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Post by Sherry on Mar 3, 2013 16:53:34 GMT -5
With the soup, if they don't eat their full portion don't worry about it too much. Give it for one or at most two meals. And yes, ferrets will sometimes fast themselves, it at least each much less than normal. They are very good at self regulating what they need. If the diet is somewhat unbalanced for a week or two, no big deal either
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2013 23:51:09 GMT -5
Hey Sherry,
I have a question that is ferret related but not really related to diet. Our apartment building is having trouble with ants this winter and they have recommended everyone to put out ant poison in the little traps so they will carry it back to their nest. We have spots where we can put them so that the ferrets won't get them, but we are worried that maybe the ants may drop some on the floors and stuff. Is that something we should worry about (and hence not put out the traps) or are we just being paranoid??! I know this may be something you are not sure about but we were just wondering.
BTW, ferrets are doing fairly well with the kidney but still hand feeding Cyrus.
Thanks Breanne
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Post by Sherry on Mar 9, 2013 0:13:34 GMT -5
TBH, I never put out any poison if there's a chance they can get to it. Now, that said if the ants aren't going near the fuzz it shouldn't be a problem. However if their trail back out leads past where the fuzz are it could present a concern.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2013 12:23:44 GMT -5
Exactly what we thought! Too bad there isn't come kind of pet friendly ant poison!
Thanks Sherry.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2013 21:55:45 GMT -5
Hi Sherry,
Since last time I have been lessening the amount of chicken in their kidney/chicken soup but they don't seem to be eating much of it. Cyrus especially, I will give her a little taste and then she will struggle to get away from me because she doesn't want to have any more of it. Zeus eats a bit, but not as much as when I made it with more chicken.
They seem like they aren't eating much the past few weeks - they usually love heart and liver but they haven't really been eating much that very well either. I think that is just a phase that they are going through though.
Is there a different kidney that is usually available that we can try? I am not sure why Cyrus is so resistant to it. Is kidney an important part of their diet, or could we substitute something for it? It seems like we have not made any progress with this because Cyrus won't even try it most of the time!!
Thanks Sherry, and have a good Easter!
Breanne
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Post by Sherry on Mar 28, 2013 9:02:28 GMT -5
Any other organ would do as well. Brain, thymus, pancreas, lung, spleen, reproductive organs, etc. Mine hate kidney as well, so frequently get it either dehydrated or freeze dried as "treats" ;D What type of kidney is it you've been trying again? If it's beef can you find a different one? Pork and lamb are usually the two easiest to find. If you have a halal market anywhere near you you can get lamb kidney there. And let's get them entirely off the soup except two meals for now. Their liver/kidney can be mixed into that. They need at least one more protein in there as well. Pork or beef any cut will do. Since they are imprinted on chicken it might be difficult but they really do NEED those other proteins. Starting with the turkey necks again in place of some of the chicken wings would be good also. And if you substitute pork chunks one week, and beef chunks the next over two weeks that would be 5 proteins.
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Post by Sherry on Apr 18, 2013 8:55:45 GMT -5
Updates?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2013 7:32:14 GMT -5
Hey Sherry,
SUNDAY hearts & chicken wings MONDAY chicken wings & turkey neck TUESDAY chicken liver & chicken wings WEDNESDAY turkey neck & pork THURSDAY beef kidney (only zeus will eat it)& and turkey neck FRIDAY chicken wings & pork SATURDAY chicken wings & turkey neck
they are eating chunk sizes
Breanne
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Post by Sherry on Apr 27, 2013 9:52:28 GMT -5
Hi It might be an idea to switch one or two of the wing meals to either thigh and/or drumstick. Cornish hen would also be a good addition for bone days, as well as another protein. To get the others eating the kidney, try pureeing it with enough water to make a soup, and adding either 1/2 tsp heavy cream per ferret, or the of goat's milk and spoon feeding. You can gradually wean them off the cream/milk as well as the hand feeding.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2013 11:34:23 GMT -5
Ok we have never given theigh or drumstick, I thought the bones would be too thick but we an try.
With Cyrus we have already tried pureing the kidney into a soup with chicken meat. She wouldn't eat it. We have also tried adding cream. We have also tried letting the kiddny sit in milk for two days before giving it to her and haven't had much success.
I think out best bet is to try one of the other organs you mentioned. I just have to keep searching for them!
Breanne
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Post by Sherry on Apr 28, 2013 12:16:45 GMT -5
With the leg/thigh bone, smash it up well with a meat hammer or cleaver. As for the kidney- try the entire "switching" process with her. Puree, and dab some on her nose over and over again. Once she does accept it from your finger then you can proceed with the spoon feeding.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2013 21:47:41 GMT -5
OK will do Sherry.
We are planning to go to the farmers market this weekend so we may be able to find something there to replace the kidney, but until then we will keep dabbing it on her nose
Breanne
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2013 14:38:11 GMT -5
Hi Sherry, We went to the farmers market this weekend. None of the vendors had any different chicken organs on hand but we found one that would be able to get it for us upon special request. I don't think we will be going back this weekend, but the following weekend we probably will so we will call in advance and ask them to get some for us.
I am wondering what organ you think would be best to try with them. You previously mentioned "Brain, thymus, pancreas, lung, spleen, reproductive organs, etc" so I would like to know which you think we may have the most success with.
Also, just curious.. what is it in the kidney/other organs that they need that they don't get from the rest of their raw diet?
Thanks!! Breanne
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Post by Sherry on May 6, 2013 17:16:55 GMT -5
Since we try to base a raw diet on whole prey, we use a number and variety of different parts to be certain all their dietary requirements are met. The problem is there have been no definitive studies done specifically on ferret requirements. Does kidney et all have some unique special vitamin or mineral not available elsewhere in the body? Honestly- I have no idea. But I try to keep in mind that we truly DON'T know. And try to err on the side of caution as a result.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2013 13:56:01 GMT -5
Oh OK good to know!
Thanks Sherry - We will let you know when we get the new parts.
Breanne
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