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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2015 8:04:16 GMT -5
Hi! Sorry to hear about your laptop. ;A; Posting in small chunks is fine, especially if you want to avoid losing information. I've done that so many times using mobile. I actually downloaded Evernote(has an autosave feature) when I must use my mobile to type in long messages, then I just copy and paste. hehe. I can understand how you're concerned about Bonbon eating less at the current moment. I think his weights sound quite good and as long as it stays in the same range then there shouldn't be any issue. Feeding both Benji and Bonbon seperate for now sounds like a good idea. Try weighing out the food before giving it to him and then weighing the left overs (if any) before the next meal. That should help to work out how much he's eating. Some people keep a ferret log to keep track on these things, you can do that too if you would like. I do keep one myself, however, I only use it to monitor weights since I already have an idea on how much my guys eat per day. Also keep in mind that there will probably be days where ferrets will eat a lot less than usual. Sometimes weather can play a role in it (e.g. hot weather may cause less eating) Especially if its hot or humid weather. Other reasons can be boredom of a certain protein which sometimes happens if they have the same type of protein frequently. Sometimes there will even just be days where they feel like eating less. Chicken and CGH are the same protein, so if you notice Bonbon is eating less due to the protein, maybe you can switch proteins from another meal from the week (such as pork). It's also not unusual for ferrets to cut down on how much they eat as they progress through the switch. Some ferrets eat more in general and can eat 8oz or over per day, some will eat less and eat around 3oz or under a day. Sometimes they may even eat more some days and less other days. Usually its the girls who scare us with how little they eat, but It definitely isn't rare for males. The water technique is a good one. Another would be to blend a little bit of the meat and pour it over the top of some chunks. I tend to do this for hot weather days. I didn't even know there was a new star wars movie until literally yesterday ahaha! Back to Bonbon, I don't think it's anything to worry over since he is still eating and still quite playful when he's out. That shows that he's eating what he needs for his energy. Sometimes the weights can change, especially if you weigh when he has a stomach full or a stomach empty. I tend to weigh my guys in the morning before their first meal of the day. I'm off to sleep now since its now 12AM where I am. I'll check in again tomorrow night. Big hugs to the two cuties!
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Bonbon
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 194
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Post by Bonbon on Dec 24, 2015 0:13:23 GMT -5
I know my menu is super late. Sorry I've been very busy with the holiday season but we have a lot of new proteins this week for the boys. I purposely went out on a protein shopping spree for bonbon. I believe he is bored with the protiens. Anyways....this week and next week they will have a whole rabbit, lamb, beef liver and turkey thighs on the menu.
Menu as of today. Wed: Am BI CGH Pm BI turkey Thurs: AM BI Chicken PM rabbit Fri: AM wild boar PM beef liver + other organ Sat: AM BI rabbit PM lamb Sun: AM BI CGH PM heart/organ meal Mon: Am BI turkey PM chick bnls Tues: AM BI lamb PM BI rabbit Wed: AM bnls CGH afternoon egg PM heart Thurs: AM BI rabbit PM BI turkey Fri: AM BI chick PM bnls lamb Sat: AM bnls rabbit PM beef liver/other organ. Sun: AM BI lamb PM BI pork Mon: AM rabbit PM BI turkey Tues: AM bnls chick PM BI CGH I'm giving you a longer menu this week because I will be out of town for new years eve and this is the menu I am leaving my brother to feed the ferrets. He will follow it to a T! As I will be preparing all of the bags prior and weighing them out. He will literally have you put the meat in a bowl for them. Lol This takes you up to the day that I will return. My aunts getting married out of town on new years day, so we will have to spend a few days away... I will weigh them both on sunday of this week and when we return home on Wednesday the 5th.
