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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2013 20:19:47 GMT -5
Yep, I do that too when adding new proteins. He likes the Rabbit in Stella & Chewy's FD, but the Bravo Basics Rabbit seems a bit stronger I think, IMO. I'm curious to see how he likes the Rabbit in the Primal Cat. When looking at the ingredients & %'s, Rabbit(CAT) was the ONLY one I felt was the best out of all the proteins. Sanuk LOVES Lamb in the S&C FD dry steaks, frozen & Rad Cat.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 14:18:39 GMT -5
Which food are you questioning the contents on, Bravo or Primal? Bravo is perfectly acceptable as it's no more than 5% veggie matter, Primal has some flavors with too much veggies (as high as 8%) but they do have some excellent, appropriate grinds too. I personally don't use Primal because it's very expensive and I would have to order it special from my store.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 20:31:30 GMT -5
Primal is the one I was questioning the contents. I have a 3 ring binder with different commercial raw companies that I use along with other information on raw feeding & yes Primal has quite a few that are 8% produce. I like to stick to 5% or less. I prefer Rad Cat(no veggies), Bravo "Basics" no veggies, Stella & Chewy's in that order. Yes Primal is horribly expensive, the Rabbit was $30+. Even tho Commercial grinds can be expensive, it really isn't for me because we only have one ferret & I also like that I can get a lot of different proteins, that aren't available for me here in the grocery store or butchers.
We did have success tonight for supper. I cut up my chicken necks & smashed one of the pieces. Tonight, Sanuk had Bravo "Basics" Duck with chicken neck cut up in a little bigger than sliver pieces. HE ATE ALL HIS SUPPER!!! (dance)
I weighed him tonight & he weighs: 3pounds & 10oz.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 20:45:04 GMT -5
Good boy Sanuk!!!! I think he'll come along quite well in no time. Keep offering him some meat and bone chunks each meal and gradually try increasing the size. Commercial raw is great because it lets you go raw without stressing about being balanced or not, and it's good to keep around for sick ferrets to make into soup/mush or if you have a shortage of something like organs in your area. I'm stuck feeding ground myself because I have two ferrets who don't want to progress past soup in addition to have one ferret wit ha severe beef allergy. The small amount of organs available in stores here are mostly all beef... so it's made it very difficult for me to try going full frakenprey. I haven't had much luck with slaughter houses or butchers to get organs and offal.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 20:57:15 GMT -5
I agree completely about the commercial raw being balanced, I like that I don't have to stress about that. I too am having a hard time finding any place that carries organs other than chicken liver. So I'm in the same boat as you with it being difficult going full frakenprey. I think that it is good for them to eat freeze dried, frozen & frankenprey(if possible. LOL), because in case you are sick or they are sick & either someone else has to feed them or being fed in the vet. The vet or other person may be more willing to feed freeze dried dry or rehydrated, then frozen raw or frankenprey. Plus it isn't difficult to screw up if someone else has to feed them the frankenprey.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 21:15:08 GMT -5
Where have you looked for your organs? These are some places that may have some: Grocery stores Ethnic markets (asian or hispanic) Butcher shops Slaughter houses Local hunters (ask them, they're usually happy to give you what they don't want) Local farms/farmers. Some people may raise chicken and be willing to give or sell you chicks they don't need, scraps from animals they slaughter etc.
Check to see if there are any local raw groups either online or in person that can tell you where they get their supply from.
I know this is going to sound terribly racist, I apologize but Walmarts, the super ones with the markets in them tend to sell a lot of ethnic foods in my experience because they get a large amount of that clientele usually. You can find some unusual meats that "white" people won't normally eat in addition to exotic produce and other items.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 22:00:17 GMT -5
I have checked the grocery stores, butcher shops around my area. We have two Walmarts here & neither have ethnic foods, same with ethnic markets, none here. Not many local farms/farmers in my area either, I have asked around. I will be a happy ferrant, when he eats bones on his own without hiding them in his food. LOL However, I just remembered I have a classmate from high school that has his own butcher business. I will ask him if he can get me some organs & such. Worth a try to find out. I'll let you know what I find out.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2013 7:40:04 GMT -5
Hmm where do you live may I ask? I can ask the mighty google for some help.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2013 12:36:05 GMT -5
North Dakota. I live in Mandan/Bismarck right next to the river. There are rural farmers around but I would have to drive a big distance & I don't know any farmers in this area. If my classmate can get them for me, that alone is 3hrs or more drive for me. I'm looking to get a smaller freezer that will be primarily Sanuk's food, since right now he takes up 3/4 of our freezer in our fridge now. LOL It would be worth the drive to get items in bulk & I would trust him with his produce since I know him.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2013 14:36:12 GMT -5
Ahhh yes, Dakotas might as well be middle of nowhere... still want to live there though. Silly bf of mine and his need for cities. :/
Hmm while not idea you can always use taurine supplements if you can't get hearts, FD liver if fresh isn't available. Getting additional organs might be tough, but if you can get in with some local hunters you should be able to get lots free. If you have a local gun club, you can often stalk some hunters through there lol.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2013 15:00:21 GMT -5
Yes, I'm in the middle of know where. LOL We are looking to move to Couer d'Alene, Idaho in a year. I have already done my research on where I can get my commercial raw grinds from & I can get them in two places locally. YAY I have also found a Ferret knowledgeable Vet! YAY on that too. (dance) I'm guessing I will have better luck finding fresh organs & such there too. Good idea on the local hunters, too bad it isn't fall season. LOL I give Taurine supplements to Sanuk now & also FD Chicken & Turkey hearts. I thought I added you on my friend list on FB & now I can't find you on there? FB is always doing goofy stuff. *sigh*
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2013 20:49:10 GMT -5
Yeah I'm on FB as Bethany Dubeck, in the HFF group as one of the admins, if that helps you find me.
I believe it's turkey season right now FYI, or at least it is around here as of when I talked to my mother recently. (she hunts)
If mr Sanuk eating his chunky pieces still alright?
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2013 22:10:09 GMT -5
Yep he is, I was just going to let you know he had Bravo Basics duck tonight with some chunks of turkey neck in it, about a teaspoon full. Turkey neck with meat & bone. He ate almost all of his supper & did well with the neck & some bone. I know it will just take time, but he will get & start munching away.
I have some Primal Rabbit thawing & some Rad Cat Lamb will see how that goes tomorrow night. I will mix the rabbit & lamb together & add some turkey neck, meat & bone.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2013 5:56:12 GMT -5
Sounds good. If you are feeling confident in him enough to increase the chunk size a bit, go ahead.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2013 18:57:12 GMT -5
SO happy! For supper Sanuk had Rad Cat Chicken, teaspoon S&C fd with a little bigger chunks of chicken neck meat & bone. I heard him crunching on some of the bone. He ate all but 4 chunks. I smashed up a piece that was the size of an inch & cut into a little bigger chunks. He is so funny. I put a box next to his condo on the outside in the corner & he would take a mouthful & go in his box & eat the chunks. (dance)
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