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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 9:30:16 GMT -5
Oh yeah... that's what I'm talking about. Ferredise! Even though I'm in NY and its COLD and snowy, we could still do an indoor/outdoor like that and just make sure that the gates to go outdoors were closed in the winter, unless mommy was there to supervise. Wishful thinking since we haven't won yet.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2013 12:18:12 GMT -5
Yeah, I definitely didn't win lol. Heather Downie (one of the admins/mentors here and on FB) has an enclosure similar to what you mentioned. She has a room in her house that is connected to an outdoor enclosure by a long, hand-built tunnel. Even if I don't win the lottery, I think it's a pretty do-able idea for the future. Our seasons are pretty mild out here so an outdoor enclosure would likely get used almost daily. Wishful thinking indeed lol I'm still super broke at the moment (especially after Christmas shopping! Oh man is my savings account DEAD lol)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2013 13:13:00 GMT -5
Because Shawn and I have both been sick we haven't even started. No tree, no decorations, no gifts yet. We've been so worried about keeping the pets fed, we haven't focused on Christmas yet. Time to get a move on.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2013 12:05:54 GMT -5
lol this is the first year (EVER) that I have gotten my shopping done by the second week of December. Unfortunately the rest of my friends and family weren't so on top of things lol we haven't set up our tree or decorations either, and nobody else has finished shopping haha
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2013 11:02:44 GMT -5
Hello! Merry Christmas! I hope you're having a good week! How is the group doing? Did Santa bring them anything? Don't worry about the usual updates this week as long as they're all doing well. I'm sure you're busy, all I need is to know that they're eating regularly and still looking good. I saw your post about ear cleanings finally working!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2013 18:30:53 GMT -5
Hello! Merry Christmas. I was hoping the bedding I ordered from Rose in October would have been here by now. She said 4 - 6 weeks but no such luck. I was also looking for a kiddie pool because my fat boys are too big for large Rubbermaid boxes. I wanted to get them a big kiddie pool that I can put snow or leaves or cornstarch packing peanuts in... Or water in summer. I just haven't found one I like. I'm not sure what else makes for good enrichment toys. They destroyed a ferretrail tunnel this past week because fatty 1 and fatty 2 (Rufus and Trigger) decided to stuff themselves in and broke it. Oh well. Time for dinner. Hope you have a great holiday!
They're eating like pigs and Skeeter is looking better and is acting more alert and active. Poops are still normal.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2013 14:03:15 GMT -5
That's strange that your order from Rose hasn't arrived! Has she told you if it's shipped yet? It sounds like you've had some bad luck with online orders arriving on time lately haha. Kiddie pools are a great idea! Or if you can't find a good kiddie pool, sand boxes work pretty well for dig box set ups as well. My pair kind of took over my room lately lol they have their dig box with half rice and half shredded paper (bad idea btw lol), a ball pit, and a box full of wrapping paper that is now all over my room, as are ball pit balls, toys, etc...I definitely need to do some cleaning today lol
I'm so glad everyone is doing well! Woo!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2014 16:23:41 GMT -5
Happy New Year. So we had a little scare the other day. Rufus is the biggest fuzzball, as you know. The other day he was straining to poop and since he hadn't chewed or eaten anything inappropriate, I suspected a hairball. So we followed the recommended forum instructions for pumpkin and vaseline and he dropped a giant orange poop about 4 hours later, thank goodness.
Everyone seems to have a smaller appetite right now. I guess the raw feeding frenzy is over. I did read that it spikes up and they gorge themselves for a while and then once it becomes regular it will taper off. I guess that has happened now.
I'm having a HUGE issue with these guys and bathroom. I have 7 litter boxes and about eight feet of newspaper on the floor. Skeeter regularly uses the newspaper. Rufus doesn't like it. Candy prefers the floor in front of the ball pit and Trigger just goes wherever, whenever. I've been following the bootcamp instructions and so everytime they start backing up in an inappropriate location I pick them up and put them on the nearest paper or litter box. For most of them they don't go when I do that... like I gave them stage fright.
