|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2011 13:25:48 GMT -5
By the way, in the last few days I have noticed "Hmm Fenton looks fatter this week, am I imagining things?". Well during the play date with my nephew's ferret last night, he noticed "Wow Fenton is HEAVY!" Fenton and my nephew's ferret are the same age and started out the same size but on the raw diet, Fenton has put on some fat. We held them up next to each other, they are exactly the same length, but if you feel around Fenton's neck it's thicker and chubbier. I hope he's putting on muscle and not just fat But I am glad he's gaining weight on the new diet, this tells me he's eating plenty.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Apr 30, 2011 13:35:04 GMT -5
Hi there. Just did a prowl through your menu and to answer your question...you need more bone in your little ones diet . Yes you can add pumpkin to their regular diet, it doesn't hurt as it takes the place of fur that you don't feed on that day. Your fuzzes are young, you need to add more bone in their diet. Out of 7 days, you should have bone in at least 4. You will get much firmer stools if you do It's ok to have loose stools on one day (the organ day) but you should have consistently firm stools the rest of the time. Do not remove the blood from your little ones diet, they use it. You are very close to completing your journey. Keep up the great work and I will see you when you get your menu updated ciao
|
|
|
Post by katt on Apr 30, 2011 13:45:25 GMT -5
Thanks Heather! The weight gain is probably partly due to diet, and partly kit chub. And yes he will definitely put on muscles on a raw diet!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2011 13:52:13 GMT -5
I noticed the local market has duck feet and head, as well as pig face which appears to have meat, fat, skin, and cartilage. My fuzzes already love eating the bones in chicken feet so I bet duck feet would be a no-brainer. I could incorporate those, to get this:
Third draft: Monday morning - Mousey (whole, jumbo mice) Monday night - Rabbit legs or ribcage (I forget which I have left) Tuesday morning - Chicken hearts Tuesday night - Chicken wings Wednesday morning - Turkey neck Wednesday night - Turkey back and ribs Thursday morning - Duck hearts with chicken feet Thursday night - Pig heart with chicken feet Friday morning - Chicken back & breast Friday night - Pig face Saturday morning - Beef heart with duck feet Saturday night - Beef heart with duck feet Sunday morning - Chicken liver & gizzard Sunday night - Turkey liver & gizzard
What do you think?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2011 13:53:55 GMT -5
I totally stalked your thread and found the videos! Too cool I love the part where you said "Finish him!" when Fiona was killing it. Haha ok sorry to interrupt, I just had to share my approval. Ahh.. kinda embarassed about that! I was quoting the game "Mortal Kombat". I'm a little immature sometimes, I shouldn't make light of the little mouse's death or enjoy it for sport, maybe that's my own hunter instinct showing. I feel better at least when I remind myself that the mousey is fulfilling his role in the food chain though
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2011 14:00:08 GMT -5
Oh I was just wondering another thing: What's the consensus on insects? Do they have any place in the ferret's diet, and is it OK to feed them as an enrichment / entertainment thing?
I bought a dozen crickets for a lizard and I accidentally left them in the ferret room, and while I was in the other room, Fiona heard the noise and tore the bag open, releasing them all!
When I came back she was chasing around furiously hunting them! She ate one while I was watching so I'm sure she ate others before I got there. Hope it's OK!
|
|
|
Post by katt on Apr 30, 2011 14:58:25 GMT -5
Do you have access to any other organs? Like kidney or spleen? Liver should be about 50% of the organ meat, or more *if* you can't find other organs. If you can I'd incorporate some spleen/kidney on another day, maybe along with the hearts+feet (so it is not the full meal), and maybe mix a little in on liver days.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2011 15:38:22 GMT -5
Yeah, I knew you would call me on that hehe... I'm still looking for the other organs, the stores I have checked so far haven't had them. I think I found a ranch market where I can get kidney for sure, and possibly spleen. I will try to go there today.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2011 15:43:14 GMT -5
Oh by the way I just got back from the store and brought duck and chicken hearts, duck feet, duck wings, and pig face.
Gonna check out the ranch market later today.
P.S. - Just watched Kenai hunting crickets. What a cute chubby little guy! I hope Fenton fills out like that hehe...
|
|
|
Post by katt on Apr 30, 2011 17:08:17 GMT -5
Lol yeah Koda and Kenai are like your stereotypical cartoon cops or villains or whatever else. Skinny and smart (Koda) and fat and dopey (Kenai). He isn't too bright but he is a great hunter and a very lovey, floppy guy. Koda on the other hand is Einstein reincarnate. Let me know how the organ search goes. Other than that your menu is looking better.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 1, 2011 12:47:05 GMT -5
Well, the ranch market didn't have kidney or spleen.
I have another idea to try though. There is a local grocery store called "Food City". They cater to mostly Mexican customers, and I know when I lived in Mexico we ate organs, tripe, kidney, etc. They used to fry up pork kidney along with the other organs in a big pot at parties. I bet they will have a better selection of organs there!
By the way, today is "organ day" so I'm feeding livers today. If I can get kidney or spleen today I'll give them that too. Well, I don't know if it's because of the taste or if they are craving the nutrients, but the ferrets went CRAZY for the livers! They really love them.
Last night they got duck wings for the first time, and they loved those too, especially Fenton. I swear Fenton was lying there gnawing on his wing for 30 minutes! It was so cute, he looked like a little puppy dog. I can see they are really having to work to get those bones! How soon do their jaws get stronger?
|
|
|
Post by Heather on May 1, 2011 22:13:15 GMT -5
Just read your most recent addition of your menu. I like it Congratulations. you've graduated and you're ready to walk this path alone, now. 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 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 ;D. ciao
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 12:04:12 GMT -5
Yay! I feel like there is so much work left to do, and so much more to learn, but I'm on my way now! Hurray for healthy ferrets!
|
|
|
Post by katt on May 2, 2011 14:06:09 GMT -5
How soon do their jaws get stronger? Well duck bones are thicker than chicken bones, and some of the bigger ones they won't be able to eat. However, their jaws will be getting stronger and stronger every day. In a few weeks you should see a difference, in a few months you won't even believe they were ever different!
|
|
|
Post by katt on May 2, 2011 14:09:02 GMT -5
Yay! I feel like there is so much work left to do, and so much more to learn, but I'm on my way now! Hurray for healthy ferrets! Sorry for the late replies. Yesterday was graduation and it turned out to be an all day thing. lol Anyways.... CONGRATS!!!! You deserve it! Your fuzz are on a healthy balance diet. Like Heather said, you can always PM me if you have more questions, and you can always make a thread in the forum too people are very helpful here. Fenton and Fiona are adorable and you are an amazing ferrent. Thank you for being my mentee! CONGRATS!!!!
|
|