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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2015 19:50:26 GMT -5
I forgot the weekly weigh-in!
11/9/15 Simon 2 lb 9.0 oz, River 1 lb 10.4 oz
11/16/15 Simon 2 lb 6.7 oz, River 1 lb 10.7 oz
River's doing great with bone-in chicken. I used the organ 'soup' and she ate it right up this evening!
They've both eaten bone-in quail this past week too! They've been picky about it before but today it disappeared in no time.
I think this is the first time Simon has lost any weight. He's been very active this week and hasn't had any trouble eating.
Raw really has been fantastic for them.
River's finally gotten over the pork rib end incident and is even more lovey than ever. She sure was mad there for a bit. LOL
QUESTION: Would it be okay to give them pork rib ends later this week? I'm picking some up in a day or two and wanted to be sure. I don't want to undo any progress we've made.
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Post by Desiree on Nov 17, 2015 19:57:24 GMT -5
Yes now that she is on bone in chicken you can give them pork again. She should do fine going back to a normal raw menu now as well.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2015 8:16:07 GMT -5
Weekly weigh-in!
11/16/2015 Simon 2 lb 6.7 oz, River 1 lb 10.7 oz 11/23/2015 Simon 2 lb 9.6 oz, River 1 lb 12.3 oz
We're back to a varied diet. River's busy stashing some pork heart this morning. LOL She went right for the organ 'soup', thanks for that suggestion!
I gave them some pork fat this week, boy did they love that! It's just chunks of raw pork fat I put aside for them when I render our lard.
All in all a pretty boring week. I'm ecstatic to hear them munching away on bone-in meats, that's been so wonderful!
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Post by Desiree on Nov 23, 2015 9:35:52 GMT -5
That's sounds wonderful! I'm so glad they took to bone! What bone in meats are you offering? Quail, chicken and pork rib ends?
How about a pop quiz?!?!
List 2 good sources of taurine.
What is a healthy diet item that can be used for hairballs, and how often should it be given?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2015 10:04:22 GMT -5
For bone-in meats I've been giving them lamb (they don't care for that at all), chicken, pork, quail (they're still getting used to that one) and squirrel (still not fond of it but I keep trying).
Hearts are a good source of taurine (they get pork, chicken, quail, squirrel and turkey heart), as well as turkey legs.
I had to look in the forums for the hairball info and found that raw egg is good for that. Working from memory I think they can have one raw egg a week.
Speaking of egg, River ate her first one the other day! I almost forgot about it. She hasn't been interested in all this time and just finally started chowing down a couple days ago. Yay!
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Post by Desiree on Nov 26, 2015 20:12:20 GMT -5
Beef tongue is also another great source of taurine.
The egg is correct. One a week during normal times, up to two a week per ferret when shedding!
And yay River!
How are you feeling on everything? Do you have any burning questions?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2015 17:20:03 GMT -5
Have you had much luck with yours eating beef tongue? I'll definitely check with our farm about that! I'm feeling pretty good on everything. I just need to keep plugging away at the variety and bone-in meats for them. They're still not too keen on anything other than turkey, quail, chicken and pork but they're getting better, it just takes time. No real burning questions. Working on some new enrichment ideas for next week, so I'm looking into that on the forums right now. They have a ton of stuff and I'm always rotating toys/activities and placement of stuff around the house but you know, they're like kids and it always feels like you can do more.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 9:07:28 GMT -5
Weekly weigh in: 11/23/15 River 1 lb 12.3 oz, Simon 2 lb 9.6 oz 11/30/15 River 1 lb 12.9 oz, Simon 2 lb 9.1 oz Nothing too special to report this week. Everyone's been great and chowing down on almost everything. Still not fond of lamb, but boy did they really tear into the squirrel yesterday. I think that's the most enthusiastic I've seen them about squirrel. I love seeing Simon so active! When we got him he was so sluggish and his coat didn't look that great. He's like a whole new ferret now. I doubt he'll ever be as active as River, but he does his best to keep up. I sure hope you had a great Thanksgiving, Desiree, and I appreciate all your help.
