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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 17:53:17 GMT -5
My ex was a chef while we we're married and he would insist the only proper way to defrost was with frozen food in a metal pan or bowl with the container in warm water. I figure it is the best way since every other method I can think of increases the risk of cooking some of it accidentally. If I increase the water temperature slowly and don't use straight hot water I think I can find a way to make it palatable. LOL The ferrets really don't seem to mind they just check on it until it's to their liking, I worry the kitty will walk away and just follow me and forget it's there.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2017 16:52:08 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2017 16:59:04 GMT -5
Experimenting with sizes of meat pieces this week to determine where in the franken prey process we need to start. Thid is the largest piece we have tried so far. All 3 ate it eagerly. Do you think it's ok to start full franken prey menu as long as we make the pieces this size? Are there any limits to how much gizzards are included? Haven't found a good source of hearts except packaged with a bunch of gizzards. I was hoping to use them in non-bone meals for frugality and jaw strengthening. Also the fur babies seem to really like them. http://instagram.com/p/BXMGSeNgRv3
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2017 17:05:13 GMT -5
I will portion meals out with kitchen scale. This shopping trip we have:
Chicken hearts, gizzards, livers and feet (separately)
A small whole chicken
A small CGH
Ground turkey
Pork belly
eggs (correct me if I'm wrong, 1 per week max on this one)
Is this a better and more appropriate mix? I am hoping to find more tongue for next week since that seems to be their favorite so far.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Aug 2, 2017 11:01:03 GMT -5
Your ground turkey is that similar to ground beef----texture and everything?
Instead--- and more healthy, you can get turkey legs and cut pieces from them. I buy turkey legs for us humans. Sometimes I give my dog a raw turkey leg to help clean his teeth. When I do (usually 2 or 3 to a pack), I make a frankenprey meal for my ferrets.
Yes, it is hard to find hearts other than with gizzards. Look at the pack and see if you see a little brown heart or two. (usually there will be more inside). Sometimes people have bought them and there would be just one heart in the whole pack. I called them once (Tyson) and complained. They gave me a refund. I get my hearts at the farmer's Market as well. We have a lot of farms in our vicinity. Usually the farmers that sell chicken meat will have all other parts of the chicken too.
Asian stores have packaged frozen quail. I am ordering those online now and plucking them myself:)
Pork tenderloin is cheap in my area---I get Nature's Place brand---no salt or solutions.
Great that they luv tongue. U can use it for taurine in place of hearts, but you probably already know that.
Chunks look great to me.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2017 11:57:04 GMT -5
The ground turkey was a bit of an accident. Bought to cook for us but accidentally grabbed a 3 pound pack instead of 1. Figured if they like it I will rotate in actual turkey slivers next week. If there are not enough hearts in the gizzard pack I will hit the asian and Hispanic markets next to my house where I have found tongue but no heart. Still looking.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2017 12:01:05 GMT -5
Hours of re-reading all over holistic ferret to make franken prey guidlines board and track fur babies weight weekly when we prep. I don't have a way to primt it and I understand and remember things I actually take the time to write myself. http://instagram.com/p/BXRpfzyA2-l
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2017 12:13:24 GMT -5
After the difficulties getting them to try a few new things thr S'mores have been so easy about transitioning to slivers a cubes I thought let's try something new http://instagram.com/p/BXRVnyNgGnm I finally pushed too hard Hahaha, diced meat and then they each automatically stole a bone in piece and ran to there stash corners in their cage where I heard them knawing on the smaller bone pieces http://instagram.com/p/BXRV599AkdM Have had to change the schedul from meal prep, set bowls in cage while they are out to play, clean, interactive play, back in for meal and rest. Since including diced and now bone in they have switched from eating together to grabbing, running, stashing and eating. From reading other threads this sounds like normal behavior. I just need to put food in as I put them in since they have free range in my room and I don't really rnjoy chasing after them to stop them from stashing raw meat under my bed or in the laundry. LOL
