Tried whole prey

[cockneyferret]

Hi all,

So as part of an order I was given some freebies to try out.  I got:

Some pinkies mice
Some day old quail
Some day old chicks

I thought i'd give Bandida and Ladrona a mouse each and they destroyed them, the following day they had Quail, which they were a little more cautious of, but having checked their feeding den and FN after about an hour, both quails where nowhere to be found.

Yesterday they had a chick each, which I only found one foot of, which one of them had dropped out of their cage onto the floor below.

They certainly seem happier on whole prey than chunks/blends/grinds.

It may be completely unrelated but Bandida seems way more chilled and less nippy since having whole prey.  Has anyone else noticed behavioural changes after feeding whole prey?

Cheers


 

[Heather]

Prey is what they should have, it's just for most of us, the cost and attaining a decent supply can be difficult. Just remember baby of anything is just a treat. Day old chicks (my guys love them...they're food worth fighting for), pinkies all juvenile animals. Their bones are not able to offer calcium and trace minerals that are needed. So, if you're going to feed whole prey, work up to adult creatures.
ciao

[cockneyferret]

Oh, absolutely.

At the moment I am happy to continue them on Frakenprey with the occasional whole prey treats.

Yes, they did have a little tussle over who's chick was who's.

They still love their bone in meals, so they should hopefully be getting their calcium and nutrients.

Cheers

[Charlie]

I did the same and started with a pinkie then went to a hopper then adult mice. My guy sure loves his mice!! I'd love to try quail but can't find any local yet.

[abbeytheferret6]

I went for the adult mice but gutted them, skinned them, and cut them up. At one time I put salmon oil on them--this was when I was trying to get them to eat them with fur on. I don't do salmon oil now, neither do I skin them---but I still gut them. Don't want them to reject them, since they are used to eating them cleaned. All organs are still intact.

[cockneyferret]

Just a quick update.

I had a new food order arrive yesterday, in which I ordered a few adult quail.

Gave them one last night and they went to town on it. Was like some kind of horror movie. They ripped it to shreds and ate the lot.

Found only a few feathers this morning.

Cheers

[Sherry]

Excellent!