Post by Heather on Aug 27, 2017 10:33:24 GMT -5
Application:
Name: Sara
HF Forum Username:
thefluffybeasts
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older:
yup, 18/12/87 - 29 years old
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Right here! Was looking for better alternatives than cat food for them when I got my first ferret a few years ago. Her death from intestinal complications after 3 months of getting her (Casey was only 9 months old) made me determined to feed them the best food for them.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
My lot of 15 are currently on a full frankenprey diet. I converted 8 rescue kibblers at varying times, raised 6 (from my own litters which I kept) on raw from birth, and 1 is an imported jill that was already on raw. As of January last year, all of them finished the conversion and are now on full raw. I'm also currently working on converting my latest rescue whom I've had for 3 weeks - she's still in the soup stage). I've been looking to start introducing whole prey like hopper rats and rats, bunnies, etc., perhaps even live hoppers for my younger kits who seem to have more hunting instincts (the youngest ones in my business are currently 3 months old so I want to do that before they imprint on chopped chunks only).
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Because it's the only appropriate diet for mid-level predators like ferrets, in my opinion. Feeding them any other diets will result in diet-related health issues that I just can't bear to happen to them. Whilst I know other medical conditions or situations can and will happen, if I can do a little part to help them live healthier and longer lives by doing this, I will. There is absolutely nothing I won't do for them.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
Oh yes. It took me 3-5 months to switch 10 kibblers at various points of time. So I am committed to this.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I've had each of them for about 6 months to a year and a half, at various points as they all came into my care at different times. Their names and ages -
Casey (Est) - Feb’14 - Nov 23 ’14 (DIP - 9-10 months old) F (Champagne point semi angora)
Loki (Est) - Aug’15 (1 year 11 months) M (Sable polecat)
Aiken - Feb’16 (1 year 5 months) F (Sprite) (Black and white Siamese point)
Baloo (Est) - Jan’16 (1 year 6 months) M (Dark chocolate self with bib, full angora)
Anouk - Feb’16 (1 year 5 months) M (Gib) (Silver roan)
Lilo - Mar’16 (1 year 4 months) F (Silver roan)
Perdita - Mar ’16 (1 year 4 months) F (White base Silver roan)
Porthos - Mar ’16 (1 year 4 months) M (Sable, mask)
Bianca - 5 Aug ’16 (11 months) F (Light silver/ heavily marked white, full angora)
Filippo - 23 Nov ’16 (8 months) M (Dark silver roan / points, semi angora)
Fleur- 20 Nov ’16 (8 months) F (Light sable, semi angora)
Misha - Nov '16 (8 months) F (Dark self milkmouth, blue eyes)
Sasha - 3 Apr '17 (3 months) F (Light sable blaze semi angora)
Snow - 3 Apr '17 (3 months) F (Marked white semi angora)
Storm - 3 Apr '17 (3 months) F (Light sable blaze semi angora)
Sky - 3 Apr '17 (3 months) M (Light sable semi angora)
They are all healthy, other than the occasional bald / thin hair tail from seasonal shedding (Baloo, Porthos) , occasional funky poops from sensitive tummies (Porthos, Storm and Sky are the more sensitive ones) and the occasional blockage (Filippo aka Fatty Pippo who as a kit liked to eat things he shouldn't or inhale his treats too fast and throw up)
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Full frankenprey, with raw soups on saturdays and/or sundays as a treat.
Other treats include:
Salmon oil (2-3 times a week)
Freeze dried raw deer jerky (100% deer meat)
Freeze dried raw deer heart (100% deer heart meat)
Raw salmon bits
Carnivore care (as a treat from time to time and for sickies)
Whole eggs
Pure canned pumpkin (for blockages)
Laxatone (on hand for severe blockages only)
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Yes, I switched the kibblers over to raw. They are still on raw.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I'm also doing some small-time breeding this year to better control the access to information and ferret care that potential new owners get in Malaysia.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday day. Though I usually reserve at least one day in the weekend for family and pet quality time.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
goo.gl/photos/U3vg6kJWgXAYNfRKA
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yes. I have an electronic kitchen scale sensitive to 1 g.