Today Bonbon ate all of his dinner for sure as I watched him eat 2 oz and then I hand fed him the last 1 oz. He will grow bored of eating from his bowl but he will gnaw on the stuff if I hold it or hand it to him. So I'm convinced my boys both need feeding dens. I plan to use shower hangers to hang meat from the top and sides of the feeding den. So do you think they should be large enough to fit the entire ferret inside of it or just their heads??? Also do you have any questions for me? MERRY CHRISTMAS :christmastree: (dance) and Happy New Year! Love Bonbon, Benji and I.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2015 14:43:25 GMT -5
I know my menu is super late. Sorry I've been very busy with the holiday season but we have a lot of new proteins this week for the boys. I purposely went out on a protein shopping spree for bonbon. I believe he is bored with the protiens. Anyways....this week and next week they will have a whole rabbit, lamb, beef liver and turkey thighs on the menu.It's no problem, The end of the year can get pretty busy. I hope you're having a great holiday with the boys~ Great job with grabbing some new proteins. Bonbon and Benji will love these new proteins. Have you started to notice if Bonbon or Benji are favouriting any proteins? Yuki loves his duck, Beavis loves his turkey and little Haru loves her lamb. hehe. It's quite fun to see them enjoy a certain protein. They tend to eat a lot more of it compared to other proteins. Your two week menu looks fantastic. :thumbsup: You have a great variety happening and I'm happy to see you were able to get some lamb, even beef and rabbit I'm sure Bonbon and Benji will both love these proteins. I'm giving you a longer menu this week because I will be out of town for new years eve and this is the menu I am leaving my brother to feed the ferrets. He will follow it to a T! As I will be preparing all of the bags prior and weighing them out. He will literally have you put the meat in a bowl for them. Lol This takes you up to the day that I will return. My aunts getting married out of town on new years day, so we will have to spend a few days away... I will weigh them both on sunday of this week and when we return home on Wednesday the 5th.
Have fun! I was going to go away for the new year as well but I changed my plans because I'm catching up on some new year cleaning and preparing for new studies. Sounds like you've planned it out quite nicely. I think the whole baggy process makes things so simple and easy for when we need others to mind our babies. Both Bonbon and Benji are eating by themselves so I'm sure that will put you at ease when you go out of town for a bit. While your gone, if your bother has any concerns in regards to the raw feeding he can jump on the forum and post as a guest (so he doesn't need an account. (giggle) ) Wow! Your aunt is getting married on new years? Thats so awesome, Congrats to your Aunt! Anniversaries will be so much fun! We'll pick things back up when you return~ Today Bonbon ate all of his dinner for sure as I watched him eat 2 oz and then I hand fed him the last 1 oz. He will grow bored of eating from his bowl but he will gnaw on the stuff if I hold it or hand it to him. So I'm convinced my boys both need feeding dens. I plan to use shower hangers to hang meat from the top and sides of the feeding den. Yay! Go Bonbon! (dance) I'm sure he would love the feeding den. They're quite easy to make as well, and I love your idea to hook food from the side of the den~(giggle) So do you think they should be large enough to fit the entire ferret inside of it or just their heads???Also do you have any questions for me?Most people make them so the ferret can fit their entire heads in, or even half of their bodies. When I made one, I made it not too large, but large enough so they can get in there. If you want to make it so they can fit their bodies in, thats alright as well. They might end up sleeping in it! haha! I was going to give you some pop quizzes, However you seem to be doing so well and know all of the basics and more. Benji and Bonbon have been progressing so well and I'm super impressed! Your menu is also looking very great, in fact you might be ready to graduate soon. (dance) MERRY CHRISTMAS :christmastree: (dance) and Happy New Year! Love Bonbon, Benji and I. Have a fun christmas and holiday~! When you come back I can't wait to hear how well the boys are doing, especially with their bone in meats. I have a feeling you may be ready to graduate in the new year~ You've done an incredible job with both Bonbon and Benji, big hugs to all of you~
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Bonbon
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 194
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Post by Bonbon on Jan 3, 2016 23:11:20 GMT -5
Ah finally home and I can't tell you how much I missed my boys. My brother did a fantastic job with them. He said their activity levels were hyper and mischievous as always. Benji was eating everything while Bonbon would leave a few pieces but would leave a few pieces here and there. The meals were weighed out to be 3.0 oz each meal on each day so I'm fairly certain by the pictures my brother texted me that Bonbon was eating anywhere from 2.0-2.5 oz per meal, which is a big step up. I think the added proteins into the menu were a good fix.
