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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2014 10:06:08 GMT -5
They will be getting the grinds on Weds and Sat mornings. So what meal do I count that as seeing how it has the organs and all in it? I tried to give them a Chicken leg and thigh. It was to big for them so I had to cut it in pieces anyway. I had to cheat and sprinkle egg shells on it cause they didn't even eat the bones. Well I guess now I know that doesn't work for them. Mikah is still being bullheaded about the eggs, will only eat the off a spoon. Penelope is getting there. I have to hold them by the scruff, not scruffed or even real tight, just my hand on it so they eat. Maybe that is a comfort thing thing or something. Otherwise I think we are all doing good. Our weight and progress report. May 19, 2014 Miko: 2lbs 2.4 oz. Check weekly menu (no new foods). Poopers look good. Plays more in morning then evening sometimes. Loves digging in water dishes and attention from us. Penelope: 1 lb 7.4 oz. Check weekly menu (no new foods). Poopers look good. Plays more in morning then evening sometimes. Lots of energy. Doesn’t know how to walk, just runs like crazy. Lulu: 1 lb 9 oz. Check weekly menu (no new foods), soups for med time at 2:30 pm and 10:30 pm. Poopers look good. Plays more in morning then evening sometimes. Plays alone sometimes and stays busy. Emmett: 2 lbs 11.8 oz. Check weekly menu (no new foods) Like to take food away from others. Poopers look good. Plays more in morning then evening sometimes. Big helper. Coco: 2 lbs 4.5 oz. Check weekly menu (no new foods). Poopers look good. Plays more in morning then evening sometimes. Learning to explore and climb a little . Mikah: 1 lb 7.2 oz. Check weekly menu (no new foods). Poopers look good. Plays more in morning then evening sometimes. Stays busy and curious with new stuff. Our Menu from May 11.
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Post by goingpostal on May 19, 2014 13:28:45 GMT -5
So for the grinds you will just want to count as bone in (they are bone in correct?) days and then you would cut down the amount of heart/organ they get the rest of the week, instead of 1.5 meals worth, just do one meal of heart, one meal of organ.
When you offer eggs are you leaving them just as is? Usually if you scramble them up well and add a little salmon oil more ferrets will try them, also letting it sit and warm up to room temp before offering.
Looks like we probably should go back and focus on getting them to eat some bigger game hen pieces and bigger hunks of wings before trying legs again. How small did you have to cut the game hen to get them to eat it?
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2014 13:17:18 GMT -5
Sounds good with the grinds. They will be happy with just the 1 meal of organs. None of them really like beef liver, chicken liver is okay. I usually mix the liver with a testicle so they eat.
The quail eggs are at room temp and scrabbled (raw). Penelope and Mikah just need to learn it's good. They will get there. They are both licking off the spoon.
I figured the thigh would be to big for group 1. Group 2 is pretty goo if I make slits in the meat. Then they have something to start with. They all chew on the meat that way. I didn't smash any of the bones.
The CGH I figured half for each group. The breast in 3rds and the thigh and legs apart, also did the slit thing in the meat. I didn't smash any bones with that either. Will start to do that. Weds they will get CGH and we'll see how it goes if I smash some of it up.
I need to get them eating more other bone besides wing tips. I'm runng out of them.Thinking I will try chicken backs/ribs. I guess if all else fails the grinds and egg shell will work as a temporary thing. I also still have some bone meal.
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Post by goingpostal on May 20, 2014 20:22:58 GMT -5
Well with any luck we can work them from wing tips to the rest of the wing and that will build some jaw strength. Just takes time and sometimes waiting them out, can't tell you how many times I've thought mine were never going to touch something because they've ignored it for almost an entire day, come back a few hours later and they've demolished it. We'll see how it goes with the game hen.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2014 9:37:15 GMT -5
They did pretty good with the CGH this morning. I smashed some of the bones and that helped. This is how I cut it up for them today. When I left the chicken legs in Emmett, Coco and Mikah's cage on Sunday I forgot to take it out and when we came back from the dog park one was completely gone. I think Emmett did that. He is good at the bones. I guess till they feel they are ready to tackle the big stuff I will help them along. I should know this...it took Lulu forever to chew bones.
