A newbie needs advice with raw/whole prey feeding

[ariessa]

Hello! Three weeks ago I got a new family member - a 2-month-old ferret boy named Floppy .Weight at the beginning was 400g, now it’s 950g. He is my first ferret, so i am still learning about his behavior. Before I got him I already decided that I’ll feed him raw and whole prey food. At first he enjoyed eating duck/pork/chicken meat. He didn't like beef. Then i added whole pray foods like mouse and chicks that quickly became his favorites. Now he’s started refusing to eat raw meats that he ate at the beginning, but he always has a big appetite for mouse, rats and chicks. He still likes crushed chicken bone, chicken liver and heart and egg yolk. Im afraid that he’s not getting all the proteins that he needs only from this diet. Is it normal for a 3-month-old kit to protest the whole day (not eating duck/pork/beef/chicken meat)?

That is the diet I’ve planned for him, but now he is refusing to eat raw meat. Please let me know if there’s something wrong with the plan.

Monday
4-6 mice (weight per mouse 15-35g)

Tuesday
crushed chicken bones
duck meat

Wednesday
4 chicks (weight per chick 35g)

Thursday crushed chicken bones
pork meat

Friday
2-3 rats (weight per rat 90-150g)

Saturday
egg yolk
crushed chicken bones
beef

Sunday chicken wings/tails
chicken meat
liver and heart

In the near future I intend to add in occasional days of meats like lamb, honey, turkey.

He is very active, wants to play all the time. Could it be that he already understands that if he doesn’t eat, he’ll get some whole prey food? Before going to bed I finally give him a chick or a mouse, because all he has eaten all day is the morning crushed chicken bones. If I give him meat in the morning, then he doesn’t eat it, and refuses to eat combined food like crushed bone+meat.

What should I do in this situation?

[raynebc]

You might have to show some tough love, ferrets will definitely hold out for their favorite food if they think it will get them what they want. My ferrets have meals they like more than others, but they have to take it or leave it so they usually eat most of the food. Other people have posted that they had to out-stubborn their ferrets to get them to eat certain meals, but you might find luck changing how the meat is offered (ie. cut into larger or smaller chunks, or mix with something tasty like an egg).

Chicks would be a good treat, but aren't considered nutritious enough to be used as a full meal. I wasn't sure what meat you are referring to when you typed "honey".

[ariessa]

Thank you for advice. I will try to be tougher. By "honey" I meant goose 2nd language error.