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Post by LindaM on Jun 6, 2017 21:42:10 GMT -5
Those don't look bad for sliver sizes, but we can try getting the girls to start eating them bigger still if they have no issues with this current size. When doing the chunks that have bone, try to keep them big enough in size that it'll force the ferrets to chew it, instead of trying to just swallow it. The wee buggers can be notoriously lazy about food.. the easier they can just inhale something, the better they believe. (headwall) You guys are doing very well.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 10:40:53 GMT -5
Got a photo for an idea of what you mean about the bone in chunks? Just bust them up less? But leave them in chunks?
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Post by LindaM on Jun 7, 2017 11:08:12 GMT -5
Actually, let me link to this one page of Machan's site, it's got some detailed photos you might find rather helpful with starting the bones. Get Your Ferret Eating BonesAt first, you're still going to have to smash up the bones, until they really start chewing them and their jaws improve, then after that stage is reached you can just give them chunks with bone in as is. Unless it's something with really tough bones, like turkey necks... those are SMASH, SMASH, SMASH! Weight-bearing bones are also tougher for fuzzies and most will ignore them unless they get smashed, like thigh bones. Do you already have a list of which bones are good to feed, or would you like me to link to one for you?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 12:26:36 GMT -5
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Post by LindaM on Jun 7, 2017 12:59:44 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 17:56:12 GMT -5
LindaM ok so update: When I put the rabbit with bone in bashed up and just rabbit slivers....the girls ate every piece that had bone in it and didn't touch slivers. Also picking up chicken wing tips at butcher Saturday they are going to save them from when they cut and trim the wings, how ever I did pick up some chicken feet and spazz is munching away and dragging one around with her. When I try the bone in again ill bust the bone up less and cut larger pieces as suggested thank you for being patient with me I'm learning as they are and wow is there a lot to learn. As for cutting the slivers bigger we are still kind of at hit or miss, I noticed this morning the girls slivers were untouched aside from a chicken wing tip nibbles on a little and a gizzard missing. Thank you for the links going to read up
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Post by LindaM on Jun 8, 2017 18:23:29 GMT -5
Yes!!!!! Go little girlies, goooooo! Munch those bones! (dance) You guys are doing so well, really! I'm so glad the girls have decided to go for the bone-in. I was kinda sitting on the edge of my chair all.. "will they... won't they.. will they...?" But it seems like rabbit is definitely a favorite right now. Let me know if they continue to avoid the slivers though. Will they eat them when they're the old size again? Bones are so amazing for their dental health too. A key to note about chicken feet, these are very bony and have basically no meat. Bone-in meals should be edible bone with meat, since the chicken feet are so bony by themselves, it's usually advised to give it as a treat (and not too often) instead of for a meal, unless you add some muscle meat with it. That said, should you be having troubles at any time finding variety in your bone-in meals, you can make a pseudo bone-in meal by using chicken feet for the bone and adding slivers/chunks of meat of another protein. There is definitely a lot to learn, but it will amaze you how easy the information comes to you once you are aware of it. Would you like a small quiz to see what you know and where you'd like us to focus on a little more?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 19:07:28 GMT -5
Id love a small quiz to check what Ive learned. Yeah I thought the feet would be as a treat, spazz has not left that thing alone since I been home! Pick her up it comes with her like mom cant you see I got noms. I need to get more proteins with bone in our next meat to cut up is a duck so as far as I know they can eat necks and wings right? or can they have the other bones as well? (READING INTO LINKS AT THE MOMENT) but asking while its on my mind.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 19:09:27 GMT -5
LindaM How often can I give them gizzards seeing we are working on them building jaw strength as well as working on bone in?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 19:21:38 GMT -5
And is it ok to include a little bone in meat with their slivers at each meal if I use less bonemeal powder? this way we are getting them to try it and making sure they get what they need?
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Post by LindaM on Jun 8, 2017 19:23:31 GMT -5
Are you planning on doing gizzards as a treat or do you want to do them more like a muscle meal? I only give my little buggers gizzards as chew-treats since mine aren't overly fond of them, the spoiled little snots. But there are others who will feed gizzards as a muscle meal in the week.
As for duckies... edible bones would be the neck, wingtips, and ribs usually. Duck thigh bones, just like turkey can be freaking tough and ferrets may choose to avoid them instead. I believe they can munch the duck heads too, it has yummy brains inside, but I have yet to try this one myself. Brains are considered an other organ, but too much or too often will result in nasty, nasty runny poops as it is very rich.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 19:30:42 GMT -5
I want to give gizzards and chicken feet as treats....these two brats wont touch other treats this is first time I go to give them a treat and im excited about it.
The duck doesn't have a head I don't think, it says whole duck but ill find out when I open the package.
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Post by LindaM on Jun 8, 2017 19:31:41 GMT -5
As for a quiz, let's see how much of the following you can answer without looking it up.
1. Which nutrient is found in Liver, and is it water-soluble or fat-soluble? 2. What percentage of the total diet should be made up of hearts? 3. Which essential nutrient is found in Hearts? 4. How can you tell your ferret is getting too much or too little bone? 5. What is the Blockage Protocol? 6. Should you give your ferret any cooked foods?
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Post by LindaM on Jun 8, 2017 19:36:24 GMT -5
It could be headless or have a head honestly, the Asian store I buy from sells both, they also sell loose duck heads that just stare at you, lol.
If you wanna give as a treat, I'd try for no more than 1-2 per ferret, per week (you can even cut the gizzard in half and feed on separate days). That way it doesn't really upset the balance of their diet, or fill tummies so they don't want their food. Keep an eye on poops though to make sure they do not cause any issues.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 19:44:30 GMT -5
1. Which nutrient is found in Liver, and is it water-soluble or fat-soluble? no idea 2. What percentage of the total diet should be made up of hearts? 3. Which essential nutrient is found in Hearts? taurine 4. How can you tell your ferret is getting too much or too little bone? to much solidish poops, to little runny poops 5. What is the Blockage Protocol? Don't know this by heart but have it saved on my phone in case of emergency, I know purr pumpkin puree some use. 6. Should you give your ferret any cooked foods? no cooked food
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