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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2011 5:46:20 GMT -5
I definitely hope so. I fed them about two ice cubes each of their raw chicken puree and they gobbled it right up. I have them eating it at a baby food consistency right now. It is a bit better than watered down baby food consistency anyways. I will try taking more water out of it again today and see just what they will eat. I believe that they need more at this meal time so I am off to get more soupies. Wish me luck on them eating it less watery. I will update you after the consistency change and tell you what went on.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2011 11:21:16 GMT -5
Well they were a bit hesitant about the little bit thicker soupie but ate most of it. I hope they don't stub up again. They are doing better than they were before so lets hope all goes well. I will give them the same consistency soup for today and tomorrows meals and then try a little thicker on Thursday. Do you think that will be ok or do I need to slow the progress down just a bit? I don't want to rush them cause they are stubborn as can be. Silly girls.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2011 13:19:22 GMT -5
I'd wait til maybe Friday. You want them accepting the soup more willingly. At this point we are taking it gradually, but if this approach doesn't pan out, we will need to push them a bit (like, if they start refusing the new thicker soup, don't drop back down, but start implementing scruff and stuff sessions with the new consistency. Make the sessions a several times a day, short and sweet and with lots of praise ).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2011 16:28:09 GMT -5
Alright Friday it is then. Hopefully I wont have to scruff and stuff their new soupie. I hate seeing them struggle. What ever it takes for them to be healthier tho.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 11:42:12 GMT -5
how'd it go?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 11:57:24 GMT -5
Well I have been having to do scruff and stuff sessions with them. Gizmo has been kinda licking at the soup by herself but not actually eating it. Tinkerbell has been plotting revenge I believe. She protested and pooped on the top level of the cage. More than once. Gizmo when I first started the scruff and stuffs tried to nip me. I dont know whether she thought I was playing or what but then she got a time out. What do I do? I am at a loss. My two human kids have been on a mean streak to. Maybe its something in the air. I dont know. I dont want them to go hungry. They didnt try to fight a scruff before now . The turn over on their backs the second that I try. What has gotten into my sweet ferts.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 12:47:13 GMT -5
Honestly, they can pick up when you're reluctant, too. I know my worst times with Pixie and Yew were when I was upset b/c the swtich was progressing and I was worrying constantly. When I finally got over that, took a deep breath and said no matter what this is happening, and had my focus and intent reflect that, they caved (well, cooperated, at least). That's why now, no matter what I do (scruff, syringe, etc) I come at it with that attitude and everyone is kind of that my guys are so very well behaved. With me. No matter what I do. Are you keeping the sessions short, and giving lots of praise? And are you staying calm before, during and after a session? If not, the method won't work as well, and your ferrets (as well as you) will associate it with bad things instead of good.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2011 12:48:24 GMT -5
Also, how much is Gizmo licking on her own?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2011 10:52:12 GMT -5
I have awesome news. I made them their soupies this morning and they both went to town on it. I am gonna have to get them seperate lock crocks because they kept pushing each others heads out of the way. I dont know what changed over night. Apparently they were hungry or something. My jaw dropped when they did that. I even called my husband at work and told him. I was just fixing to answer the questions that you asked me and that is what happened. Maybe the scruff sessions worked. I was keeping them short and was giving them plenty of praise. Maybe they just decided the new texture of soup wasnt bad for them. I dont know. I am soooooo happy. Thank you for being patient with me. I am very confident that this will work. I hope you dont get frustrated with the ups and downs of my ferts progress. I am still baffled as to why they changed so much over night. Thank you and wish me and them luck that they keep it up.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2011 13:42:17 GMT -5
That's so, so great. Sometimes, and this is why the scruff and stuff method works, is because they need that brain of theirs to keep getting experience with the new food and thinking about it. After awhile, they start the imprinting session on that and realize that hey, it IS food, and that they've been making themselves go hungry for no reason! I completely understand the ups, downs, and plateaus of transitioning ferts, so don't worry, it won't frustrate me. It's completely natural I wish you lots of good luck, and I will continue sending positive thoughts to you and your ferts, and hope they continue doing so amazingly well!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 11:46:25 GMT -5
I'm finally back. I'm sorry for not being on for the past week. Both of my human kiddoes have been ill with food poison . We had been sitting in the pediatric ward at the hospital for three days last week. They both ate a sliced turkey sandwich and that is what did it the doctor said. My little boys were soo sick. You can never be careful enough apparently when it comes to preparing food. I opened the brand new pack of turkey and placed it on the bread and handed it to my children.Within five hours of lunch ,they were so sick that I had to carry them to the van to take them to the emergency room. I actually thought that it was just a stomach bug going around at my oldest boys school. I stayed with them two and a half days in the hospital then came home got a shower and went back . My poor kids are still weary of eating anything. My hubby had to watch my fuzzies while I was gone. He said that they did really well with their raw mush. I was wondering what the next step should be. I was going to do the slivers of chicken like last time,but I wasn't sure. I do know that they seem to be enjoying the soupie stuff pretty well. They hiss at each other over it now. They eat about two ice cubes a piece three times a day. They seem pretty content with that much. They usually lay there with their full tummies in the air and sleep. I just hope they progress with what ever is next.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 18:13:51 GMT -5
Oh, my, I'm so sorry for your little guys :C That's definitely no fun.
I would start adding in chicken slices, about [-] big right now and see how they do. Then, if they're good about it make them slightly bigger. If they're a bit hesitant stay at that size for a few days, and then try increasing the size.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2011 13:55:58 GMT -5
Well so far ,so good. They are eating the itty bitty slices right now. I plan on trying the bit bigger ones for tomorrows morning feeding and see how they do. I'm guessing that the texture is what helped them overcome their defiance of switching. This time it was a little more gradual and it wasn't as big a shock to them. Tomorrow morning we will see if they are still on board.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2011 18:33:54 GMT -5
Good! Here's hoping the best for tomorrow *\o/*
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2011 11:58:05 GMT -5
Well they didn't eat all of the slices but they did eat some of them. That is definitely progress. Maybe I should cut down on the amount just a tiny bit and see if that works a little better. I know that they should have a bit left over but with being on a budget, if they eat it all ,they get more. There is really no sense in wasting if I can adjust the amount until they are no longer hungry. Do you agree with that tactic? I do understand that with winter approaching, they will eat more. I will just have to adjust it as time goes on. Thanks for cheering for me. Those good vibes help.
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