|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 14, 2017 8:37:03 GMT -5
Wow, whole prey is a whole different ball of wax. I will have to do some research and figure out what would be a good source for starting out.
Good source: where to by and what to buy.
If they have runny poops should I include some bone meal in the muscle meals or should I change them to bone it? The only reason I would add bone meal instead of doing another bone in is to maintain the variety of proteins.
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Mar 15, 2017 9:06:09 GMT -5
It really shouldn't be necessary. Organ meals and muscle meals are by their nature going to be "looser" poops. Usually, we advise following those meals with a bone-in meal to balance things out. If they are really bad though and causing issues you can add tiny bit of bonemeal to the meal (1/2 tsp). Bone meal can easily cause constipation if too much is added.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 15, 2017 10:10:59 GMT -5
Okay. I will be careful when I use the bone meal, my only concern is the stools are "loose" they are frequently "puddles" after muscle meat, heart, and organ meals. I follow these meals with bone in, the softer the meal (organ) the more bone in the following meal (chicken neck). I noticed this morning that Jezzy stashed a quail leg from yesterday because she was eating it this morning. Good for her eating her bone in!
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 16, 2017 17:24:10 GMT -5
I just places an order with hare today for pinky mice, small rabbits, and small quail. I expect it will be here around the end of next week, so for the next couple of weeks I will just plan the regular frankenprey that they have been eating and treat with a frozen whole prey something to see how they like it. I do not want to pressure them, but I do want to encourage them.
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Mar 16, 2017 22:05:34 GMT -5
The pinky mice would definitely be treats. The rabbits could substitute for a bone in meal depending on how old they are. Same with the quail. Too young though and they shouldn't be counted as a meal.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 17, 2017 12:36:05 GMT -5
I am looking forward to seeing how they react to something that still has the fur on it. I think I will get funny looks, but they will eat it. I will try just gutting it first and if I have to chop it up I will, but I am going to try to keep the pieces as large as they will eat.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 17, 2017 16:27:38 GMT -5
You mentioned I should wait on getting more ferrets. Is there a particular length of time to establish the food change? Not to pushy, but what exactly am I waiting for? I am just curious because if there is anything else I should be doing for my fuzzes I want to do it!
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Mar 19, 2017 10:26:47 GMT -5
Well, they seem like they are pretty established now. How long has it been since they haven't had exposure to any type of kibble? Are any of them still hesitating with the raw? Introducing a new ferret can be pretty stressful (not always) and some may slide backwards on their switch.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 19, 2017 10:45:50 GMT -5
November of last year was the last time any of them had kibble. There has been no hesitation for 1-1/2 ash months. Jezzy was behind a bit when we started into the chunks, but that was a while ago.
The only one I think has the personality to slide back is Tiny, however she is the one most in love with the raw food.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 20, 2017 10:31:32 GMT -5
So, I am weak, I am going to meet two ferrets tonight, and probably bring them home. First thing is to go to the vet to check for ear mites and get a wellness check up, then it is off to the store to make some soupie for these two. They will stay in a separate kennel until I can get everyone comfortably integrated (food and comfort with each other).
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 20, 2017 23:17:40 GMT -5
So, one female and one male. The owner did not know how old they are, he just rescued them from some crack heads. He did not know anything about ferrets, so now they are in my ferret room, in their own kennel with blankets, hammocks, and tunnels. They played this evening for me and got to meet Jack and Jezzy. The meeting went well and they each went their separate ways. I gave them some of my left over kibble, he was giving imes kitten food, he was trying to right by the ferrets he just had no idea.
I will pick up soupie mix tomorrow after work and get them switched over. I think they are still fairly young, but the female is going to take a bit to win over. They were really nervous when I put salmon oil on their tummies so I could trim their toe nails. They figured out I was giving them something tasty, not messing with them.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 21, 2017 8:44:43 GMT -5
My whole prey shipment is due on Friday. I am going to stop by the store today and flush out their menu as I realize I am getting low on chicken and have no game hen.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 21, 2017 8:48:18 GMT -5
My husband named them last night, we have Crash the little girl, and Eddie the little boy. Both are dark sables, Eddie has white paws and a white mark on his chest. Their fur is a bit wiry, but that will be better with proper diet and exercise.
Oh, they now have an appointment to see my vet on Sunday. Crash, the female, has a translucent canine tooth. Other than that they both looked really healthy.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 22, 2017 0:09:57 GMT -5
Weights: Jack: 1162/1395/1282/1287/1320/1315 Bill: 1134/1286/1179/1109/1137/1150 Tiny: 652/765/752/783/800/772 Jezzy: 603/957/796/710/729/744 Crash:778 Eddie: 977 Crash: Eddie: I introduced both of them to soup tonight. Eddie took to it better than Crash. Eddie thinks it is okay, Crash will only eat it off of my finger while being scruffed. They have 2.7 ounces of soup in their kennel tonight. I will feed them one more time before I call it a night.
|
|
|
Post by kattadragon on Mar 22, 2017 13:21:24 GMT -5
Crash and Eddie ate 1.8 ounce of soup last night. I topped off their bowl this morning after play time and gave 4 ounces of chicken heart (diced) mixed with one egg to Bill, Jack, Jezzy, and Tiny.
It took about three tries of my scruffing and rubbing salmon oil on Crash's lips and nose to get her to try it. Then later that night I go to get everyone's weights and she tries to run off with the bottle!!! I have another hoarder!!!
|
|