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Post by goingpostal on May 21, 2014 19:43:32 GMT -5
Those are perfect sized chunks, let me know how it goes with them, see what they try!
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2014 17:07:06 GMT -5
The kids did real good with the CGH. I smashed some of the harder bones for them. They seemed a lot less intimidated with the smashed legs and thigh bones and the smaller pieces.
Penelope did real good too eating the quail egg. Lulu ate on her own, but Mikah, well she will get the hang of it.
Tonight they are having mutton grind. That is the first time they are having grind so we will see how that goes.
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Post by goingpostal on May 22, 2014 21:30:13 GMT -5
That is great and as time goes on you can smash less or just smash certain chunks and not others. Let me know how mutton goes, don't think I have bought it before. I know I've gotten goat and llama but not sure about sheep. Says it's really fatty so might be a popular one.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2014 17:24:09 GMT -5
They did better with the mutton grind the 2nd time they got it. I added a bunch of water and they all had to sit on my lap and I had to use a spoon before would eat it. That took a while I think they are just not used to eating grinds. Coco liked it the least, but he is a big baby.It does have a lot of fat in it to. I have pork and quail grind to so they might like them flavors better. They love quail that might help.
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Post by goingpostal on May 25, 2014 20:16:13 GMT -5
Sounds pretty normal, new flavor, the more they try it the better they should eat it, sounds like they are doing good with it! I would also bet quail would go over easy since they already eat it.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2014 17:47:52 GMT -5
They had the pork grind this morning and that went pretty good. They just need to get used to it. I wanted to get pictures of all of them, but Miss Mikah and Emmett would cooperate. Lulu Miko Penelope Coco Holy smokes I just looked at the pictures of these kids from we started. I didn't think they had much of a change, but they sure do. They look sooo much better. I can't believe it.
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Post by goingpostal on May 27, 2014 21:03:18 GMT -5
It's why I recommend people take a lot of pics! Can be a great way to tell changes over time because we just don't notice slow improvements as much. How comfortable with raw are you now and how do you feel they are adjusting? I'd like to start working towards graduating you, since they are eating bone and variety pretty well, you'll get some test questions to make sure you've got it covered and we'll have to make a sample final menu.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2014 9:14:44 GMT -5
OH GOD A TEST!!! I am comfortable and I think they are doing great. I can always go back on here to look if I hit a bump about something or ask on FB. I know there are many people waiting to get a mentor. When you say a final menu can I use one of the old ones or make a new one? I am going to keep doing the weekly menu thing for a reference for myself.
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Post by goingpostal on May 29, 2014 17:09:02 GMT -5
For the menu it's basically just a sample one to show you understand how many meals of bone in, organ, boneless and with the proteins you will be offering, so it doesn't have to be what they are eating this week or next but just kind of an ideal weekly menu. It is a good thing to continue just so you know you are offering enough variety and making sure they get their crucial items. And yes absolutely stick around and ask any questions you need and help others around here, we hate when people drop off and disappear after switching.
The test isn't so bad, just making sure you understand basics. We'll start now!
How can you tell if a ferret is overweight, underweight or at a healthy weight?
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2014 22:15:07 GMT -5
Underweight: You can feel the spine and ribs easily. The tummy area would be sunk in. The body size would not fit with the head size. They would probably be on the lethargic side due to lack of proper nutrition and when given food or water, they would gorge themselves.
Healthy weight Good body shape. Sleek & lean looking. No bulgy belly. Head and body fit each other.
Over weight Round belly, may drag on floor. Can have issues with their spine, legs and possibly hips due to the extra weight. Could be lethargic because of the extra weight they would tire easier. Possibly end up with heart and breathing issues cause their organs may be pushed together.
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