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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 0:37:19 GMT -5
Hey guys ive been doing a lot of research im a little confused about the feeding schedules and everything, I was wondering if to make it easier on myself I could go by the guideline of 75% meat, 10-15% bone, 5% kidney, 5 % liver and purchased some from a butcher shop then had them blend it together if I could just throw it in my freezer and take some out to thaw and just feed him the mix, I was thinking maybe I could get the organs, bones, and meat from 3 different types of animals so that he can get 3 different animal proteins. Also, what is generally cheaper a raw diet or a whole prey diet and is it generally cheaper to get meat from the butcher and buy a lot of it then freeze it or?
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Post by LindaM on Mar 19, 2017 1:24:43 GMT -5
You can definitely feed grinds, there are even some commercial grinds that you can just buy that are balanced. These are considered "complete" meals. So if at any stage you plan to do normal frankenprey meals too, you'll need to balance your weekly meals using this chart: Balancing Frankenprey with Whole Prey or GrindsA key thing to remember with feeding grinds, is that you will need to regularly brush your ferret's teeth, as they will not get the dental benefits eating bone-in meals provide. Buying in bulk can definitely help save you a few bucks, but more so, if you order online, some of the companies have a base limit of how much weight a package needs to have before they will ship to you. And depending on your connections or the butcher you find to work with, you could score some special prices, or it could be more expensive than a grocery store, you'll need to check in your area to be sure. For frankenprey diets, most of us will go to a local Asian/Ethnic grocery store and buy meat there since it tends to be cheaper. So far, I've found the frankenprey to be cheaper and easier to get a hold of than most whole prey, and most people don't have the connections to get some unless they buy through the online stores which can be quite pricey and even more so with their shipping (though most Asian stores will offer you whole skinned rabbit or whole duck). If you're having trouble or any concerns with a raw switch, you can always apply for a mentor on here, who will help you through the process of switching your ferret as well as teach you very valuable information you'll need to know as a raw feeder. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 13:34:00 GMT -5
Ok thanks, after visiting two butchers I was told that they wont be able to make it for me because the bones will destroy the grinders, so I went to the store and got 5 pinkies, 4 chicks, and 5 mice, that alone cost about 22 dollars, how many times a day do you normally feed them I know that they have fast metabolisms, and would it be an ok idea to offer him Orijen cat kibble around the clock but try to get him to eat primarily mice? do mice alone provide enough nutrients or is it essential they get 3 animal proteins? The store I was at only had rats, various mice, chicks, or a rabbit for $14, I dont want to feed him any rats at least until I find a caring home for the pet rats I have in my room and I know chicks are low on calcium and should only be fed once a week, thanks.
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Post by LindaM on Mar 19, 2017 16:13:23 GMT -5
Okay, so first off, baby animals aren't meals, they are a snack only, because they are not fully developed nutritionally. Pinkies and Chicks are only to be used as snacks/treats, they do not count as meal since they are baby animals. And you cannot feed only the mice, ferrets need a minimum of 3 different proteins. Rabbit would be great to do, mine in particular has rabbit and duck as their favorite proteins. Most of us do 2 meals a day (unless you have a sick ferret, or a kit), an AM meal and a PM meal. And it's best to free-feed, meaning we put out food at the mealtime, and that amount will generally last up to the next mealtime with only a few bites remaining (versus removing the bowls after a while), thus the ferrets can get their fill of food as they like, versus an empty bowl which could point out that someone might not have gotten enough food. Sick ferrets (eg. one with insulinoma) and kits need to have food available to them at all times. If you're planning on getting him primarily on raw, but you plan to leave kibble out all the time, it's going to be like shooting yourself in the foot. Chances are he'll refuse the raw and just eat the kibble. Sometimes they'll even refuse the raw and hold out for the kibble instead. Or he could go for the raw and start ignoring kibble entirely, like mine did. That all being said, I had successfully fed my ferrets a partial raw, partial kibble diet before for a while before I decided to go raw only. But it was not fun at all, nor the easiest. Doing a partial diet takes a lot hassle and caution. You need to keep what they are eating balanced, and you need to make sure you leave a few hours before each type of meal, as doing raw and kibble too close to each other in time can result in a bacterial overgrowth in their gut, which means vet trip and antibiotics. This link shows some of the whole prey/raw providers one can use, you might find it helpful: holisticferretforum.com/natural-diet/raw-and-whole-prey-providers/ |
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