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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2016 22:45:10 GMT -5
5/20 8:20AM - Fed from bowl (all given 3 TBS pork/chunk mix) H - Ate two chunks, lost interest after C - No interest R - Ate all chunks and .5 TBS soup, lost interest (H came to R's bowl 15 min after and ate .5 TBS) 9:20AM - Fed from bowl C - Ate what was left from R's bowl from earlier (2 TBS only soup), gave 2 TBS w/chunks (lost interest; H came behind and ate all) R - Placed in cage to feed and gave 3 TBS soup/chunk mix (ate 2 bites then fell asleep) 12:30 R - Took 3 TBS of food from earlier feeding and wouldn't eat from bowl (waited 20 min) then hand fed (ate all chunks and 1.5TBS of soup) C - Gave 3 TBS (ate all soup/left chunks); acted hungry after H and R finished with their wings, gave her new wing (ate wing tip) H - Gave wing remaining from yesterday (ate 1/4 of it) then R came in behind and began gnawing on wing while I held it (ate some marrow and little bit of bone) 3:30 - Fed from plate Gave R wing from previous feeding (she gnawed on it for about 20 minutes; ate marrow, bone, and some meat) then after she lost interest I allowed C to come in and eat the wing (she gnawed on it until almost all the meat was completely gone) H - Gave C's wing from previous feeding and he ate almost all meat off of bone, marrow, and a lot of bone (he spent 45 minutes eating) 7:00PM - Fed in cage (thawed whole rabbit) Placed all three in cage (all showed interest and smelled rabbit and gnawed for at least 5 minutes); H and R lost interest after 5 minutes; C continued to eat meat off of both bottom ankle bones and wrist bones for 20 minutes KEPT RIBS (bagged up and placed in fridge) Made soup/chunk mix out of rabbit Still have 12 oz meat left after keeping ribs and making soup/chunk mix Rosita started acting very strange about 45-60 min after gnawing on rabbit (almost acted like she had a hair ball - was coughing and mildly hacking; gave her 2 TBS coconut oil, 1 TBS of egg yolk; she wouldn't eat this at first so hence why we gave coconut oil; had to finger feed her water and placed ice cube in water bowl in cage to coax her to drink water; she fell asleep about an hour ago and is breathing fine and acting ok, will keep an eye on her overnight) If you wouldn't mind taking a look at her bowl movement after the egg yolk (I'm praying she doesn't have a blockage since she went poo; not sure if that excludes that out if they have a bowl movement) 9:30PM - Fed from bowl H - Gave 3 TBS of rabbit soup/chunk mix (ate all of it), then gave 2 TBS more (ate all of that) 10:30 Checked on R and she was sleeping, taking good breaths, and no coughing/hacking
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2016 7:33:35 GMT -5
I will send today's food log later of course, but I wanted to update you on Rosita. She slept through the night without any issues that we saw. She's acting like her normal self this morning. Saw her drink from water bowl a handful of times and is on her second time of eating a chicken wing I gave her originally 45 minutes ago (she ate the wing tip the first go around, but is going to town again on it). Her last bowl movement (didn't take a pic) was solid but still had greenish tint to it (more dark green). Here is a pic of her now eating:
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Post by FireAngel on May 21, 2016 9:54:17 GMT -5
Glad Rosita seems back to normal this am! The poop could have just been because of the protein change.
So one TBS = 0.5oz It looks to me like she is eating enough as far as amounts go. Have you weighed them recently? I would like to make either Saturday or Sundays our weight and body shots day. Sound reasonable? Keeping track of weights helps us know that even if amounts do not seem to be enough that they are still doing well. H could and should be going through a growth spurt. Let him eat as much as he wants for now, he is too young to limit food yet. I would recommend also as many bone in meals as possible for them right now too, they need the extra calcium. Of course keeping an eye on poop and making sure it is not getting too hard also.
