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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2014 23:32:56 GMT -5
I'll try that this weekend, not sure hoe to even get them to start eating bone in meats
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 7, 2014 8:53:19 GMT -5
The best thing to try them on is wings (with the wing tip). Cut them up into pieces about the size of your thumb and then whack them a few times with the back of a heavy cleaver or hammer to break up / smash the bones. That will make it easier for them to chew them until they get the hang of it on their own. Quail or Cornish Game Hen are also good for transitioning to bone in meats because the bones are smaller / more ferret sized.
Give them nothing but bone in meats for a few meals in a row, they will get the hang of it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2014 12:43:14 GMT -5
I noticed your from Hamilton, I'm in burlington can I ask just 2 questions..
1. Where do you get your meat?
2.which vet do you use... I had a bad experience when I went to usual vat last time and I'm trying to find a new one
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 7, 2014 16:43:05 GMT -5
lol, really!! You're my first local mentee! Heather Downie is also somewhat local. She is out by Cobourg but comes our way sometimes. If you don't mind driving to Stoney Creak we have a local raw feeder's paradise!! (see below) I actually don't buy at the grocery store much anymore because of Wilma's allergies (they are on a limited diet currently of mice, rats, guinea pigs, antibiotic free pork and rabbit). BTW we also have a small local rabbitry nearby that sells rabbits at half the price of the grocery store. Here are the links: Highland Packers (link) - they have a whole section devoted to raw feeders Auburn Acres Farm / Rabbitry (link) - make sure to call a month in advance to make sure she can accomidate your order. I'm currently ordering 6 lbs a month from her.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2014 18:18:53 GMT -5
Thank you... Oh question though about eating bone is it possible for them not to chew enough and swallow and cause blockages?
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 7, 2014 18:40:30 GMT -5
Possible yes, likely...no. Bone in raw is less likely than kibble to cause choking as it is wet / slimy. Kibble is dry so if they choke on a piece of kibble it is hard for them to cough it up. It is much easier for them to cough up raw. Also to answer your vet question from earlier. Luckily my uncle is a vet so I haven't had much difficulty in that area. He is due to retire soon though so I could have to start looking. I've heard that this place see's ferrets: baycitiesanimalhospital.ca/
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2014 22:03:27 GMT -5
Oh that's pretty close to me too!
Thanks for your help, I'm probably going to go up to that market you told me about tomorrow to check that out
I will be weighing marbles and sully tomorrow morning They haven't been eating much over the past 2 days especially sully not sure what's going on but hopefully it's better tomorrow!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2014 21:43:01 GMT -5
Marbles ate a lot today about 2.5oz and she weighs 1lb 5oz And sully ate about 2 oz and weighs 2lbs1oz
They ate chicken thigh, chicken heart, chicken liver with pork chops pieces
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 11, 2014 14:20:15 GMT -5
Update for the last few days? How are things progressing? Did you make it to Highland Markets on the weekend?
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 11, 2014 14:27:07 GMT -5
Also, have you tried eggs with any of them? Eggs are especially important at this time of year (spring shed) as they help hair pass through their systems. During shedding season they should get eggs a few times a week. www.ferretharmony.net/2013/04/27/hairballs-eat-an-egg/
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2014 15:40:23 GMT -5
I didn't make it there in time I didn't realize they were closed Sunday but for sure will be going this weekend!
Sully seems to be eating fine like normal maybe a little less Marbles does not want to eat in the morning she refuses it, but she eats around 7pm about a full 1.5oz
They both eat egg sometimes I add oil to it if they don't seem interested but they get that once a week usually.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 18:47:33 GMT -5
Alright, I feel as if we are going backwards they now insist on being spoon fed and that hasn't happened I since like 2 months ago
Very frustrating
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 12, 2014 19:12:11 GMT -5
That can happen sometimes. Also keep in mind if they have their seasons correct, the amount they are eating is going to start dropping as they slim down for summer. My Socks has already started eating less. She eats about 3 oz in winter and only a single oz in the summer so it can be a drastic change.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 20:30:02 GMT -5
YeAh I get that... But what do I do with spoon feeding.... I so badly wanted to move past the soup stage... Maybe I pushed to much?
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 12, 2014 20:34:21 GMT -5
Try again tomorrow. That's all you can do. Sometimes it seems like one step forward and two steps back. They also may not have been overly hungry. I'd leave the food with them instead of trying spoon feeding if they have moved past that stage in the past. If they don't eat it, they will be hungrier for the next meal. If they aren't interested in the second meal, try leading them to the plate / bowl with the spoon but get them eating out of it, not the spoon. You just have to have patience.
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