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Post by xclairex on Aug 6, 2011 10:53:56 GMT -5
OK thanks Sherry, just wanted to double check, i always worry about the bones, and i worry that they will choke on them etc.... but so far they seem to munch them up quite easily. I know its natural for them but I still worry about the little critters. I'm going to take some pictures of them now... and then again when i've noticed a difference from been raw fed to post in the before and after thread. How long do you think it will be before i notice a change in their coat and smell?
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Post by Sherry on Aug 6, 2011 11:08:49 GMT -5
It really varies. Some notice a difference in a couple of weeks. Others, it takes a few months. You will definitely notice a major difference in about 4-6 months, though And you should notice a difference in energy levels within a couple days of eating full raw
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Post by xclairex on Aug 6, 2011 11:26:04 GMT -5
YEY ok, i cant wait to see the changes!! When will I get the 'Raw feeder' against my name? i'm officially never giving my furkids kibble again :-)
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Post by katt on Aug 6, 2011 11:26:33 GMT -5
Yup. With Koda things were a little different. He didn't smell all that bad when he came home, and he didn't poop that much, and he had the nicest coat I have ever seen on a baby mill ferret to date. So I didn't really notice the results being so drastic - it was pretty much immediate with him. Kenai on the other hand was smelly like you would not believe, had this patchy, scraggly, rough coat...he was nothing but skin and bones but his bell was distended and bloated. He pooped every hour, on the hour and they were HUGE poops. Almost as big as him! I was seriously concerned he might poop himself into oblivion. That the next poop surely he'd just disappear because there was no way that was all coming from inside of him! I had to keep reminding myself...this is NORMAL for Marshalls Kibble ferrets! Anyways, Kenai took about 3 months before he really stopped smelling. He smelled better, and pooped less within a few days to weeks. His coat improved in a few weeks. His smell lasted a lot longer. But even now he has a bit of a funk to him, so part of that is that he's just a little smelly/ Maybe if he didn't roll all over the feeding den, and step in is poop.... ;D Anyways, in 3 months he was smelling pretty nice compared to before, but I definitely noticed an improvement before then. As for the bones don't worry. I know it can feel nerve wracking watching them chomp and crack and Swallow these big chunks of bone, but they really are designed for it. The chances of them choking on kibble are far, FAR greater than the chances of them choking on bone.
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Post by xclairex on Aug 6, 2011 11:47:55 GMT -5
Oooh OK that's interesting, you know I have noticed on occasion when the ferrets are eating the kibble that they do cough sometimes when they have got bits of food stuck..... they usually cough it out and then carry on eating!!!! So I'm soo glad that this is far less likely to happen with bones!! I'm dead excited to see the results of raw fed! I wish more people in the UK used this website, people really dont have a clue over here how to look after furkids, most people keep them in rabbit hutches on sawdust !! but then again there quite rare as pets over here too!
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Post by katt on Aug 6, 2011 12:30:55 GMT -5
Well the only way to help is to keep spreading the knowledge when you can! I encourage you to get on the facebook group "Ferret Owners <3" www.facebook.com/groups/ferretowners/There are several people from the UK there. Sonny, (miamyferret here - Sonny's mom) is a mod and she added me recently. It's nice to have more raw supporters. One person can say "yeah my ferret is on raw and it's great." And people might think meh ok whatever. Two people say "yeah my ferret is on raw and it's great." And people start to go hmmm that's interesting... Three people say "yeah my ferret is on raw and it's great." and people start to actually think and do some research... Power in numbers and personal eyewitness!
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Post by xclairex on Aug 6, 2011 12:52:08 GMT -5
I've joined
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Post by katt on Aug 6, 2011 13:12:34 GMT -5
Sweet! Btw I forgot to add to the list... Fish (whitefish, salmon, halibut, mackerel, minnows, gold fish. etc) Venison Veal
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Post by xclairex on Aug 8, 2011 8:36:41 GMT -5
Hello, this is my draft menu, if someone could have a look at it for me and tell me if I need to switch a few things about, or add something in if I'm lacking somewhere. So far the menu consists of things that I can definitely get my hands on- I'm going to go to some local butchers soon to see what else I can get so hopefully I can get more variety in there.
ok so.....
Monday AM: Chicken wings PM: Lamb heart Tuesday: AM: Beef chunks PM: Diced Turkey Wednesday AM: Chicken breast PM: Lamb liver Thursday: AM: Pork chunks PM: Pork heart Friday: AM: Chicken legs/ thighs PM: Pork Kidney Saturday: AM: Turkey breast PM: Ox liver Sunday: AM: Chicken wings PM: Minced beef
Another question... are chicken legs/ thigh's ok? i remember reading that weight bearing bones should be avoided.
Thanks
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Post by Sherry on Aug 8, 2011 14:49:00 GMT -5
Ok, you really need to up the edible bone. They need 8-9 meals a week of that. Mine will eat thigh/leg bones, but I have to smash them up almost to a pulp. I'd give those for 2 meals a week, and for the rest of it, meals more bone than meat. Things like wings/necks. Also, cut one of the liver meals. Try to average about 2oz per ferret per week of liver. Can you get turkey or chicken necks? If you have a local ethnic market, you should be able to find them there.
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Post by xclairex on Aug 8, 2011 16:55:49 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply sherry, I did keep thinking I needed more bone but I wasn't sure what else I could give them apart from the wings...? I can't get turkey or chicken necks anywhere- I don't have any markets like that near me.
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Post by xclairex on Aug 8, 2011 16:57:19 GMT -5
Oh another question... Can/ will ferrets eat tripe? I found some today in my local supermarket and wasn't sure if to buy some or not?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 18:06:52 GMT -5
Can you get whole chickens? What about Cornish game hen? I like whole chickens because I think the variety in bone types is important. Cornish game hens are the favorite food here because nice, small, soft bones Turkey necks are also enjoyed, but I have to smash them pretty good. Can you get duck?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 18:07:56 GMT -5
Only feed green tripe - not the bleached kind. Ferrets CAN eat tripe, but I'm not sure if they want to. It's pretty stinky, but very nutritious
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Post by Sherry on Aug 8, 2011 20:25:33 GMT -5
Yeah- unless you can handle, what was described to me as "an odour like a cow has vomited it's own faeces", then I'd not worry over much about tripe ;D I tried it with my guys. With every single one(including my cats), they sniffed it, and I got a "WTF? " look ;D Definitely check out cornish hen(usually in the freezer department), duck, goose. From both the duck and goose they can eat the neck, wing tips, and ribs. Also check your freezer department in your grocer's for chicken backs. Here's a link on getting some meats in the UK: holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=rawwholepreyprov&action=display&thread=1032#
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