Pop quiz time! (giggle) 1.) What is a healthy diet item that can be used for hairballs, and his often should you give it? 2.) Is it better to give your ferrets set meal times, or to leave food out all day for free-feeding access, and why? 3.) (a)Give 2 examples of muscle meat, (b)edible bones, (c)and organs.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 13:36:26 GMT -5
5/21
6:45 AM - Fed from bowl
H - 4 TBS rabbit mix (ate all), gave another 2 TBS (wasn't interested)
C - Gave 2 TBS of rabbit mix (wasn't interested); waited until H was done with his 4 TBS and came behind after giving him the 2 TBS he didn't want and ate his
R - 2 TBS rabbit mix (took two bites and lost interest)
7:00 AM - Fed from plate in feeding cage
R - Chicken wing (ate the tip)
7:30AM - Fed from plate in feeding cage
R - Was trying to get into cage, placed her back in there with wing from earlier and she gnawed on it for another 20 min (ate more bone, some marrow, and little meat)
7:40AM - Fed from bowl
C - 2 TBS rabbit mix
10:15AM - Fed from bowl/plate
H & C - Gave 3 TBS rabbit mix (ate all), gave another TBS (ate all)
R - Gave 3 TBS rabbit mix (ate one bite and lost interest); gave remaining chicken wing
9:00PM - Fed from bowl/plate
R - Gave 1/2 heart / 1/2 liver (diced chunks) - Ate all; gave 1 TBS rabbit mix after (ate .5 TBS)
H - Gave chicken wing (ate almost entire wing)
C - Gave chicken wing (ate half); then went over to R's bowl and ate .5 TBS rabbit mix
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 13:41:51 GMT -5
5/22
3:30AM - Fed from bowl in feeding cage
H & C woke me up, let them out for a bit (kept going to feeding cage trying to get in); both were given 1.5 TBS rabbit mix (ate all)
8:30AM - Fed in feeding cage
R & C - Both given rabbit leg (both ate half of meat, including bone and marrow)
H - Gave chicken wing (ate all of wing tip, marrow, and some meat)
10:30AM - Fed from bowl in feeding cage
H & R - Gave 2TBS chicken mix (ate all); gave another 2 TBS (R ate 1 TBS and H ate his 2 TBS and R's remaining TBS)
11:40 - Fed from bowl in feeding cage
C - Gave 1.5 TBS chicken mix (ate all); gave another TBS (ate all besides 2 chunks of meat)
2:15PM - Fed in cage/bowl
R - Gave 1.5 oz diced chunks of pork chop (ate all but 3 chunks)
3:30PM - Fed in cage/plate
H - Gave rest of wing (ate more marrow, meat, and bone) C - Gave 1.5 oz diced chunk pork (ate 1/2)
4:05PM - Fed in cage C - Ate rest of H's wing
5:00PM - Fed from bowl
H&C - Gave 1 TBS chicken mix (ate all), gave 2 TBS each (ate all besides 3 chunks left by C)
6:45PM - Fed from bowl
R - Gave 2 TBS chicken mix (ate all but 2 chunks)
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2016 13:56:59 GMT -5
Glad Rosita seems back to normal this am! The poop could have just been because of the protein change. So one TBS = 0.5oz It looks to me like she is eating enough as far as amounts go. Have you weighed them recently? I would like to make either Saturday or Sundays our weight and body shots day. Sound reasonable? Keeping track of weights helps us know that even if amounts do not seem to be enough that they are still doing well. H could and should be going through a growth spurt. Let him eat as much as he wants for now, he is too young to limit food yet. I would recommend also as many bone in meals as possible for them right now too, they need the extra calcium. Of course keeping an eye on poop and making sure it is not getting too hard also. Pop quiz time! (giggle) 1.) What is a healthy diet item that can be used for hairballs, and his often should you give it? 2.) Is it better to give your ferrets set meal times, or to leave food out all day for free-feeding access, and why? 3.) (a)Give 2 examples of muscle meat, (b)edible bones, (c)and organs. WEIGHTS (taken @ 10:00AM) H - 2.11 lbs C - 1.61 lbs R - 1.41 lbs (I believe she's lost a little weight, which was anticipated; since placing her in the feeding cage the past two days she has noticeably eaten more and acts more comfortable eating-no more stashing) POP QUIZ ANSWERS 1.) Egg yolk; given once a week or a couple times throughout the week (but only one egg yolk per week per ferret) QUESTION about this answer: I've read in the forum that during shedding season it is safe to give 2 egg yolks a week, is this correct? 