More Questions Before The Wee-One Comes Home

[Deleted]

So, first I want to say thank you everyone for responding to my post in the guest threads. It's given me a lot more information to work with, which I am SO grateful for!

Now, on to my newest question(s)!

1) What proteins have you noticed that your ferrets prefer? (ie; mice, rats, rabbits, chicks, etc) I was planning to do mice, rats, and chicks mainly, but I've seen a lot of posts mentioning rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, etc. I know they need a minimum of 3 different proteins, but is there a specific benefit to having MORE than 3?

2) For rats, what age rat are you feeding? Weight wise, it looks like it would be anywhere from Pup to Small Rat depending on how many ounces I was feeding and how many times a day I was feeding (or if I was just leaving a rat through the day). Same question also applies to Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ducks, etc anything else that you feed your ferrets.

3) Follow up Question(s) for Question 2...How many times a day are you feeding with Whole Prey? Is it once and leave the prey in the cage for them to munch on? Do you feed every few hours? Does your feeding schedule affect the size prey you get? Do your ferrets have feeding schedules they prefer (or different schedules for different ferrets)?

4) For those of you with multiple ferrets, how do you handle feedings so there isn't fighting? Or do they not fight over their food? I'm only adopting one ferret, but it's very likely that I will be looking into getting him a friend so that if I'm at work, he doesn't feel too alone. (Plus, more ferrets means more fuzzies which equals more happiness and fun!)

5) I will be attempting to switch the little guy over from kibble to Whole Prey (yes, I have a lot of work ahead of me, but it will be worth it if it helps him in the long run!). Now, I have read that the best way to start is to get him onto Raw/Frankenprey at first with the help of the "Soupie." I'm curious how to then introduce the Whole Prey. Do you chop it up and add it to the Frankenprey/Soupie/etc or do you just offer the whole thing?

Okay, I think that's a good starting place for the questions. Or rather, a good continuation from my Guest thread...

Thank you all in advance for all of your help and advice. I'm looking forward to being able to apply for the Mentor Program, so hopefully I'll be able to make it to 15 posts before I go to pick up the little guy!

[Heather]

1. Preferred proteins....my guys love their rabbit, quail, chicken, rats, ASF's and mice as far as whole prey. They love chicks but they're treats, they're not a meal and are not to be considered one of your 3 proteins sources.
2. A variety of ages can be fed when feeding whole prey but adult is the most preferred. This is the most nutritious and offers your ferret the best and most balanced nutritional value
3. I feed my rescues 3 times a day. My own ferrets get fed once a day. I will feed enough prey or frankenprey to hold them for the day. Prey can be left the longest time without going off.
4. Good food is worth fighting for lol. Some food is willing shared. Whole prey is the most likely to be fought over. They enjoy it. You just have to make sure that there's enough to go around for everyone. From there, they will settle who gets all the heads
5. How this happens ....depends entirely on the ferret. Sometimes you can make a game out of the prey (tie a string onto it and make it a toy) and they'll go for it. Some got to it without a thought...others it's a battle.
Hope this helps a bit
ciao

[Deleted]

Thank you so much! =] I appreciate your answers!

[Deleted]

Since I don't feed Whole Prey, I'll answer question 4.

I have five free roam ferrets. There is never any fighting over food. Once in awhile, Juliet will take something out of Roamy's mouth. They are a bonded pair and he allows it, and then looks sad. I always make sure that he gets another piece right away.

Mine rarely eat at the same time. As I said, we are free roam and food is always out. Roamy eats first, while the others are playing. Then Juliet eats. Mika tends to like to eat at night alone. Wynstan is always wandering by and eating here and there. He and Juliet are bigtime stashers.
My new girl Keller eats well, but is always cautious that no one else is around.
I pay close attention to make sure that everyone gets the necessary organs and eats enough on the Frankenprey menu.

Your little fellow will be much happier with a friend. It's also easier on you. You don't have to worry about him being alone and bored while you are away. Ferrets are super smart and need enrichment and stimulation. A friend and as little cage time as possible and you will have a very happy healthy little one.

One note about Whole Prey. Rats should not be fed live. katt will confirm this. She feeds whole prey and has often mentioned this. Rats are tough and can hurt a ferret or a snake (she has snakes).

[Deleted]

Thank.you! I'm glad it sounds like there wouldn't be fighting. I love the idea of getting multiple ferrets so hopefully it'll work out that way!

I don't plan to feed live. I don't even feed my snakes live. Mice and rats are perfectly capable of fighting back and eating the snake (there are some really graphic pictures on most snake forums). I believe in frozen all the way!

Which reminds me...for snakes, frozen prey Needs to be warmed up so it's actually warm. For a ferret is t.just thawing it out to room temperature or also heating it? Or leaving it frozen?

[Heather]

Again totally dependent on the ferret. I've got some that like having ratcicles....I've got some that will only eat warm.....not a good answer I know but ferrets are all about the individual. I can tell you one thing and "your" ferret either won't do it or will eventually do it....but it really is about the ferret. That's one of the things people both love and hate about ferrets.
ciao

[Deleted]

No no, it's a great answer. Just means I'll go through trial and error to see what the munchkin likes!

[katt]

Nov 22, 2014 16:12:07 GMT -5 @freyjasdiciple said:

Thank.you! I'm glad it sounds like there wouldn't be fighting. I love the idea of getting multiple ferrets so hopefully it'll work out that way!

I don't plan to feed live. I don't even feed my snakes live. Mice and rats are perfectly capable of fighting back and eating the snake (there are some really graphic pictures on most snake forums). I believe in frozen all the way!

Which reminds me...for snakes, frozen prey Needs to be warmed up so it's actually warm. For a ferret is t.just thawing it out to room temperature or also heating it? Or leaving it frozen?

(dance) I agree 110%! I feed my ferrets live mice, but I am in staunch opposition to feeding snakes any form of live prey except in the rare case of a snake that won't eat f/t in such case there are plenty of methods one can use to switch them over with enough determination. Just like ferrets and switching from kibble to raw.

My boys love their micicles! Rats they usually get warm because they only get them if Shiiva (snake) wasn't hungry. It's good to switch it up for them - offering food in different "formats" keeps it exciting and is good enrichment for them.

[Deleted]

Awesome! I'll definitely keep that in mind. I want as much enrichment for my little one as possible. Thank you so much =) and yes, snakes don't need to be fed live. I keep ball pythons and they are just too shy to feed live.

[Deleted]

Def get him/her a friend ASAP. When you go to pick out your ferrets I would find out which 2 have an extra special bond and go with em. Esp if they go to like pick me! It is so worth it for them and for you. They feel fulfilled and you will laugh at least twice a day. It is just so amazing the bond and love they have for each other and not to mention YOU!

[Deleted]

Well I can't pick them at the same time because I'm adopting the little one from an owner who can't care for him anymore. But if I get a friend for him, he'll be coming with me to help "choose" or rather "approve of" his new friend. =)