I did notice two things in the last week. They've started spitting out the bone in the whole grinds and their poop has gotten softer. So, do you think that until I can get them on whole prey that I should get a calcium/bone powder supplement? If they're just going to spit out the bones, they're not really getting the necessary nutritional balance, are they?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2014 12:32:44 GMT -5
Ah. I finally got to use the computer. I should be able to get online more often (without using my phone - it's almost impossible for me to write replies with my phone), I just finished building my new PC so once I get the desk set up and the antennae for my wireless adapter I will be able to get online whenever I need to (when I'm not at work or the bf's lol). The best part is my computer will finally be in my bedroom so I'll be able to spend a lot more time with the ferrets! I'm glad you were able to solve the hairball issue You'll be amazed at how frequently appetites change throughout a year. Once summer comes they'll be eating even less. Mine also have problems using litter boxes outside of the cage. They have two spots that they use almost every single time when they're out of the cage, but if I put a puppy pad down Theia will literally shred it to bits. And one of the spots is behind my door, so a litter box won't bit. I'm still trying to figure out a solution to it as well. Yes, if they aren't eating all the bone I would supplement with either pure bone meal powder or ground eggshells until you see them eating bone again (lazy butts ). Also, if you're comfortable with their current weight and appetites, you might consider giving them larger chunks maybe once a week to see how they do with them. If they ignore the chunks, try making them more enticing with a drizzle of salmon oil.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2014 14:40:09 GMT -5
Rufus is being a fuss-butt. He's decided this week that he won't eat unless it is off my fingers. Literally turns his nose up at the food in bowls but if I scoop it with my finger he slurps it up like he's never seen food before. Go figure.
Don't you love setting up something new? I try to rearrange my office every few months or so. I'm glad you'll be able to surf the web with your babies.
I just can't get them all on the same page. Now that Rufus is being picky, Skeeter is eating well - chomping bones and all. Candy is normal and eats well. Trigger is a pig as usual. I'm noticing that they much prefer the soup.
I read a few posts that said that some folks ferrets didn't like the sliver and chunk stage but went right from soup to bone-in. Do you think I should get some pinkies or fuzzies and try them with the ferrets?
I'm so upset. We have a problem with mice in our kitchen because of the previous homeowner. So for the past week, we've been setting traps and catching the mice. It makes me sad that they have to be killed, but it makes me sadder that it is a complete waste. The problem is, I have no idea if she had any type of rat/mouse poison put in place at any time, so I can't know if the mice are safe to feed. What a waste of good mouse meat.
As for chunks. I've been cutting the heart into 1/4 inch chunks for them. I noticed that they chew and then spit out the chunks. They don't seem to mind chewing the chunks of fine ground stuff from MPC, but they hate the course ground stuff. So little chunks it is, big chunks are out right now.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2014 19:18:21 GMT -5
What proteins have you been feeding? Could it be that Rufus is getting bored of the same taste, or are you mixing it up plenty with the same reaction to all flavors? Does he react to chunks any differently than the soup?
I was pretty stubborn with both Javik and Theia when I got them, granted they were much younger. Javik didn't even fight me on the switch, the first day I got him I threw a raw chicken drumstick in the cage to see how he would react. Within the first few hours he went from ignoring it, to licking it, to stashing and chewing it. Theia was much more difficult, as usual. At the time that I got her, I was feeding Javik primarily whole animal grinds from Hare today, she refused to eat them. So I gave her some Ziwipeak for a few weeks, mixing in a small amount of soup with it as she accepted it and progressed to the grind after that. Once I ran out of my Hare Today order I made the decision to go with Frankenprey chunks, which she actually accepted immediately. She is a lot pickier than Javik, and doesn't care for the same things that he goes nuts for. I have yet to have her try any mice or rats, and Javik has only tried them a few times himself. At first Javik ignored the pinkies I gave him for a few hours, but eventually (probably after they reached a warmer temp) he ate them willingly, then I gave him hoppers, and then fuzzies (all pre-killed and defrosted). After that I let him try a live hopper once, and while he did well with that kill, I probably won't be feeding them again for a while just because it is expensive and he didn't seem particularly interested in it.
Anyway, feel free to throw an assortment of mice in for them and see if they have any interest in that if you would like. Some ferrets take to whole prey easier than others, others turn their nose to it. Often the process of the switch is primarily experimentation until you find what your fuzz are comfortable with. A lot of ferrets do prefer large chunks over slivers because - I imagine - it's more satisfactory to be able to stash and chew their meat themselves. Eating slivers from liquid meat probably doesn't come too naturally to them. You might just need to find the exact kind of meat that makes them enjoy it. I know my guys LOVE smaller poultry bones, especially quail and pheasant, if you can find them that might be a good starting point for introducing larger chunks and bone when you're ready.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2014 11:28:24 GMT -5
You asked about which proteins I've been feeding them. The MPC order was whole ground goat, rabbit, and various birds: Duck, Goose and Turkey.
