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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2011 17:18:36 GMT -5
Hmm, very interesting Mackerel sounds like a good idea, if I can't find that, I'll try halibut out and see what they think. I would love to try rabbit and quail also, I'll ask around. If I can't find any would you know of any sites that I could order it off of? Also, as for decreasing ground and increasing chunks of meat, is their anything else that I should start considering to be prepared for?
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Post by katt on Jun 8, 2011 4:43:31 GMT -5
Check Asian Markets. They should have rabbits. Craigslist is a good place sometimes for rodents. Any pet store that sells snakes should also feed frozen feeder rodents. Also look around for local private rodent suppliers - they often have other whole prey too. www.rodentpro.comhare today (don't know site off the top of my head) and a few more do online orders As for the next step...bones. You need strong scissors and a hammer, or an Ulu knife, or a bone cleaver.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2011 20:43:59 GMT -5
Perfect, thank you! I do have another question though, sorry After the ferrets have their "couple months nutrient eat a lot craze" how much on average do you think they would eat after they have slowed down? A Ulu knife? Sounds like a crazy tool, I'll have to start gathering them up.
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Post by katt on Jun 9, 2011 3:43:26 GMT -5
Perfect, thank you! I do have another question though, sorry After the ferrets have their "couple months nutrient eat a lot craze" how much on average do you think they would eat after they have slowed down? A Ulu knife? Sounds like a crazy tool, I'll have to start gathering them up. Uuuummmmm....I never measure.... lol I spend about $40 to fill my freezer, and that lasts for a few months. Every ferret is very different. Males I think eat 2-4 oz and females 1-3 oz per day...? On average. I will have to show you my ulu knife videos later I need to restart that thread - they are the BEST tool EVER.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2011 22:14:34 GMT -5
Haha, sounds good, I was mainly just curious I would LOVE to see those videos, I searched it on Google and couldn't believe how deadly it looked!
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Post by katt on Jun 10, 2011 0:35:27 GMT -5
Haha they are certainly deadly! I'll have to link you the videos when I get on my computer, I'm on my phone right now. How are the fuzz doing? How big are their chunks? Any luck finding new meats yet?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2011 0:24:41 GMT -5
Don't worry I can wait Okay, so... The meat was getting bigger but then I accidentally chopped it too fine, so, I am heading to the store tomorrow to get some more meat to make bigger. And I also found some elk, my aunt had some and said I could take plenty, also I think that I will also try to find some Halibut and Mackral.
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Post by katt on Jun 11, 2011 4:15:28 GMT -5
Cool! Keep fish as a minor part of their diet - it is good for them but is best in smaller amounts rather than as a staple. With saltwater fish you run the risk of Mercury if they get too much too often, and in general it can make them smelly I believe if they eat it too often. Seeing as how my boys won't touch seafood (that's fine - more for me! ) I can't say how much will make them smell, so you might have to experiment. The elk will be really god for them! With this next batch of chunks, up the size and try removing all ground meat if you have not already. Then start looking for some chicken wings, and we will get to work on the bone. You're halfway there!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2011 21:24:17 GMT -5
Oh, yeah, I forgot about the Mercury problem, dang. And I forgot to get the fish but I got some beef, pork, and got the elk from my aunt too, I can't wait to give them dinner, I think they will love it.
Half way? Yay! Do you know how long it usually takes for ferrets to become fully switched over?
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Post by katt on Jun 13, 2011 2:29:58 GMT -5
Oh, yeah, I forgot about the Mercury problem, dang. And I forgot to get the fish but I got some beef, pork, and got the elk from my aunt too, I can't wait to give them dinner, I think they will love it. Half way? Yay! Do you know how long it usually takes for ferrets to become fully switched over? Umm there is no real timeline for it as ferrets can be drastically different. Some take to it right away, others need to be hand fed for ages, and have to be hand fed and led through the entire "switch" all over again for EACH new protein. Ferrets, eh? What we need to do now is get them eating bone, that is the next "hard" step. There are a few key steps: 1)flavor 2) texture/chunks 3) bone 4) fur You have yours eating the raw, they are used to the flavor. They are also used to the texture and will now eat whole meat, we just need to up the size. Next is bones, getting in more variety and getting the balance worked out so they have everything that they need. Then, if you so choose whole prey and fur can come in at various points. But those 4 are the hardest obstacles to get them past. Let me know when you can get your hands on some chicken wings and a hammer
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2011 22:01:54 GMT -5
Very interesting. It is ridiculous that some ferrets can just about take forever to switch over, I am so happy mine aren't (usually) that way Also, I took away their ground meat and they ate it all up! I was really nervous to stop giving it to them because I always get afraid that they won't get enough to eat, but I took a chance and it was worth it! I need to get the chicken wings but I have the hammer, can't wait to use it
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Post by katt on Jun 14, 2011 3:41:15 GMT -5
Perfect! Never be afraid to push them They will tell you if it's too fast. The girls will be fine if they get a little hungry - more motivation. It won't hurt them. Wolfie on the other hand of course needs to be monitored. Are you still taking him out for personal snacks or is leaving the food in the cage all day sufficient? Just wondering. When you get the wings, smash and cut them up as good as you can. You want them to be totally pulverized to start with. Try to cut the bony meat mash into sizes close to the size of the chunks they are eating now or a little bigger. You may or may not need to mix in some Non bony chunks at first but see how they take it without that first. Scruff and stuff might be in order but usually exposing the marrow and pulverizing it into the meat will get them interested (marrow is super yummy). Once they start eating the crunchy meat, we can crush the bones less and less until they are eating solid bones. This process will depend on their willingness to eat the bone as well as their jaw strength. It can take a little time to build up the jaw muscles they need for whole bones but they ought to get there rather quickly. What are you currently feeding in terms of organs and heart? An luck finding more variety at all?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2011 17:22:41 GMT -5
I take Wolfie out every single day for his midday snack, it seems to help a lot.
I have found more variety but I haven't bought any yet, I need to go to the store, stomach counts doesn't it?
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Post by katt on Jun 14, 2011 17:37:13 GMT -5
Don't bother with stomach. Once you start to feed whole prey you will notice...they will eat everything BUT the intestines. THAT said, it is from what I can tell, the large intestine is usually the key one left. I don't know if the "stomach" as in the literal stomach organ (as opposed to the small and large intestines) is what is in those meat packages and/or what gets left behind (it's usually mangled). But I have always been told not to bother because they won't eat it. Never hurts to try though. Be prepared for some stench too btw... Lol I'll be back on again tonight. The more variety the better so bring home whatever you want to try next and keep adding in more variety. I'll post later about ways to pre-prepare the meat and make life easier too.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2011 23:17:21 GMT -5
That is very good to know and I can't wait to hear what you say about pre-preparing meat, that is going to save my life. And I'll make sure to keep adding more variety.
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