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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 14:48:51 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 18:02:43 GMT -5
Ah ok it's to late, she's been treated by the vet with frontline combo, which is licensed to use on ferrets, she's covered in them and I had to seek vet advice as I have other ferrets and a dog to think about as well, she was in my house for a short while so I don't want ticks all over my dog! So I got her treated.
Oscar is getting duck wings/ chicks/ rabbit meat/ turkey necks/ beef chunks , and some left by kits he gets this alongside kibble as its in there for Ollie, Ollie will only eat the duck wings/turkey necks/chicken chunks.
I haven't put a whole rabbit/quail/pigeon in for Oscar as if he doesn't eat it its a huge waste
So with him and Ollie there are getting slightly different meals to the kits at the moment. They still have kibble in there. Oscar does get closer to the kits old menu so mice, hamsters, but I have been told these are more treats and bigger prey is needed to thrive so I'm feeding the 3 above to the kits and so will need Oscar eating these meats too now.
Ollie has met the kits today again but in hallway, he dragged them for a bit, Casper gets out of the drag but chad doesn't, however Ollie did let go after a while and In between dragging them he did play with them, he still drags them on and off but he doesn't hurt them and plays with them as well, so I don't think it will be long before there all in together.
It's really hard with two eating everything, one eating some and one not eating much, this makes it really complicated. What's the best way of trying Oscar/Ollie with the whole prey without wasting a whole one, would it be worth taking a tiny bit of rabbit etc meat off the kits meal each time and putting in for big ones so they get the same each day but not a whole one, they have the kibble in there so they won't lose out on vitamins etc
Still think Ollie will be the one if he ever eats whole prey will avoid all organs though! Lol!
The Jill has kibble in but has had duck wing/ turkey neck ground up / egg/ whole minced beef/ whole lamb minced. These minces were left over from my previous supplier so I'm running out, but I can't feed her a whole rabbit and the kits and Ollie Oscar that's a lot of rabbits a day!
The kits share one at the moment and I am hoping 2 rabbits will do the four ferrets ?
I don't know as they all eat different amounts at the moment lol!
I will try and get a picture of her teeth tomorrow
I'm not sure how or what to feed the Jill as she has kibble so might be part raw for her, I have to think of cost I didn't plan on having a 5th ferrets so I need to figure out how I can work this so all get a good diet but within my limits. She will get raw I just need to work out if I can do it full or part raw, at the moment she gets some alongside kibble.
I don't have a v hob and don't want to do that, it's pretty brutal and she's tiny, she's had enough of being batter by hobs lol. She's so tiny and her neck is red raw as it is. So as soon as she comes in season will get Jill jab, then neutered if and when she's healthier
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 18:07:28 GMT -5
One thing I have been made aware of is that when you cover a tick with soap/Vaseline/ anything along those lines it does drop of after it has vomited all its contents back into the host which is really dangerous. So those methods are not recommended.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 18:20:41 GMT -5
So basically I'm just feeding her whatever at the moment and not sure which way to go with her and diet, maybe do the same take a bit of meat of the quail etc to try her, she does stash her meats in her bed, so it's pretty yuk she doesn't eat it straight away. And also give her duck wings etc so kind of follow the menu but not give her whole prey as such ? The vet said mice, rats are small and feeding them are more treats that they need bigger whole prey. She think she was just fed mice, rats and so just existed rather that thrived.
She has seen the kits and the big ones, they have chatted to her through the wire, but not actually been together, because I don't know how healthy she is and as I have found ticks on her I don't want her near the others lol. I don't think she will ever live with them she's to tiny to be in with 4 young hobs, and I'm sure she's oldish.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2014 18:30:10 GMT -5
As you can see I'm completed lost with what I am doing since the little Jill arrived lol so what should I being doing with Ollie to get him ready to eat all the whole prey the kits are eating ? Oscars no problem I'm pretty confident he will eat it. I'm feeding quail, pigeon and rabbit so these are the things Ollie needs to eat, but I can't waste whole ones on him if he's not going to eat them so I need to come up with a way of trying him him with these meats first help I'm so confused haha!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 10:14:13 GMT -5
Ah ok it's to late, she's been treated by the vet with frontline combo, which is licensed to use on ferrets, she's covered in them and I had to seek vet advice as I have other ferrets and a dog to think about as well, she was in my house for a short while so I don't want ticks all over my dog! So I got her treated.