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Yes
Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/61/sign-mentoring-program#ixzz4lvwRNjos
14. We occasionally have a wait for a Mentor to be available. While you wait we encourage you to get started by creating your own switching thread under Diet Transitions where all of our mentors and members can help you while you wait for your personal mentor. See here --> holisticferret60.proboards.com/board/66/diet-transitions
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentors (Sherry), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentors) so that your mentors can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentors and most of all relax and have fun. Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
Name: Sara
HF Forum Username:
thefluffybeasts
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older:
yup, 18/12/87 - 29 years old
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Right here! Was looking for better alternatives than cat food for them when I got my first ferret a few years ago. Her death from intestinal complications after 3 months of getting her (Casey was only 9 months old) made me determined to feed them the best food for them.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
My lot of 15 are currently on a full frankenprey diet. I converted 8 rescue kibblers at varying times, raised 6 (from my own litters which I kept) on raw from birth, and 1 is an imported jill that was already on raw. As of January last year, all of them finished the conversion and are now on full raw. I'm also currently working on converting my latest rescue whom I've had for 3 weeks - she's still in the soup stage). I've been looking to start introducing whole prey like hopper rats and rats, bunnies, etc., perhaps even live hoppers for my younger kits who seem to have more hunting instincts (the youngest ones in my business are currently 3 months old so I want to do that before they imprint on chopped chunks only).
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Because it's the only appropriate diet for mid-level predators like ferrets, in my opinion. Feeding them any other diets will result in diet-related health issues that I just can't bear to happen to them. Whilst I know other medical conditions or situations can and will happen, if I can do a little part to help them live healthier and longer lives by doing this, I will. There is absolutely nothing I won't do for them.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
Oh yes. It took me 3-5 months to switch 10 kibblers at various points of time. So I am committed to this.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I've had each of them for about 6 months to a year and a half, at various points as they all came into my care at different times. Their names and ages -
Casey (Est) - Feb’14 - Nov 23 ’14 (DIP - 9-10 months old) F (Champagne point semi angora)
Loki (Est) - Aug’15 (1 year 11 months) M (Sable polecat)
Aiken - Feb’16 (1 year 5 months) F (Sprite) (Black and white Siamese point)
Baloo (Est) - Jan’16 (1 year 6 months) M (Dark chocolate self with bib, full angora)
Anouk - Feb’16 (1 year 5 months) M (Gib) (Silver roan)
Lilo - Mar’16 (1 year 4 months) F (Silver roan)
Perdita - Mar ’16 (1 year 4 months) F (White base Silver roan)
Porthos - Mar ’16 (1 year 4 months) M (Sable, mask)
Bianca - 5 Aug ’16 (11 months) F (Light silver/ heavily marked white, full angora)
Filippo - 23 Nov ’16 (8 months) M (Dark silver roan / points, semi angora)
Fleur- 20 Nov ’16 (8 months) F (Light sable, semi angora)
Misha - Nov '16 (8 months) F (Dark self milkmouth, blue eyes)
Sasha - 3 Apr '17 (3 months) F (Light sable blaze semi angora)
Snow - 3 Apr '17 (3 months) F (Marked white semi angora)
Storm - 3 Apr '17 (3 months) F (Light sable blaze semi angora)
Sky - 3 Apr '17 (3 months) M (Light sable semi angora)
They are all healthy, other than the occasional bald / thin hair tail from seasonal shedding (Baloo, Porthos) , occasional funky poops from sensitive tummies (Porthos, Storm and Sky are the more sensitive ones) and the occasional blockage (Filippo aka Fatty Pippo who as a kit liked to eat things he shouldn't or inhale his treats too fast and throw up)
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Full frankenprey, with raw soups on saturdays and/or sundays as a treat.
Other treats include:
Salmon oil (2-3 times a week)
Freeze dried raw deer jerky (100% deer meat)
Freeze dried raw deer heart (100% deer heart meat)
Raw salmon bits
Carnivore care (as a treat from time to time and for sickies)
Whole eggs
Pure canned pumpkin (for blockages)
Laxatone (on hand for severe blockages only)
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Yes, I switched the kibblers over to raw. They are still on raw.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I'm also doing some small-time breeding this year to better control the access to information and ferret care that potential new owners get in Malaysia.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday day. Though I usually reserve at least one day in the weekend for family and pet quality time.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
goo.gl/photos/U3vg6kJWgXAYNfRKA
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yes. I have an electronic kitchen scale sensitive to 1 g.
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Yes
Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/61/sign-mentoring-program#ixzz4lvwRNjos
14. We occasionally have a wait for a Mentor to be available. While you wait we encourage you to get started by creating your own switching thread under Diet Transitions where all of our mentors and members can help you while you wait for your personal mentor. See here --> holisticferret60.proboards.com/board/66/diet-transitions
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentors (Sherry), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentors) so that your mentors can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentors and most of all relax and have fun. Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
