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Post by Sherry on Aug 31, 2011 8:43:29 GMT -5
I'd use the one you can't get/have trouble getting, as fresh meat to add variety.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2011 15:53:38 GMT -5
Sorry I'm a little late, but welcome to the forum! It's always great to see people getting proactive and doing all the legwork before getting an animal Ferrets can be a lot of hard work, so getting comfortable with it beforehand really does make for a better experience! (also this: Katt, re: the spicy olive oil, I think he means naturally spicy olive oil, not olive oil with added spices. Olive oil can have a natural spicy or peppery taste, especially if it's a greener or less filtered oil. Extra virgin doesn't mean it won't be spicy. is interesting, Mike. I have an EVOO that is robust, and my ferrets adore it. I didn't think twice about giving it to them, since there's nothing added to enhance flavor, so I'm assuming you can give this to them, if they like it? Or no?)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2011 16:07:54 GMT -5
Interesting, Sunny yours like the more spicy oil? Hey I can't think of any reason it would hurt them! But I'm no expert. Funny how not all ferrets like the same tastes, my Finn for example just discovered green beans last night! He stole a couple that fell on the floor and gobbled them up like they were a delicious treat My other 2 ferrets on the other hand can't stand them, and won't even eat them if I scruff-n-stuff ;D Since Finn loves them, and they are low-calorie, high-fiber, I wonder if green beans would be a safe alternative to pumpkin, for times when it's hard to find? I remember reading on raw feeding dog forums that green beans are sometimes used as a filler for overweight dogs to help them feel full while eating less calories.
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Post by Heather on Aug 31, 2011 22:44:59 GMT -5
I don't mean to spoil Fin's treat but the beans in green beans are not very digestible and probably shouldn't be fed to him. I believe they're a legume which is often not easily digested. I suppose if you ran it through the blender after being cooked they might be ok, but they're not a great choice for ferrets.
ciao
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Post by revolvingsheep on Sept 11, 2011 13:47:40 GMT -5
Ok so I got my small freezer for the garage just for my ferret meats... talk about spoiled ferrets!
I picked a date with the breeder to pick up the sisters... Oct 23rd. That's like 4-6 weeks away, I know, but I'm jumping the gun and buying everything way early. I already have the freezer so I might as well buy some meat to put in it right? It won't go bad as long as it's frozen right?
So as a summary, here is the situation. She feeds them whole prey and kibble. I'm wanting to do both whole prey and raw meats/organs/bones... and I want to remove the kibble completely. Given that, what should I go ahead and order to have ready for them on day one? Since they are used to raw prey, it makes since to get some... where should I go and how much should I buy? And I'm sure raw meats and bones will be easy to transition too since they eat whole prey, so what should I go ahead and buy and freeze?
Should I buy the stella and chewies treats?
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 15:10:15 GMT -5
Do you know what kind of prey? Mice, rats, quail, guniea pig, rabbit? Knowing that would help a lot so you don't spend a lot of cash on prey they're unfamiliar with. Though with babies, they usually eat pretty much everything. Most people use rodentpro for ordering whole prey. Prices are good but shipping kills. Hare today also has some whole prey options. Depending on where you're located there are some other smaller providers. Check around for local reptile stores to see if you can buy from them and save on shipping. As for meats, I'd get whatever is most affordable. Mine like birds a lot, so their bone meats are chicken, Cornish game hen, and turkey necks. Boneless they get stewing beef (nice and fatty ) and pork chunks. For Stella and Chewys, mine LOVE the duck duck goose. I like having the Lamb on hand because it's great for tummies, but my crew don't like it much. But like I said earlier, babies will be far less picky. And you're right - it can stay frozen for quite a while and still be good. I always double bag my foods in case I've popped a hole in the bag with a bone shard. Small baggies for meals, then they all go in a large heavy duty bag for extra security. Also get some plain canned pumpkin if you can find it. Stock up because it's scarce after fall.
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Post by revolvingsheep on Sept 11, 2011 15:46:06 GMT -5
I'll ask the breeder but I seem to remember her saying she fed them mice or rats.
I have heard of Rodentpro. I have tons of pet stores around where I am, I'll check around for frozen whole prey options locally. Good idea. I just want to make sure they are good healthy meals and I know Rodentpro is a great option for that.
I was thinking birds as well. My local Whole Foods says they sell lots of meats for pets... so I'll look into the three you mentioned. What about organ options? Also, if I'm going with the three bird meats you listed, how much of each should I buy initially? How many organs?
I was already thinking of getting the duck Stella and Chewys... I'll look into the lamp as well. It's good for upset stomach? If I start them on lamb early maybe they will like it as they grow up.
Yes I also want to individually bag their meals, but I have no idea how much to feed them and how often to feed the different stuff either. I guess I'll learn that through the mentor program.