Three things I learned today, having run out of ground Rabbit and Goat, and after feeding them a meal of full Turkey grinds with a whole egg, Lamb Heart and a touch of Beef Spleen.
1. Skeeter is apparently allergic to Turkey, as well as Chicken. After eating, he had the worst case of fast poops. So clearly Turkey (which must be too close to chicken) doesn't agree with him.
2. Without the cut of non-poultry items, Rufus has had some Irritable Bowel looking poops as well. Not egg poops (I know they can look yellow and runny), but these are IBD looking poops.
3. They still hate Beef Spleen. Last time I added it, they all rejected the food. Today, none of them want to eat it either. Candy and Trigger ate the most but aren't loving it.
My next MPC order consists of Turkey Hearts again (those are the perfect size for my guys and its a small enough taste of poultry to not bother their little tummies. I've ordered ground Rabbit again, since they love it. I also got ground Muskrat (since they are the largest rodents out there), and I once again ordered some ground Duck.
This time I also ordered ground Mutton and because they loved the Salmon Oil (even Skeeter too now), I wanted to try some type of fish as a protein. I was thinking that wild ferrets, if they were near a water source, would probably try a fish, so I bought some ground Herring. If they don't like it, I'll give it to my dogs, so no loss on my side.
Money is tight on my side because I was put on Work Reduction in December and I lost two paychecks. I saved up a bunch of money because they do this to us every quarter, but I can't splurge and spend extra right now. When I'm back to getting full paychecks (next week), I'm going to order from Hare-Today: some ground Cavies and ground Mice to start with, as well as some whole prey 1-Day old Quails for them to start with.
I figure the combination from MPC and HT will give them a varied diet. Then if they like the ground version, I can slowly transition them to whole prey versions.
We also did some experimentation this weekend. After what you said about pulling slivers out of the soup being unnatural, I tried serving them just grinds with heart chunks. Skeeter actually ate some of the plain grinds, but he mostly just licked them as if they were soupies. These guys aren't really used to opening wide to bite chunks of food. When they accidentally get a hunk of meat in their soup, they run off and then I hear them chewing, so I know they know how. Rufus is the only one who eats by taking a HUGE bite and carrying it off to a "den" under the fouton. Without the soupies though, Rufus wouldn't touch the heart chunks.
So, given that we're not there yet... how do I clean their teeth?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2014 12:41:56 GMT -5
I know you're replying right now but I wanted to let you know that I did end up ordering from Hare Today. I got ground whole carcass cavvies, ground whole carcass mice and ground whole carcass quail. I thought it would be good to get them eating things more natural to them. I mean, I can't see a business of ferrets taking down a goat in the wild LOL. That would be some sight to see. I also ordered a bag of pinkies to try to get them started on whole prey items. Keep your fingers crossed. HT should arrive tomorrow and MPC on Saturday.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2014 13:12:55 GMT -5
It is strange that he's having these reactions to poultry. Skeeter's reactions don't sound like they could be IBD or any serious allergy, just that it doesn't agree with his system. Can you explain Rufus' poops in detail for me?
The beef spleen doesn't surprise me, spleen is one of those organs most ferrets seem to turn their noses from. Even ferrets who have been fed raw their entire lives don't particularly like spleen.
Sherry's ferrets go nuts for spelt, if you ever have a chance to get those they seem to go well with most ferrets. I have yet to try them with mine though. Oh and I think the same way about their food lol, if they don't eat it, it still isn't a loss because my parents' dog goes NUTS for anything raw.
I know how you feel, I had an entire week off during christmas (which was a last minute thing, I had been planning on working that week all month), so I had to be careful with my money for a few weeks.
Well, with raw the two things we feed to really scrub their teeth is bone and gizzards, but seeing as they aren't at chunks yet, you can buy a tiny kitten toothbrush from a pet store and just give them a little scrubbing. I wouldn't use any toothpastes though since they generally have questionable ingredients. Just some scrubbing here and there will be good enough until they get used to chunks.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2014 13:15:23 GMT -5
Fantastic on the HT order I like to go with the same idea when buying food. If it's something they can't generally kill on their own in the wild then it's one of the foods I feed less often. I figure they might scavenge off carcasses in the wild if they're desperate enough, but generally they do their own killing. So the base of their diet is quail, pheasant, CGH, chicken, duck, and rabbit. And the rarer meals are beef, pork, and lamb (mostly just organs come from these though).
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