Oh yeah I understand! I would have gotten her treated right away too! Poor little one. I hope it helps and she gets cleared up and doesn't get your other pets covered too!
Oscar is getting duck wings/ chicks/ rabbit meat/ turkey necks/ beef chunks , and some left by kits he gets this alongside kibble as its in there for Ollie, Ollie will only eat the duck wings/turkey necks/chicken chunks. I haven't put a whole rabbit/quail/pigeon in for Oscar as if he doesn't eat it its a huge waste. So with him and Ollie there are getting slightly different meals to the kits at the moment. They still have kibble in there. Oscar does get closer to the kits old menu so mice, hamsters, but I have been told these are more treats and bigger prey is needed to thrive so I'm feeding the 3 above to the kits and so will need Oscar eating these meats too now.
I agree that the larger pray (rabbits, quails, etc) are likely healthier. From my understanding though with the smaller mice and rats, as long as they are not juvinile they should still have a good size:nutrient benefits. There has been discussion that the pinkies or chicks (anything young) have less calcium, but it has been argued that it is equal. And yes I can see how ONLY feeding mice or rats would not be beneficial, even a wild ferret catches birds, reptiles and bugs. But I don't think they are considered a treat, but a whole pray meal.
Ollie has met the kits today again but in hallway, he dragged them for a bit, Casper gets out of the drag but chad doesn't, however Ollie did let go after a while and In between dragging them he did play with them, he still drags them on and off but he doesn't hurt them and plays with them as well, so I don't think it will be long before there all in together.
Well that is certainly an improvement! That's so funny...
It's really hard with two eating everything, one eating some and one not eating much, this makes it really complicated. What's the best way of trying Oscar/Ollie with the whole prey without wasting a whole one, would it be worth taking a tiny bit of rabbit etc meat off the kits meal each time and putting in for big ones so they get the same each day but not a whole one, they have the kibble in there so they won't lose out on vitamins etc
This is a hard one, my first instinct is to try them like anything and put them in soup and move it up. Sounds like you have been doing this, so you are going the right direction. Is kibble in ALL the time still or are you removing it for part of the day yet? Too bad their wasn't a way to make the kibble LESS appealing... maybe putting some kind of oil on it that he doesn't care for so he either has to eat the oil too or the raw! haha But honestly, just offering it and working with them (like you have been doing) is the best way to get them eating it. You are doing everything right, it is just going to take time. And now that you have so many on different things it is difficult.
Still think Ollie will be the one if he ever eats whole prey will avoid all organs though! Lol!
It would be! But, like we have discussed before, the mince isn't a BAD option (certainly better than kibble) you will just have to give him that extra meal of hearts and watch his teeth.
The Jill has kibble in but has had duck wing/ turkey neck ground up / egg/ whole minced beef/ whole lamb minced. These minces were left over from my previous supplier so I'm running out, but I can't feed her a whole rabbit and the kits and Ollie Oscar that's a lot of rabbits a day!
I am glad that she is being so easy for you! She needs to have a discussion with Ollie and let him know how easy he has it...
The kits share one at the moment and I am hoping 2 rabbits will do the four ferrets ? I don't know as they all eat different amounts at the moment lol!
Depending on the weight of the rabbit, I would think 2 is enough!! The kits are prob eating ~6-8oz each, ollie ~1-2, Oscar ~2-3 a MEAL, so as long are the two rabbits are around 18-21oz (1.5ish lbs) each that should feed them for 24ish hours. That's part of the reason I weigh EVERYTHING. All my pre-made baggies have a weight on it so I can easily put about how much they eat in a given period. And also I know about how much they DIDNT eat. I don't usually weigh that, just kinda guess.