I'll get some canned pumpkin but what is it for?
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 15:46:24 GMT -5
Ok so I got my small freezer for the garage just for my ferret meats... talk about spoiled ferrets! I picked a date with the breeder to pick up the sisters... Oct 23rd. That's like 4-6 weeks away, I know, but I'm jumping the gun and buying everything way early... Wow, you're going straight from no ferrets, to breeder ferrets, skipping the whole pet store ferret experience I think that's great. Who is the breeder? I wonder if it's anyone we have heard of? You must be excited! I think it's great that you're getting all this stuff ready this far in advance!
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Post by revolvingsheep on Sept 11, 2011 15:49:37 GMT -5
Well not exactly ... I had two ferrets as a teenager over 10 years ago and they were store ferrets. That experience and tons of research made me decide to go with a breeder this time.
The breeder is Quantum Leap Ferrets out of Oklahoma. Google them for the web page. She seems very legit. She doesn't adopt till 10 weeks and has a spay contract. I'm driving 4.5 hours to get them on the 23rd.
I like being prepared and yes my whole family is excited... well, except for my wife... haha.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 16:53:11 GMT -5
Oh awesome! Yeah I have heard that QLF is a good ferretry If you don't mind me asking, have you picked the girls yet, and if so, which litter are they from? Any pics of them up yet on the QLF site?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 17:21:24 GMT -5
For organs, you want liver and at least one other organ. Some examples are brain, kidney, spleen, pancreas, thymus, reproductive organs. The diet will be 5% liver, 5% other organs. The more variety in organ, the better. Also try to variety the protein source of the organ. So chicken liver, beef liver, etc.
Heart is also very important. Chicken heart is usually available at the grocery store. I've also found beef heart there as well. Try calling local butchers and see if they ever stock stranger meats (organs etc) and see what prices they go for.
The pumpkin is for fiber. Because raw meats lack the fur and indigestibles of whole prey, it's good to have some on hand to supplement. Plain canned pumpkin, no sugar. Squash baby food also works the same (though you need to feed more because it's usually watered down. It's also a lifesaver when it comes to blockages.
As for how much they'll eat daily, babies eat a ton. They will probably eat upward 4 oz a day each. Maybe more maybe less, that's just my own experience. It will level out as they age. My 3 eat about 6-8 oz daily in the summer. As kits, just feed them as much as they'll eat. Ferrets generally don't over eat.
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Post by revolvingsheep on Sept 11, 2011 17:21:44 GMT -5
No they are only like 4-5 weeks old right now and she hasn't even announced them on her site. In fact there were only 3 in the litter and she is going to take one of them but hasn't decided which one. That leaves two and those are the two I'm getting. She thinks there will be two black/dark sables and one black roan mitt... I hope I get the mitt as that is one of the colors I have always wanted and I'd really like them to look different from each other.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 17:22:08 GMT -5
Yes lamb is a very gentle meat and easily digested. If they eat it young they'll likely get used to it. Some love lamb, others don't.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 17:23:35 GMT -5
(sorry for multiple posts) I feed one protein a day. So Monday is chicken, tuesday pork, etc. Sometimes I get in 2 proteins a day too. Some get bored easily for food so it helps to switch it up a bit And babies will eat every 4-8 hours (generally). So it's best to have food available at all times
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Post by revolvingsheep on Sept 13, 2011 10:21:58 GMT -5
I plan on ordering a box of 500 large adult mice from rodentpro.com. It's going to cost me around $266 with shipping. I divided 500 mice by 2 to get 250 per ferret and then by 120 mice for 4 months (2 mice a day) and it comes to around $60 a month just for the whole prey. That's if I feed each ferret 2 mice a day.
I have $50 a month in food and litter in my finances for the two ferrets I'm getting which will initially be 10 weeks old. $60 is over that and that's just whole prey... that doesn't even include other raw meats and organs I want to feed. Do I need to increase my monthly food/litter bill for the ferrets?
So my questions are...
1. Is 2 mice a day a good idea while also feeding other raw meat? Can I feed 1 a day per ferret? If I'm feeding raw meats as well, could I just feed a few mice a week and not one every day? What are my options and what would be best?
2. Should I skip the mice and just feed raw meats only? The breeder currently feeds her ferrets free 24/7 kibble and 1-2 mice a day.... so I'll probably have to get at least one 50 mice bag and a bag of kibble to get them weaned into eating other whole meats.
3. I have read (was it here?) that a 10 week old ferret will eat every 4 hours. Is this accurate? How much do I feed them in each meal? Lets say I'm feeding chicken breast one day... how big do I cut the raw pieces and how many pieces do I feed per meal? What if I'm also feeding mice? I assume I give them one full mouse but how often?
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