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2017 21:37:06 GMT -5
Bone in meal went great this morning. Found a good asian super market today and picked up some pork kidneys and heart on the cheap woohoo! The babies will have to wait for more of their favorite tongue, only place I saw it today was the hispanic market and after waiting in line to get some (was marked 9.99 / lb which I thought was pretty steep) was told I had to buy the whole tongue for $35. I said no thank you. LOL
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Post by katt on Aug 4, 2017 22:38:29 GMT -5
Ferrets aren't super fond of cold food, unless to cool down on a blazing hot day maybe. Most prefer their food at room temperature, same as cats, yes. Sometimes they like food warmed a little. . Not necessarily. Warming their food can be a way to entice them to eat, esp as it releases more aroma - but that doesn't mean they don't like it cold. In fact, offfering frozen meat or prey items can be great stimulation, and a wonderful way to cool off in the summer heat. ; ) I wouldn't offer it frozen while they are still in the process of switching though. Lol
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Post by katt on Aug 4, 2017 22:40:46 GMT -5
Also an FYI on the liver. Their diet should be 10% organ, of which AT LEAST half should be liver. They CAN have up to 10% of their diet as liver though, particularly if you have trouble finding other organs. It is greatly preferable to have half of the organ content be other organs such as kidney, brain, spleen, pancreas, uterus, testicles, etc - but if you are ever stuck without the "others" portion of organs on hand, they should be offered 10% liver rather than being short half of their organ content.
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Post by LindaM on Aug 5, 2017 1:11:51 GMT -5
That's true about using the full organ percentage when in need, I do know about that and I should have mentioned that fact (still better if you can actually offer some variety though). Thanks for bringing it up, katt. I did mention though about using cold food to help cool down on a very warm day, as even my own like to do that during such days. : P
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 2:38:19 GMT -5
Found the kidneys while shopping today and diced and weighed it out to complete the prep for tonights meal. They are eating great as long as I still dice it up. So far this week if it is diced into cubes and in their bowls they seem to be willing to eat anything.
It still amazes me how their eating behavior has changed. Ever since starting the bone in meats they have gone from eating out of the bowls next to each other to going through the bowl, finding a piece they like, grabbing it, and running off to eat it elsewhere. I don't leave their cage open during meals anymore because they live in my room and don't want to find treats under my pillow LOL
I'm guessing this grab run and eat behavior is natural and instinctive. They still get along wonderfully even during mealtime.
Should I leave them on cube size pieces for awhile? Should I try to increase it? What size should be the end goal?
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Post by LindaM on Aug 5, 2017 3:43:04 GMT -5
If you ever feel like them trying to eat meats in odd spots becomes a problem, you can create a feeding den. A box or for more durable use as it can be cleaned, a plastic storage container with a hole cut out will do. You may need to place them inside it, or help scoot them into it several times before the idea sticks. Sometimes placing their food in there can help get the idea across.
And yes, it's very natural what they are doing. It's pretty instinctive. Remember, in the wild they would need to go eat their food somewhere they would still be safe from a predator who might try to eat them while they are distracted eating.
How big are your current pieces? Could you show a chunk with maybe a teaspoon or something for reference (finger works too)?
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Aug 5, 2017 5:00:00 GMT -5
I'm guessing this grab run and eat behavior is natural and instinctive Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/23297/smores-babies-healthy-sweet?page=2#ixzz4osA1eMueOh yes. Where you put their food is not quite right. I close the door of their room now, for about 15 min or so. Not fun picking up a mouse behind the couch. Even then, food gets stashed under their cage or in a basket, and still--- one will drag something in the livingroom later. I had a den in their room---and found the occasional pooh in it, and I know who did it----my little blaze. Nothing like a nice quiet and dark place to do your business;)) But yeah a den is a good idea. Just a cardboard box turned on its side is good for a while even.
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