2.) Better to give set food times, like once in the morning and once at night (unless kibble fed or with a ferret that has insulinoma); this prevents your ferret from stashing uneaten food in places you aren't able to access (also raw food can only be left out for so long before going bad/unsafe to eat) 3.) a.)chicken and turkey b.)chicken wing and ribs (no large prey like pork or beef; ex:quail or rabbit) c.)liver and pancreas
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Post by FireAngel on May 22, 2016 22:13:31 GMT -5
Pop quiz time! (giggle) 1.) What is a healthy diet item that can be used for hairballs, and his often should you give it? 2.) Is it better to give your ferrets set meal times, or to leave food out all day for free-feeding access, and why? 3.) (a)Give 2 examples of muscle meat, (b)edible bones, (c)and organs. POP QUIZ ANSWERS 1.) Egg yolk; given once a week or a couple times throughout the week (but only one egg yolk per week per ferret) QUESTION about this answer: I've read in the forum that during shedding season it is safe to give 2 egg yolks a week, is this correct? Yes one egg yolk or a whole egg scrambled up per ferret a week and yes during shedding season it is ok to give 2 a week.2.) Better to give set food times, like once in the morning and once at night (unless kibble fed or with a ferret that has insulinoma); this prevents your ferret from stashing uneaten food in places you aren't able to access (also raw food can only be left out for so long before going bad/unsafe to eat) I see where this makes sense but a ferrets digestive tract is only about 4 hours so unless you are able to offer them food every 4 hours (sometimes they would take it and sometimes not) They should have food available to them at anytime. Most people have cages for their ferrets for overnight or times when the are not home, so allowing them free access while caged works just fine. You can leave the food out much longer then most people are aware also. Raw soupie is good for 6-8 hours Muscle meats up to 12 hours Bone In meats up to 24 hours Whole prey is good for 48 hours.
This is somewhat dependent on room temperature also, if it is extremely hot the. It may not last that long and if it is on the cooler side it may last longer. Ferrets in general have better sense of smell and will not eat food if it has gone bad. Trust your nose though and if it smells rancid to you go ahead and toss it.
3.) a.)chicken and turkey b.)chicken wing and ribs (no large prey like pork or beef; ex:quail or rabbit) c.)liver and pancreas Yes, yes and yes! :thumbsup:
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 9:04:18 GMT -5
5/23
3:30AM -
H&R - Gave 2 TBS chicken mix (ate all)
7:20AM - Fed in cage
Gave all 3 a chicken wing each H - Ate 1/2 of wing R - Ate 1/4 C - Ate 1/4
8:20AM - Fed in cage
R&C - Gave c. wings back (Both ate more marrow, meat, and bone)
11:20AM -
H - Gave 3 TBS chicken mix (ate all), gave 1 TBS (ate all), gave 2 TBS (ate 1 TBS)
12:00PM - Fed in cage/bowl
C&R - Gave 3 TBS pork mix (R ate all and .5TBS of C's; C ate 3 bites and lost interest)
1:15PM - Fed in cage/bowl
C - Gave remaining 2.5TBS of earlier pork mix (ate all but 3 chunks)
4:15PM - Fed in cage
C - Spent 20 min. eating c. wing from earlier
4:35PM - Fed in cage/bowl
C - Gave 1 TBS chicken mix (ate all), gave 1 TBS pork mix (ate 1 bite and lost interest)
6:00PM - Fed in cage/bowl
H - Gave 1 TBS pork mix (ate all), gave c. wing from earlier (ate rest of wing)
R - Gave c. wing from earlier (ate for 15 min.), gave 1 TBS pork mix (wasn't interested)
6:45PM - Fed in cage