As for the next thing to tackle is the feeding dens. I do want to work on creating those for them. I will be weighing them tomorrow and posting a new menu for them as well. It's already so late and I'm exhausted from the 6 1/2 hrs car ride back home. All I want are some ferret kisses.
Anyways I saw your ferrets and baby mice pictures all over instagram. I'm very happy for you that the mice business is going good for you. Also happy new year (belated) from us and the boys!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2016 10:01:36 GMT -5
Welcome back and happy new year~ How was your trip? I'm sure your boys missed you while you were away as well! :thumbsup: Thumbs up to your brother for doing a great job at ferret sitting~ Bonbon and Benji even ate incredibly well while you were away, that must have put a lot of ease on you while you were apart from them. Even with Benji eating around 2.0-2.5oz per meal, I think thats a great amount. Now you know if you notice that Bonbon is eating less, all you need to do is rotate proteins~ You can take your time with posting if you would like. I can understand how exhausting it can be after traveling. Have a nice relaxing day with the ferrets, I'm sure they want all of your attention now. hehe! Oh you saw my instagram photos? hehe. I've tried to limit how much I post lately because I tend to spam sometimes. The mice are quite interesting to watch as they take care of their family and grow into adults. I'll probably be taking in some rats soon and starting up a rat colony. *yay~* I hope you have a great start to the new year. Both Benji and Bonbon are definitely doing a great job thanks to your amazing ferrenting. Give yourself a nice reward for all the progress and achievement you've made with them! See you later!
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Bonbon
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 194
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Post by Bonbon on Jan 8, 2016 14:46:59 GMT -5
Hey hun, So I have a quick question I think I may have been feeding the boys wrong when it came to hearts. Do they get 1 heart and 1/2 of a heart. Or 3.0oz of all hearts??
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2016 15:17:47 GMT -5
Hey hun, So I have a quick question I think I may have been feeding the boys wrong when it came to hearts. Do they get 1 heart and 1/2 of a heart. Or 3.0oz of all hearts?? It's 1 meal of hearts per week and then half a meal of hearts with one of the organ meals per week. (So yes, 1 heart meal and 1/2 heart meal) A meal of hearts would be considered the total amount they're eating, so for example a ferret eats 3 ounces per meal, then a full meal of hearts would be considered 3 ounces. And for an example of the half a meal, that 3 ounces would become 1.5 ounces. Make sense?
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Bonbon
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 194
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Post by Bonbon on Jan 8, 2016 15:32:14 GMT -5
Yes it does. So good these 40 lbs of chicken hearts I just got will be fine. I ordered a 5lb bag and the guy ordered me a chase pretty much I have more hearts than I know what to do with or put places.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2016 15:44:51 GMT -5
Chicken hearts are great since they usually weight like 1oz each. The more hearts the better~ It's always good to have some stocked up. It saves stress especially if there's a shortage at the stores--- which happened to me quite recently rofl! What's the current status of Bonbon and Benji? Are they still eating the same sizes when it comes to muscle meat? (large or small chunks? ) how about the bone in meats, are they now taking large pieces?
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Bonbon
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 194
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Post by Bonbon on Jan 8, 2016 19:15:19 GMT -5
Alright luckily my mom and gram came to the rescue and are allowing us to store 10 lbs of chicken hearts on their freezers so they don't go bad. Woo so bayou my family supports or ferrets diets. The boys are eating fantastic anywhere between 3-4 oz each. Today they had lamb in large chunks about the size of a standard ice cube. The boys weights are as followed Benji: 3 lbs 4.8 oz I didn't realize he was that much bigger than Bonbon but it has been awhile since I'd weighed them last. Bonbon: 2 lbs 11.9oz Bonbon was also the runt from the store that we bought him from so that may play a part in it.
Also here's the upcoming weeks menu Sunday: chicken hearts am / rabbit BI pm Monday: BNLS lamb am/ BI CGH Pm Tuesday: BNLS rabbit/ beef liver Wednesday: BI lamb/egg/BNLS chicken Thursday:Rabbit organs/ BNLS lamb Friday: BI CGH / BI rabbit Saturday:chicken hearts&organs/BI lamb
More protein will arrive on Friday.