I will try and get a picture of her teeth tomorrow
Yeah, if anything just to get a few more ferants telling your YES this is an older ferret would be comforting.
I'm not sure how or what to feed the Jill as she has kibble so might be part raw for her, I have to think of cost I didn't plan on having a 5th ferrets so I need to figure out how I can work this so all get a good diet but within my limits. She will get raw I just need to work out if I can do it full or part raw, at the moment she gets some alongside kibble.
I know WP is easier to get everything PERFECT, but I wouldn't totally rule out the minces. As long as there is a variety (and I mean that in the different ratios you are getting too) then in the long run they will be getting what they need, even if it takes the whole month to even out. Again, it is FAR better than a kibble diet.
I don't have a v hob and don't want to do that, it's pretty brutal and she's tiny, she's had enough of being batter by hobs lol. She's so tiny and her neck is red raw as it is. So as soon as she comes in season will get Jill jab, then neutered if and when she's healthier
Yeah, I honestly have no idea about it, I just remember reading it was an option for taking a girl out of season. And I think Ollie and Oscar are considered V-hobs... isn't it a hob that has had a vasectomy?? Again, I could be wrong!!! Heather was saying that it would still need to be at a certain time and other things too. I just thought maybe it was a better option than surgery or more hormones. But a jill jab sounds like a good option. She also said that they can come into heat about a month after a litter, unless it's a lost litter then it could be as little as 2 weeks. But she also said it was late in the breeding season, so she may not come in again this year at all. Also, the Des implant will keep her out for a whole year... That may be what the jill jab is, I really have NO idea about unaltered ferrets!
One thing I have been made aware of is that when you cover a tick with soap/Vaseline/ anything along those lines it does drop of after it has vomited all its contents back into the host which is really dangerous. So those methods are not recommended.
Ewww Didn't know that either! Yuck! I had never tried those techniques, I just read about them, but that is good to know. Luckily we don't get ticks too bad in our area, but I will remember that if I do.
She has seen the kits and the big ones, they have chatted to her through the wire, but not actually been together, because I don't know how healthy she is and as I have found ticks on her I don't want her near the others lol. I don't think she will ever live with them she's to tiny to be in with 4 young hobs, and I'm sure she's oldish.
I agree that a quarantine period is a good idea, not only for your boys health, but hers too! She needs time to get her strength up. I am very interested to see what her age might be. It would just be so sad if she is older because that would likely mean she has had many litters. Maybe she is just re-aged from a couple litters and not a good diet. Kids will do that to you, you know. haha
As you can see I'm completed lost with what I am doing since the little Jill arrived lol so what should I being doing with Ollie to get him ready to eat all the whole prey the kits are eating ? Oscars no problem I'm pretty confident he will eat it. I'm feeding quail, pigeon and rabbit so these are the things Ollie needs to eat, but I can't waste whole ones on him if he's not going to eat them so I need to come up with a way of trying him him with these meats first help I'm so confused haha!
Oh your doing fine!! I think with Ollie it is just getting him to the no kibble or at least less kibble phase again. You are doing everything correct in putting mice and what not in something he likes, like the soup. You just need to find one of those things and stick with it for a while to slowly increase the what he likes:what he doesn't. AKA soup:mice, until he is eating mice by themselves. It is just more difficult because there is still the kibble factor and he may not want to eat the soup/mice some days simply because he is full on kibble at the moment.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 12:19:42 GMT -5
Yes kibble is in there all the time at the moment, I have been held back from starting to remove it at night since this Jill arrived as my time as been spent sorting her out, re cage, vets etc.
Things are a little less hectic now and I have got her almost sorted so have some time to get back on tract with Ollie.
what I will do is remove kibble again at nights and give them some of what the kits get, so rabbit, quail, pigeon, I will give them a small amount but enough to see them through the night of the kits rabbit each time to start with and see which if any gets eaten, then go from there, basically when they all are living together I want to just be able to throw a a couple of rabbits etc and follow one menu so they all eat it so all have the same diet. So I need to work on the older ones eating these three things as of now as this is what I'm feeding kits, the kits to get mice ect but there main diet is the bigger prey, the reason for this also is that they finish a whole quail in a day, so I would need to feed them at least 4 -5 mice each and even after this amount they were absolutely starving hungry in the AM. Where as after the bigger prey there still hungry for there AM meal but not crazy starving lol!
