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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2014 20:58:55 GMT -5
I had to hold off on hare today because I realized that I wouldn't have room in my freezer for a large order. I almost bought a new chest freezer, but I'm hoping patience will yield a gently used one for a fraction of the price. Been checking craigslist with no luck. If I can't locate one by next week, I'll invest in a new one. I managed to find lamb and rabbit locally, which has been a nice surprise! I've been feeding that along with turkey, chicken and beef. I really need to show you some before and after pictures, I think they are quite amazing. Poops have been great, I've been adding eggshell powder to everything except bone heavy meals and that seems to be working nicely. My ferret room doesn't have much of an odor anymore - unless I'm just getting used to it.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 6, 2014 23:35:10 GMT -5
Have you had a chance to check weights? Also are they eating hearts/liver? A deep freezer helps sooo much. When you have to order like that it helps on the shipping costs to order in bulk. I think we paid 115 for one at Walmart. Its fairly good sized. I always get my orders in and I sort and bag it by meals for each day, chop up anything that needs chopping and I write on the bag with a marker. That wat I know what it is and when I froze it lol. Then the day before I set the bags in the fridge to thaw and usually set it on the counter a couple of hours before so its not as cold. My kids are not a fan of frozen meat. Spoiled brats I think things are going fabulous so far. They will be so much healthier with a raw diet. They smell less (I personally like their musky smell) and poop less *yay* and I think they are just happier in general!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2014 19:40:09 GMT -5
They are gaining weight each week! And yes, they are eating hearts, liver and kidney. Here are some before and after pictures. The before pics were taken about a week after adopting them and the after pics were taken last night. The battery for my DSLR camera wasn't charged, so I had to use the camera on my phone for the after pics, hence the bad quality. :/ Also, they had their first adult mouse the other night and they devoured it! I didn't have to cut open the belly or anything. I was a very proud ferret mom. Before Stitch: After Stitch: Before Lilo: After Lilo:
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Post by acodlin on Mar 12, 2014 20:17:47 GMT -5
He looks great! Are you planning to go for bigger whole prey?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2014 14:11:43 GMT -5
I have quail on the way, so yes! We'll see how that goes. Both of their poops have been normal for quite some time now, I'm so happy! Thank you for your help and guidance throughout this process, I really appreciate it.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 19, 2014 13:55:35 GMT -5
I think your about ready to graduate unless you think there is something else I can still help you with. Heather would like to see one more final menu to make sure everything is on track.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2014 12:35:35 GMT -5
MONDAY AM: Chicken Wing MONDAY PM: Chicken Thighs TUESDAY AM: Whole Mice (2 per ferret) TUESDAY PM: Ground Whole Rabbit & 1 Raw Egg WEDS AM: Duck Neck WEDS PM: Chicken or Duck Heart THURS AM: Turkey Neck THURS PM: 2 oz. Chicken Liver & 2 oz. Pork Kidney FRIDAY AM: Chicken Wing FRIDAY PM: Chicken Neck SAT AM: Duck Neck SAT PM: Lamb Chunks & ½ meal of organs/heart SUN AM: 2-3 week old Quail Pieces SUN PM: Turkey Neck I switch up the boneless meals with some beef every now and then. Their poops have been fine for weeks now, even with the addition of beef. I also want to try venison which I haven't purchased yet. Both of them appear to need a large quantity of bone-in meals to have normal poops, so I keep the bone content high. I don't think I have anymore questions! You've been extremely helpful and my ferrets say THANK YOU! They look wonderful and have come so far in a relatively short amount of time. The power of a well-balanced diet is quite amazing!
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Post by Heather on Mar 25, 2014 22:10:53 GMT -5
(dance) Congratulations . You've graduated and you're ready to walk this path alone, now (wave) . You have the foundation to help you feed your fuzzes in a more natural and healthy manner. Please remember that your learning never stops, and dietary needs change from ferret to ferret and throughout each their lives. I would also like you to be aware that though you now have the capability and the knowledge to create your little ones diets you are never alone and that your mentor (you need only pm) is always available to you. The list is also a very good resource and you should always be aware that it's available to answer any questions you may have either about diet or care. Good luck, in a few days either Sherry or I will lock down this thread but be aware that you can always look through it as a reference tool but you just will not be able to post to it. Your mentor will be in to congratulate you shortly . ciao
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Post by acodlin on Mar 26, 2014 7:35:34 GMT -5
Yay Congrats!!!
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