C - Gave wing (ate for 15 min.), gave 1 TBS pork mix and had no interest)
7:50PM - Fed in cage/bowl
H - Ate R's pork mix from earlier and then began eating C's wing left (ate remaining)
R - Gave 2 TBS pork mix (not interested)
We will be going to butcher tomorrow to pick up bone in veal and lamb (order comes in tomorrow), more chicken wings, and beef protein (we were unable to purchase last trip)
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Post by FireAngel on May 24, 2016 21:57:09 GMT -5
They probably will not be able to digest the bones in the veal or lamb. They are pretty dense, but I can't wait to see how they like them! :banana:
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 8:56:53 GMT -5
5/24
4:00AM - Fed in cage All three given 2 TBS pork mix (ate all)
7:40AM - Fed in cage/bowl H - Gave 1/2 wing left over-large end-(ate all), gave 1 TBS pork mix (ate all)
R - Gave 2 TBS pork mix (ate all)
8:05AM - Fed in cage/bowl C - Given 3 TBS chicken mix (ate all)
9:00AM - Fed in cage R&C - Given 1 TBS chicken mix (ate all)
12:00PM - Fed in cage/bowl H - Gave 1/4 chicken wing I had left (ate all), gave 1 oz beef arm roast (ate all, took two sessions-10 minute break in between)
12:30PM - Fed in cage/bowl R - Gave 1 oz beef arm roast (had no interest), gave 3 TBS chicken mix (ate all)
6:00PM - Fed in cage C - Gave chicken wing (ate tip)
6:15PM - Fed in cage R - Gave chicken wing (ate 1/4)
7:45PM - Fed in cage/bowl H - Gave wing (ate all) C - Gave 2 TBS chicken mix (ate 1/4) R - Gave wing from earlier back (ate some more bone, marrow, and meat)
Heisenberg took to the arm roast like a champ, both Rosita and Charlotte stuck their noses up at it (will try again tomorrow). The veal and lamb can only be ordered with bone in but will make sure it is removed before feeding (thanks for the heads up; I noticed while butchering the lamb how thick the bone was). The veal won't be coming in until next week (issue with shipping).
Question: I noticed how fatty the lamb was. Would this be a muscle meat to limit to once or twice a week (or does it affect each ferret differently as far as digesting the fat). I know fat is required in their diet, but wasn't aware of how fatty lamb is.
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Post by FireAngel on May 25, 2016 12:12:20 GMT -5
Lamb is usually only given once a week anyway to to expense. Lamb is a red meat so can be given once a week in alternation with beef. You can certainly feed it more then once a week, but keep in mind poops will be darker due to the iron content. Ferrets like humans all digest things differently from one another. You can feed the lamb as is and see how they do and if they do not do well with it (poops are yellow and seedy looking or they vomit after) you can always trim it up for the next time.
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2016 22:00:31 GMT -5
5/25
12:30AM - Fed in cage/bowl C - Gave wing from previous day that was left (ate more meat, marrow, and bone) R - Gave 3 TBS chicken mix (ate 1 TBS) H - Gave 3 TBS of chicken mix (no interest)
7:30AM - Cage fed All 3 given new chicken wing (all 3 ate 1/2)
11:00 - Fed in cage/bowl All given 1 egg yolk (all 3 ate all of their yolks)
11:15AM - Fed in cage/bowl C - Gave remaining wing (ate all), gave 2 TBS chicken mix (ate all but 1 chunk) R - Gave 1 oz diced beef (no interest), gave remaining wing (ate 1/2)
3:10PM - Fed in cage/bowl H - Gave remaining wing (ate all), gave C's 1 chicken heart (diced) and 1/4 liver (ate all) C - Gave 1 heart (diced) and 1/4 liver (no interest), gave 2 TBS chicken mix (ate 1 TBS)
3:30PM - Fed in cage C - Gave 1 oz diced lamb (no interest)
3:35PM - Fed in cage/bowl R - Gave C's 1 oz diced lamb (no interest), gave 1 diced chicken heart (ate all), gave 1/4 wing from morning (gnawed on it for 5 minutes)
4:15PM - Fed in cage/bowl Gave all 3 2 TBS chicken mix (ate all)
