Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2012 20:22:23 GMT -5
Last few months I've made a point to work out what animals are suitable as food for Australian raw feeders. It's purely to help out those who are a bit stuck for choice.
Please keep in mind, that Australia has none of the diseases that other countries have & a large portion of wild game are easily suitable as pet food or even human consumption.
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Animals Suitable as Food for Ferrets.
Be aware of wild animals & freeze for 3 to 6 weeks to kill off potential parasites. Handle with gloves & great care.
Avaian
Turkey, Duck, Chicken, Geese, Quail, Finch, Sparrows, Moore Hens. Just about any available bird species.
- Some species are protected natives or not commonly fed, so are only optional as road kill (yes, this acceptable) or when breeders cull unwanted animals.
Mammalian
Beef, Lamb/Mutton, Goat, Camel, Kangaroo, Wallaby, Rabbit, Domestic Pig, Cavies/Guinea Pigs, Rats, Mice, Brushtail Possum.
- The majority can be found in stores, some however can be specially ordered offline or from specialty stores, others can be road kill or problem animals that have been culled.
Freshwater Foods
(Fish) Barramundi, European Carp, Bony Bream, Eel-tail Catfish, Straight-backed Catfish, Freshwater Eels, Trout species, Freshwater Mullet, Freshwater Perch species, Bass, Smelt, Hardy-head, Mosquito Fish, Guppies.
(Other Non-Fish Species) Mussel, Shrimp, Crayfish, Yabbies.
- Not all of these can be bought, some require going out & capturing, others may be specially ordered in by some stores. Even then, not all ferrets will recognise these are food. Some are more appealing when lightly cooked without any seasoning & then fed.
Saltwater Foods (Fish)
All species of Herring, Bonefish, Milk-fish, Anchovy, Pilchard, Eel-tail Catfish, Blue & Salmon or Forked-tail Catfish, Saltwater Mullet species, Perchlet species, Pearl Perch, Silverbelly, Whiting species, Flathead species, Salmon species, Sardines.
(Other Non-Fish Species) All species of Lobster, Crabs, Prawns/Shrimps.
- Many are simply used as bait, but these are excellent species for ferrets due to extremely low mercury levels, virtually untraceable, & their high content of nutrients. Most bigger species, like Tuna, contain high amounts of mercury & can lead to illness or even premature death. Please Note: For both Freshwater & Saltwater species, all shellfish & crustaceans may be lightly cooked to encourage tasting.
In the past, some people fed bats, turtles & snakes, this is not advised.
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I hope this is helpful to people. Myself feed a rather large variety off this list, I'll bump it up from time to time so Aussies can read it.
Please keep in mind, that Australia has none of the diseases that other countries have & a large portion of wild game are easily suitable as pet food or even human consumption.
_____________________________________
Animals Suitable as Food for Ferrets.
Be aware of wild animals & freeze for 3 to 6 weeks to kill off potential parasites. Handle with gloves & great care.
Avaian
Turkey, Duck, Chicken, Geese, Quail, Finch, Sparrows, Moore Hens. Just about any available bird species.
- Some species are protected natives or not commonly fed, so are only optional as road kill (yes, this acceptable) or when breeders cull unwanted animals.
Mammalian
Beef, Lamb/Mutton, Goat, Camel, Kangaroo, Wallaby, Rabbit, Domestic Pig, Cavies/Guinea Pigs, Rats, Mice, Brushtail Possum.
- The majority can be found in stores, some however can be specially ordered offline or from specialty stores, others can be road kill or problem animals that have been culled.
Freshwater Foods
(Fish) Barramundi, European Carp, Bony Bream, Eel-tail Catfish, Straight-backed Catfish, Freshwater Eels, Trout species, Freshwater Mullet, Freshwater Perch species, Bass, Smelt, Hardy-head, Mosquito Fish, Guppies.
(Other Non-Fish Species) Mussel, Shrimp, Crayfish, Yabbies.
- Not all of these can be bought, some require going out & capturing, others may be specially ordered in by some stores. Even then, not all ferrets will recognise these are food. Some are more appealing when lightly cooked without any seasoning & then fed.
Saltwater Foods (Fish)
All species of Herring, Bonefish, Milk-fish, Anchovy, Pilchard, Eel-tail Catfish, Blue & Salmon or Forked-tail Catfish, Saltwater Mullet species, Perchlet species, Pearl Perch, Silverbelly, Whiting species, Flathead species, Salmon species, Sardines.
(Other Non-Fish Species) All species of Lobster, Crabs, Prawns/Shrimps.
- Many are simply used as bait, but these are excellent species for ferrets due to extremely low mercury levels, virtually untraceable, & their high content of nutrients. Most bigger species, like Tuna, contain high amounts of mercury & can lead to illness or even premature death. Please Note: For both Freshwater & Saltwater species, all shellfish & crustaceans may be lightly cooked to encourage tasting.
In the past, some people fed bats, turtles & snakes, this is not advised.
_____________________________
I hope this is helpful to people. Myself feed a rather large variety off this list, I'll bump it up from time to time so Aussies can read it.