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Bonbon
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 194
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Post by Bonbon on Jan 8, 2016 19:18:17 GMT -5
As for the bone in meats I have bought hooks to attach large chunks to the side of the cage. Should I still hammer the bone or should I leave it as a solid chunk. I did manage to cut half of the lamb leg bone up when preparing their food today, but I have the hip joint with a large amount of meat on it I thought about putting into the cage for them both to nibble on. The bone marrow is still within the bone so I thought maybe they would chew on it to gain access to that. I also purchased some chicken wings and I have rabbit legs that I can always attach to the meat hooks as well.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2016 21:27:07 GMT -5
Thats so great that your family supports the raw diet. I'm happy to hear that Bonbon and Benji are eating very well. The large chunks are good. Thats the size I prep my muscle meats in. Woah!! Benji has gotten big! He must be the perfect snuggle size. ^^ I think that the younger ones always end up bigger for some reason. My Yuki weighed in alot more than Beavis recently as well. hehe. Have you tried solid chunks of Bone in meats with the boys yet? You should put some out for them and come back later and check on how they're going. If they don't touch it, you may have to crush the bone little more, but if they do touch it then you're good to go. I'm keen to also see how they do with the hooks, that too is worth trying out. Either way, see how they go with the Bone in meats. If they do well with the bone in meats without having to chop them down in size, then you may be good to graduate. For now I might give you a small pop quiz. 1. Are cooked bones safe to feed? (Explain your answer) 2. There is many reasons why it is advised to have a variety of proteins, but what is one reason your ferret(s) would benefit from having a variety of proteins in their diet? You've done an excellent job~ you also show a good understanding of creating a menu and both boys seem to take new proteins fairly easy. I'm incredibly happy for Bonbon and Benji~
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Bonbon
Junior Member
Raw Feeder
Posts: 194
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Post by Bonbon on Jan 8, 2016 21:44:11 GMT -5
pop quiz answers 1. Are cooked bones safe to feed? (Explain your answer) No, cooked bones aren't healthy for ferrets or any pet for that matter because once the bone is cooked they will splinter. This could cause damage to the animals mouths and intestinal track if the bone shards are swallowed. 2. There is many reasons why it is advised to have a variety of proteins, but what is one reason your ferret(s) would benefit from having a variety of proteins in their diet? A variety of proteins is ideal so that your ferret doesn't imprint onto one protein, also different proteins allow them to have options, otherwise one may become bored with a certain protein if fed too frequently. Example Bonbon and chicken. Also there are several proteins which could be potential allergens, like chicken. Cornish Game hen and other poultry are very common allergens and having a variety of proteins available to your ferret is better. Plus you never know if there were to be a shortage of a specific protein there are always options. Benji did get very big and I will still be keeping an eye on Bonbon's weight but he seemed to eat all of his meal today where Benji didn't surprise surprise...But today they had lamb and will be having rabbit after this post. Lamb is still fairly new to them so Benji may not have the liking for it like he does for duck. I havent given the boys whole bones yet but i plan to this week and i will let you know how they like the hooks. also a question for you, if i would want to become a mentor myself how would i go about doing that? like i know you were a mentor in training when i first joined the forums and graduated the program soon after. I was very happy to get you as my mentor.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2016 17:48:58 GMT -5
I lost my reply! I wrote a reply and my browser refreshed.Such bad luck I have this morning. Okay, I'll rewrite it now. You did very good with your quiz answers! :thumbsup: I'll wait and see how you go with the bone in meats then I'll get you that final exam. Before you graduate you I will also need to submit your final menu, so after the exam you can write it up and I'll pass it along to Heather. I was actually asked about becoming a mentor, so I'm not too sure how people become a mentor to be honest. I've let the others know that you're interested though. Hurricanekatt will have the final call since she's the one in charge of the mentoring program. I'm still a mentor in training at the moment, I don't graduate until I have 3 completed switches and a difficult switch completed. ^^
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2016 1:49:22 GMT -5
How are the boys going with the bone in meats?
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