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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 15, 2012 20:19:05 GMT -5
Okay. Thank you for the advice. I'll give that a shot. Bubbles will eat the BARF straight & without me adding anything too, but I'll start with the others that have no problem with it & see if they'll take it straight.
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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 17, 2012 20:29:12 GMT -5
I didn't add any water to the barf mixture. I only added a little duk soup powder & ferretone. Bubbles & Mimiteh had no problem eating it as is. It cracks me up that my oldest & youngest LOVE this stuff. Some of the others kind of fought but at least licked it & know that it's edible. Rascal ate it from the spoon without a problem & Shiro also really had no issue with it.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 17, 2012 22:11:29 GMT -5
Excellent! Okay, how many different proteins have you tried them with, and are you interested in getting them on some bone in meals? For the ones who are still hesitant about it, just keep plugging away- they'll get there Let's work at getting Rascal and Shiro eating from the dish. If they are a bit hesitant, try getting on the floor with them and spoon feed while keeping your hand on them to prevent them running away. Lower the spoon as they are eating until they are licking from the spoon laying in the dish. Then start sliding the spoon a bit out of the way until they are licking it from the dish.
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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 18, 2012 19:55:42 GMT -5
I've been basically using the BARF patties (I get the sample pack which comes with a beef, lamb, chicken & combination patty. They will eat all four. It comes with bone so I really haven't thought about bone in meals. I'm hoping I answered the protein question right, my brain is totally fried from classes today.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 18, 2012 22:46:34 GMT -5
That's okay . So they are getting 3 proteins right now then. That's the minimum they need. More is, of course, better. The main reason I was asking about bone is for the dental benefits.
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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 20, 2012 17:49:43 GMT -5
Yes. I saw your post how the people at your vet were marveling at your older ferret's teeth & all you gave them were bones. At least I think it was you. Come hunting season, I should have access to venison to add to that list.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 20, 2012 18:27:29 GMT -5
Could have been me. My vet always comments on their teeth ;D That would be a great addition if you can get some venison for them If you are getting it for the bone, though- it's too dense for them to eat.
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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 20, 2012 20:28:15 GMT -5
Oh I was just hoping to get some pieces of meat for them. I seem to recall that chicken bone is best for ferrets or am I just making that up? Good news! I scruffed Snickerdoodle at first & held the spoon up to her & she licked it, I released my grip & she continued to lick the mixture from the spoon (I'm still omitting water from the mixture). She's starting to come around! Miki even took a bit from the bowl & ran off into an empty box to eat it. Stewie had to be scruffed but he did lick the spoon while being scruffed. Rascal ate from the bowl & Fungo did when I held him & held the bowl up to his nose (he'll still take it from the bowl). I'll be honest, I haven't really pushed it on Stig & Archer. I plan on starting the consistent push tomorrow evening when things are a bit more calm for me & I have a lot more time for them. Overall, I think we're making progress. Mimiteh, Bubbles & Shiro eat directly from the bowl every time without needing to use the spoon to coerce them. I'm really pleased with our progress.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 20, 2012 22:31:39 GMT -5
It sounds like they are doing REALLY well so far! As for bone- mine eat any part of the chicken, turkey necks, quail, duck necks, pork rib ends, and cornish hen. I can get all of what I mentioned at a grocery store or the raw feeding pet store. Those aren't including whole prey. For beginner bone eaters- chicken wings, ribs, or necks. Most of the cornish hen. Pork rib ends(a good bit of cartiledge and some softer bone). And quail.
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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 22, 2012 20:40:21 GMT -5
I've noticed that some people have a problem with their ferts taking to bones. Is that common?
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Post by Sherry on Sept 22, 2012 22:46:49 GMT -5
It can be. Crunching bones takes work, and ferrets are very lazy at heart It took 3 days of nothing but sectioned chicken wings for mine to start eating bone. Different ferrets of course take to it differently. And if I had it to do over again, I'd have started them on smashed up necks. It's much easier getting them on that.
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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 23, 2012 10:23:15 GMT -5
Good to know. They're probably lazy because we all baby them too much! I know I spoil mine like crazy with toys & snuggles & now a proper diet.
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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 27, 2012 18:01:27 GMT -5
No new updates. We're still at the same spot as last. Just thought I would check in.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 27, 2012 18:12:33 GMT -5
Okay, who is taking it very well on their own, who needs spoon feeding right now, and do you still have any who need finger feeding? Basically a run down of each ferret, including approximate amounts they are now eating of raw, and of kibble if any are still eating it. We need to start pushing the ones who aren't taking to it as well, and make a decision as to whether or not you are going to feed whole bone meals at all.
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Post by bluephoenix416 on Sept 28, 2012 19:36:58 GMT -5
Today was a pretty good day:
Snickerdoodle: I have to scruff her, hold the spoon up to her & she'll start licking it. Sometimes I can let go of the scruff & she'll continue to lick the spoon. Other times she just runs off. Stewie: will take from spoon if scruffed. He's insuliomic so will need to keep him around kibble. Bubbles: she'll take it straight from the bowl & will lick it clean if left alone with it. Shiro: same as Bubbles. Mimiteh: same as Bubbles. Rascal: starting to take it from the bowl without the spoon. Fungo: he'll take from the spoon & I'm working the spoon into the bowl. Miki: she'll lick from the spoon but will take little pieces & run off to eat. Stig: takes from the bowl Archer: taking it from the spoon now without scruffing, which is new!! YAY!!
Right now, the kibble they have is the Epigen 90 & Evo.
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