5
Yes, the larger pinkies should be fine As for cost- I'm in Canada, so can't help you there! Only thing I can suggest is to find a local reptile/snake rescue, and ask them where they order theirs from.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2011 12:41:16 GMT -5
They finished the chicken so I gave them more. Right away Rikku ate one peice but stripped the meat off another but it was the biggest part of the bone in a chicken wing. Still havent been able to find pinkies cheap enough. Is it possible that Rikku will see Risa eating adult mice and then eat them himself?
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2011 11:53:13 GMT -5
They finished the chicken and I also gave them some ground beef, kidney and liver and they ate that too.
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Post by Sherry on May 6, 2011 23:44:03 GMT -5
That's fantastic!!! Ok, they realize chicken by itself is food Major step in getting them on the bone! Now, take a wing, segment it for them if you need to, and slash the drumette meat. Offer them this for a couple of days by itself. If they've not eaten any from one meal, take the old one out, and offer them a new one done the same way. Let me know how they do
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2011 11:20:18 GMT -5
They have been eating the chicken wings. Some of the bones are over an inch long too.
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