8:30PM - Fed in cage/bowl Tried reintroducing lamb chunks again to all three (no interest), made soup/chunk mix out of lamb and gave each 1 TBS (still no interest; don't believe lamb is going to work right now)
10:00PM - Fed in cage/bowl R - Gave 1/4 remaining wing (no interest), tried 1 oz diced beef again (no interest), gave 2 TBS chicken mix (ate all) C - Gave R's 1/4 wing (ate all) H - Gave 1 oz beef (ate all)
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2016 22:08:36 GMT -5
5/26
6:00AM - Fed in cage Gave all 3 1 oz diced beef (H ate 2 oz, R ate 1/2 oz, and C had no interest)
7:00AM - Fed in cage C - Gave chicken wing (ate tip)
8:00AM - Fed in cage R - Gave chicken wing (ate little more than tip)
10:30AM - Fed in cage Gave C & R remaining wings and H new chicken wing (C ate 1/2, R ate 1/4, and H ate entire wing)
2:30PM - Fed in cage/bowl Gave remaining wing (ate all), tried reintroducing chicken heart again today (no interest), added 1 TBS pork mix with heart (ate 1/2 TBS)
3:00PM - Fed in cage R - Gave remaining wing (ate 1/4)
3:30PM - Fed in cage/bowl R - Returned to cage and ate remaining wing, gave 2 TBS pork mix (ate 1 TBS)
7:00PM - Fed in cage/bowl H - Gave 2 TBS pork mix (ate all), gave 3 TBS pork mix (ate all)
9:20PM - Fed in cage/bowl C - Hid diced heart in 2 TBS pork mix (tried 2 separate times to coax, no interest) R - Gave 2 TBS pork mix (tried 2 separate times to coax, no interest)
***WILL UPDATE MORE LATER***
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Post by FireAngel on May 27, 2016 19:54:58 GMT -5
Because of the way you feed it is sometimes difficult for me to follow the day and what every one actually ate. I love the details but it would be easier for me to see something like this; 5/22/16 R- ate a total of 6 tbsp today including pork mix and chicken wing. C- ate 8 tbsp including pork mix and chicken wing. H- at 12 tbsp including the pork mix and chicken wing food was offered in their cage every 2-3 hours. I left them in there 20 mins each time. Here is where you can explain any issues each one had that day also.
What is the texture of the mix you are feeding right now? Often times when introducing a new protein you have to be extremely sneaky with it, like 3 slivers in a chunky mix or soup kind of sneaky and slowly increase until the are eating the new thing with no issues. You are doing great!
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2016 22:32:35 GMT -5
5/27
H - Ate a total of 11 TBS of pork mix and chicken wing (He had a total of 5 separate feeding times every 2-5 hours in the feeding cage and it took him 3 out of the 5 feedings to eat his entire wing)
C - Ate 1 TBS pork mix and chicken wing (She had a total of 5 separate feeding times every 1-7 hours in the feeding cage and it took her 4 out of the 5 feeding times to eat her entire chicken wing)
R - Ate 5 TBS of pork mix and chicken wing (She had a total of 3 separate feeding times every 4-8 hours in the feeding cage and she ate her chicken wing in one feeding time)
On average, if they were eating the wing, they would be in the feeding cage anywhere from 25-45 minutes and were in the cage 10-20 minutes when eating the pork mix.
With the soup/chunk mixes I am making, I have gradually reduced the amount of water down in each batch from 10tsp of water to 5tsp or less, so it is much thicker (thick paste) and a little over 1/2 of the protein and 1/2 the organs I am leaving out (dicing) and placing in the soup mix. So it has more diced chunks than soup mix.
And I have beef thawing out to be ready for the girls tomorrow (chicken only for H since he's had more than enough red meat this week) and will start gradually adding small portions to other mixes. Thank you so much for the tip!
So far I have gotten H to eat diced heart and liver by themselves, R to eat diced heart by itself, and neither for C. We will try again with C tomorrow with the diced heart (sneakily of course).
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