Oscar has already eaten rabbit meat, he's brilliant, I just gave him some and he's never had it before like this as it was a small amount of the kits rabbit, he just eats it, so I'm really pleased with him. I will keep giving Ollie rabbit meat in the soup and add oil as he loves the oil. I'm not going to worry about mice for him at this stage, as I need him eating the bigger prey as this is the main diet, I can do mice later.
Then next will be quail and pigeon, then working on small prey like mice etc. Ollie will eat a chick!
I don't really want to be feeding differnt things when there all together as the kits will only eat Ollie's lol! The minces from the new supplier I have recently found out contain heart and liver not a third organ and sherry said if this was the case then the liver would be to high as its 60/20/20 so really the minces are out, I may order some from the old supplier if really need to as I need duck wings from them anyway so guess it will be worth the postage
Ollie and Oscar aren't V hobs, they have been casterated not snipped lol! So they won't do anything with her lol!
I have cleaned her ears out today they were filthy, she looks so much better she now has pink ears rather than yello, brown lol.
Her coat is silver and a yellow, I'm not sure she should be yellow and wondered if this could be urine stained ?
The ticks seem to have gone!! Tomorrow I will bather her as she stinks but wanted her to settle and give treatment time to get into to her.
Right I'm going to attempt to get a pic of Jill teeth, I haven't got a name yet, I really liked your suggestion of Hope, but my mums ferret is called hope, she was found by by mum as a kit dumped so she took her on.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 12:32:57 GMT -5
It really needs two people, this is the best I can get with one hand, if you hold her to long she bites otherwise she's really friendly. I will try and get a better picture when I mum comes as she ban hold her while I take pic. Her back teeth are slightly yellow
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 14:10:50 GMT -5
Ollie ate rabbit meat/bone and wait for it ................LIVER!! (dance) (dance) (dance) (dance) (dance), he really, really enjoyed it, he snatched it from me!! Whooooohoooo! Lol!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 15:13:14 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 15:22:33 GMT -5
I have just put more in for there PM meal, I put Oscars in the stash box and Ollie's on a separate plate, he ate loads! Cheeky Oscar came out and took a bit of Ollie's and put on his own plate hahaha!
Ollie ate the whole bowl! I will feed some more in the AM as I cut the rabbit into 3 to last 3 meals as there Hugh. What I wanted to ask is as this rabbit only contains the liver and kidney can I put a chicken heart inside it lol! ? Then it will almost be whole prey as they don't tend to eat the head anyway.
I don't think I can get rabbit hearts.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 18:54:32 GMT -5
Ollie has just spent 10 mins in the stash box eating oscars rabbit!! He's really shocked me! I'm so pleased! All I need now is for him to eat quail/pigeon and then he's all most eating the same as kits menu
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 5:54:02 GMT -5
Ollie and the Jill finished off the rabbit this morning
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 15:43:57 GMT -5
Ollie ate a little piece of pigeon today, he's not as keen as he is with the rabbit but at least he tried some. I posted on the holistic Facebook page asking about Ollie re dragging kit, and one person decided to lecture me on how old kits should be before they leave mum, saying 8 weeks is far to young. In the uk this is the age they tend to leave mum and all mine have been just fine. Ollie is still dragging one of the kits and he kind of shakes him, he's almost given up doing it to the other one as that one gets out of the drag and stands up a little more. It's chad he is persistent with as chad is more laid back than Casper. So I'm going to wait until the kits are a little older Oscar ate loads of pigeon. The Jill has too
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 17:56:01 GMT -5
AHHHH I just wanted to pop in and say GOOOOOOOO Ollie and lil Jill!!! YAYYYYYYY I will sit down and actually reply to your questions tonight, work has been super busy and I haven't had a spare minute to check my forum! Boooooo
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