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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 16:11:09 GMT -5
Hello all, recently joined whole prey feeder. Right now my girl eats nothing but large/adult mice from bigcheeserodents.com , and while she doesn't seem to suffer any side effects beyond possible IBS, I wanted to know what other whole prey I could give her. I've done ground up bunny, which she didn't care for, though she ate up baby bunnies pretty quickly. I've had one friend offer to go in on some rabbit, which is something that may take some time for me to get use to having to carve up, and almost seems like too much for just one ferret depending on how long the carcass would last frozen.
And any recommendations or links to other threads would be helpful. The little brat is rather picky, though she'll eventually eat what she has if not all that willingly.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 16:36:20 GMT -5
Hi and Welcome. The more experienced ferrents will tell you your little girl is going to need at least three proteins, I'm just learning know and will soon try to switch my two new little ones. One rabbit does seem like alot for one little girl (what's her name, can we see pictures), anyway, so maybe you should get two, three, four, five more ferrets. Or get ten or twenty, and then you can purchase a whole cow! (I'm just kidding, though I do love ferret math).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 16:48:11 GMT -5
Well, I haven't quite figured out how to get photos to post. I put a couple on dropbox, but they didn't seem to work for me. I know there is something on the tech support page about photos but that didn't quite seem to work for me.
Her name is Bree, and right now I don't know how she'd do with other ferrets. I will be taking her up this weekend more than likely when I visit a friend, and we'll see how she does there. I remember that when she was in the playpen with other ferrets at the shelter before adoption, she was something of a screamer and hisser, although she may of just not known what the 'proper' noises are for playing with others. Hopefully she and my friend's girl get along, and then I very well could look into getting her a cage mate.
I did see that they want three proteins and I figure as long as it's got a face, my girl will clean her plate.. or rather I'll be cleaning her food den after she shakes it everywhere..
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 16:57:12 GMT -5
If your girl is a deafy then the screaming and unusual sounds are completely normal. Sometimes deafies just don't know the proper vocalization for their emotions. What you should be looking out for is fear pooping from either ferret involved and any broken skin. Ferrets have very tough skin so it's difficult for them to actually get injured during play, but if either ferret is scared of the other, a slower more gradual introduction might be necessary.
As for protein, yes, it is recommended to have a minimum of 3 protein sources. These can be mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds (adult chicken or quail or pheasant), etc.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 17:03:07 GMT -5
Oh, I already did the deaf test within the first couple months of having her. It took a bit to be sure she wasn't responding to motion, but she can hear.. especially when my spoon clinks against the side of the cereal bowl. (I'll let her occasionally lick the bottom, but it's a rare treat since I know they aren't suited for lactose.)
I'll look into ordering some rabbit and rats from my usual place, or maybe somewhere closer with cheaper shipping. Does the age of the rabbit and rats matter too much if she is getting adult mice? Would baby/young rabbits and young/teenage rats offer a wider variety of nutrients? Also same for the poultry?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2013 17:38:13 GMT -5
does she eat live prey yet? just curious (: its very mentally stimulating for them! if your open to more raw, you can try chicken,venison,beef,pork, quail, chicks and even bugs my novak LOVES hunting moths lol he also likes crickets, the younger you start her the better your results my older boys I have to "scruff and stuff" to even try new things the ol dab on the nose trick don't even work. From what I can see she's absolutely beautiful more pics would be awesome! let us know how shes doing!!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2013 18:09:05 GMT -5
I've thought about live prey, but some part of me just isn't sure I could do it to the mouse. I've tried her on crickets in the bath tub, but she ate one and a half, and maimed another I had to put out of it's misery. The other two got to go out the window.
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Post by Sherry on Jul 13, 2013 18:31:43 GMT -5
Other proteins in the whole prey vein they usually like are rats, guinea pigs, quail, chicks, rabbit, gerbils.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2013 18:52:59 GMT -5
Once I get some more freezer space, and more funds, I plan on buying her some rats, and possibly some rabbit with another order. I might see if I can get a hold of something else for her too.
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Post by Sherry on Jul 15, 2013 9:00:15 GMT -5
It would be a good idea, just to be sure all her nutritional bases are covered. Would you be willing to try her with some meats from the grocery store to round her diet out?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 9:02:08 GMT -5
I have fed her chicken legs, wings, breasts, and once over time a whole chicken. She doesn't take to it that quickly or she'll get tired of it really soon most of the time that I've gotten chicken for her.
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Post by Sherry on Jul 15, 2013 9:04:34 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 15:35:48 GMT -5
Hmm, how are ferrets with Shrimp/shrimp heads? My grandmother got a bunch or fresh raw ones and wondered if my girl could/would eat the heads and I don't know if I've seen anything as far as shellfish (even though I know it relates a lot to insects)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 15:57:08 GMT -5
good idea, can they eat ocean fish?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 17:04:38 GMT -5
I've fed her tilapia here and there, and salmon as well, but never in large amounts, more treat-sized quantities.
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