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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2013 14:39:05 GMT -5
I used to buy chicken necks when I made cooked chicken soup for Priscilla and Spencer, and the bones are pretty soft. I have pork in the freezer (for me) and I'll sliver some for them, but is there a length of time on one protein before you begin another, or does it matter? And by rotation, what is the length of time before switching out a new protein? Guess that's the same question as the one before it. Sorry
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2013 14:41:43 GMT -5
I do feel at times that we are making progress, but it is frustrating to not see them finish all the meat in the bowl. I worry that they aren't getting enough nutrients.
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 15, 2013 20:17:38 GMT -5
No problem with mixing different proteins or feeding one protein for breakfast, a different one for dinner, or one type of protein each day. Whatever easier for you. At first you will have to blend other proteins in with chicken if they wont take to it right away. same with organs. If they wont eat it straight up, just blend into something that they will eat. Only problem with mixing proteins is when your ferret is having an allergy or IBD and you are trying to figure out which protein it is
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2013 11:47:17 GMT -5
I am on cloud 9!! Hermes ate an entire wing tip last night, bones and all. His first try, and he loved it! Eyes closed the entire time he seemed to really enjoy crunching the bones in his teeth. It was such an exciting moment for me, a big treat for him (dance) (dance) Unfortunately, Merlin is still a couple of stages behind Hermes, which is fine with me. I offered 1/2 the wing tip to him, he just licked and smelled it. I tried holding him, rubbing his gums, and his nose. No thanks mommy. But Hermes was willing to eat the rest for him! Merlin will eat chunks (1/8 inch) and slivers of meat just fine and hasn't been on gruel for about 2 weeks, and hasn't had chunky soup for about a week (I don't even make it anymore), so we're doing great there. He's just taking his time changing from one texture to another. I'm going to try the boys on pork tonight (I'm having country style ribs, so I'll cut some before I grill it) so that should be interesting. Still using egg shell on slivers, 250mg taurine every other day per boy, and olive oil to moisten their meat. I can't thank you enough for all your help, I tried "raw" before, but was never successful. This program is amazing, and my mentor is a phenomenal instructor. I am currently suffering from (let's call a spade a spade!) pneumonia, and almost went to the ER this morning, consequently, I didn't get the boys weighed. Gonna try my best to take the scale home tonight to weigh them. I'm curious as to how their eating habits have affected their weight. I am still very cognizant that they are eating less, and I am doing my best to keep up their nutrients. (wave)
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2013 9:59:55 GMT -5
Well, I believe it's obvious that Merlin is not getting enough to fill his tummy at night. He wakes me every night anywhere from 2am on. This morning it was 5:30am. I got up, cut up lamb, and added the egg shell, and today is taurine day. I dribbled some olive oil over it. Nothing doing. He ate maybe 1 scant tablespoon, and that was with me using the spoon. I have been really sick and not sleeping (now on pred myself and it's awful!), and I wanted him to eat so he would sleep. Little bugger! Hermes was sleeping and I felt he must be ok because he wasn't awake. He eats more. I put some chicken wing tips in the cage this morning for Hermes because he only picked at his meat. I need to get to PetSupermarket and buy yet more Stella & Chewy's, prolly Chicken, since I have fresh (frozen) lamb and NV duck. I've only seen Chicken, Duck, Lamb and Beef. Do you know if they have a rabbit? It's waaaaay expensive for a pound of frozen rabbit here in Jax. Like $15.00. I do know people who hunt. Would fresh rabbit or venison be ok? Have a good weekend!!
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 17, 2013 12:08:06 GMT -5
if i were you i'd leave a some chicken wings or thighs in their cage and see what hermes does. i'm sure he'll take right to it. maybe smash up the bones a little bit. put in plastic zip lock bag and smash with a mallet to break bones otherwise you will get raw chicken everywhere.
you sound like a pro! it is normal for one ferret to be more stubborn than others. just take it slower with Merlin. he will get there. some ferrets are always awful with bone. Sonny is one of those. then again I think he has a problem with the left side of his jaw since he was a baby.
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 17, 2013 12:09:01 GMT -5
rabbit or venison from hunters is fine. but i would make sure that they are gutted AND i would deep freeze for 2-3 weeks before thawing out and feeding to your ferrets to make sure any parasites are destroyed by the deep freeze.
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 21, 2013 13:00:50 GMT -5
how is the switch going Cheryl? how many different proteins are on your list now? are they eating larger slivers/chunks/bones yet?
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 21, 2013 13:01:54 GMT -5
oh please get a weight on them when you get a chance.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2013 10:48:04 GMT -5
Merlin is 2.60 lbs! Yay, he's up from 2.50!!! Hermes is 2.85, he was a little less. I have to admit it's soooo hard to get an accurate weight, but these numbers keep coming up, so I'm sticking with them. Sorry for the awful delay! We are eating quail eggs (2 x a week). Merlin isn't thrilled, but Hermes is. They love goat milk frozen cubes!! (on Mondays) We are loving lamb, pork (a real favorite), raw beef, but not S&C. Today I am going to the store to get turkey thighs! They also get quail and chicken egg shells finely ground with all meals. Hermes ate 2 (separate occasions) chicken wings with bones!!!
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2013 10:49:01 GMT -5
Oh, and no gruel or mushy soup, no soup at all!! Just raw
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 22, 2013 11:48:28 GMT -5
sounds good! you have enough proteins definitely. hermes sounds like your superstar raw eater. oh can you find beef kidney? you can find them at publix sometimes. or pork kidneys. (sorry if i sound repetetive but balance is key here) remember that they each need 2 oz of liver each week, 2 oz of another organ (kidneys usually are easier to find) and i would say about 2-3 oz of raw hearts each week. the hearts are important bc they contain taurine. you can grind up and feed the organs a little bit at a time throughout the week by just blending them into their raw grinds or you can feed a meal of just organs. although some ferrets will turn their noses up at the organ meals. if Merlin is not yet eating the bones, continue to use the eggshell calcium at ratio of 1/2 tsp per every 8 oz of meat. I do hope he stops being a stubborn little brat. what does he do if you smash up chicken bones to expose the marrow? he does not show any interest? any interest in the wing tips? how big are Merlin's meat slivers now?
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 22, 2013 11:48:59 GMT -5
weights are fine btw.
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 22, 2013 11:56:19 GMT -5
you can also use chicken necks, duck necks, just chop them up. i am sure hermes would chow down on those bones from the chicken necks. oh you can also use quail or cornish game hens.
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 22, 2013 11:57:12 GMT -5
btw, there is always a picky drama queen ferret who is just ULTRA picky about food...and in your house, it sounds like the picky drama queen will be Merlin. LOL
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