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Post by Desiree on Dec 1, 2015 19:01:26 GMT -5
Everything looks great! I think you are ready to take the final step and graduate! (dance) You have been a wonderful mentee and ferrent and River and Simon are so lucky to have you. If you feel confident and are ready, I will post a final exam (based on the quiz, you'll do wonderfully) and you can post a menu in the weekly format of what Simon and River are eating. Even if the menu doesn't fully incorporate all the proteins you will feed, you can list those at the bottom of the menu to show that you have more options.
I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful as well!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 10:05:36 GMT -5
Wahooooo! Thanks!
Here's the menu:
Monday am: bone-in quail Monday pm: ground or chunk beef
Tuesday am: bone-in chicken Tuesday pm: chicken liver, spleen and lung
Wednesday am: pork rib ends Wednesday pm: turkey neck and meat (breast or leg)
Thursday am: bone-in chicken Thursday pm: pork heart
Friday am: bone-in squirrel, duck/chicken/quail egg Friday pm: ground turkey
Saturday am: pork rib ends Saturday pm: bone-in chicken
Sunday am: bone-in quail Sunday pm: chicken heart, squirrel lungs, spleen, liver
For the bone-in quail, chicken and squirrel I use the whole animal so they end up getting a variety of pieces. I also keep the organs from all three so they get a variety. When given the backs of these animals the kidneys are usually included, always hard for me to separate those cleanly.
Other types of proteins: lamb (bone-in, usually has a good bit of meat on them) beef liver pork kidney and liver turkey heart chicken gizzard
Future plans: I have plans in the works to get some duck and rabbit. I'll be trying beef tongue since I found it at the local store. So far no source for brains. Our pork farm said they can't do anything with the head, something about their USDA inspection. So, I'll be saving chicken, quail and squirrel brains and will ask our beef farm about them.
Hope that looks good and can't wait to see what's on the exam! LOL
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Post by Desiree on Dec 3, 2015 1:25:01 GMT -5
Looks good. I'll pass the menu onto Heather and she approves the final menus.
Does freezing degrade taurine?
In an emergency (you run out of bone), what are 2 acceptable bone substitutes and how much should your ferrets get? (be speficic)
About how long is a ferret's digestion time?
How long does each type of meat generally stay good: raw soup, ground meat, med-large chunks, bone-in meats, whole prey?
What counts as a "different protein source?"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2015 16:49:40 GMT -5
Does freezing degrade taurine? Nope. Cooking it does...go raw!
In an emergency (you run out of bone), what are 2 acceptable bone substitutes and how much should your ferrets get? (be speficic)
Human grade bone meal and ground egg shell can be used as bone substitutes in an emergency. 1/2 tsp per 8 ounces of meat. You really can't beat actual raw bone though so it's only an emergency measure or for transition or sick ferrets.
About how long is a ferret's digestion time? 3 to 4 hours
How long does each type of meat generally stay good: raw soup, ground meat, med-large chunks, bone-in meats, whole prey? Raw soup 6-8 hours, ground meat 8-12 hours, med/lg chunks 10-24 hours (larger chunks last longer), bone-in meats 12-24 hours (larger lasting longer), whole prey up to 24 hours.
What counts as a "different protein source?" A different protein source would be varied species. Say if you're looking for 5 different protein sources turkey, beef, lamb, quail and chicken would work. Does that make sense?
I hope I did alright! I'm so excited!!!
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Post by Desiree on Dec 6, 2015 13:48:08 GMT -5
100%!! You did great! I'm so exited for you. Just waiting to approve your menu!
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Post by Heather on Dec 6, 2015 14:01:05 GMT -5
Congratulations :elf: You've graduated and you're ready to walk this path alone :christmaspresents: 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 as you're finding out with your own business. I would 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 Sherry will lock down this thread and place it in the archives 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 :goodjob: :wreath:
ciao
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Post by Desiree on Dec 6, 2015 21:50:35 GMT -5
WHOOOOOOHOOOO!!!
You did it! River and Simon are enjoying a brand new life and you gave it to them.
Congratulations!!
:boing: :boing: :boing:
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