|
Post by xclairex on Oct 16, 2011 15:51:24 GMT -5
My furkids have been on a completely raw diet now for a few months and I am beginning to notice the benefits This is their average weekly menu: Monday- AM: Chicken breast chunks PM: Chicken wings Tuesday- AM: Beef chunks PM: Pigs liver Wednesday- AM: Lamb Mince PM: Chicken Thigh Thursday: AM: Turkey Mince PM: OX heart Wednesday: AM: Chicken Wings PM: Pig kidney Thursday:AM: Beef mince PM: Chicken drumsticks Friday: AM: Turkey breast PM: Pig heart Saturday: AM: Lamb mince PM: Turkey drumsticks Sunday: AM: Beef chunks PM: Pig Kidney Have I got the balance about right do you think? The menu varies a lot depending on what they are selling off for cheap at the supermarket but I try to keep the meat/bone/ organ percentages right. They all love their raw diet now and turn their noses up at the kibble Claire.
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Oct 16, 2011 16:35:41 GMT -5
You've got plenty of variety there, and the heart and organs, which is fantastic! Only problem I can see is not enough bone. Even if the mince is bone in(I believe it is?), there's not quite enough bone in chicken thigh or drumsticks, even if they will eat it. Maybe substitute another wing meal(or turkey/chicken neck if you can get it) for at least one of those, and maybe one of the kidney meals. They only need 2oz of liver, and 2 oz of kidney(other organ) a week each.
Other good bone in if you can get them are quail, pork neck, pork rib ends, ox tail,
|
|
|
Post by xclairex on Oct 16, 2011 23:28:58 GMT -5
Thanks sherry. I can't get neck anywhere!! Ive tried and tried!! What about some kind of spare ribs? You mention pork rib ends?? Can't they have all of the ribs?
Your right, some of the mince they get has bone in it too which is why I thought I was giving them enough...they always eat all of the chicken wings and drumstick bones. On the odd occation I do find small pieces of bone hidden in their bedding area! I take it out after 2 days. But apart from that they eat it all.
Apart from ribs, I can't think of any other non- waight bearing bones that I can get hold of.
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Oct 16, 2011 23:45:02 GMT -5
Can you either get human grade bonemeal, or even powder up some eggshells? You could put about 1/2 tsp per 8 ounces of meat on a couple of the muscle meals since it's just to supplement. Ferrets have very high calcium needs. The reason you can't do an entire diet with those is they also need the trace minerals from real bone. They are getting that with what you are feeding, but still need more calcium, hence the eggshell or bonemeal
|
|
|
Post by xclairex on Oct 17, 2011 2:01:18 GMT -5
Yeah I have loads of ground up egg shell. Should I just sprinkle that onto their meat? How much of that should I given them in a week do you reckon?
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Oct 17, 2011 10:25:01 GMT -5
It really depends on how much they eat. Normal amount is 1/2 tsp per 8 ounces of meat, so whatever that works out to. If they eat an average of 8 ounces between the four of them in a meal, then do it to two meals. Maybe on the organ days? That would also have the side benefit of helping to firm those stools a bit.
|
|
|
Post by xclairex on Oct 22, 2011 8:10:26 GMT -5
Ok... How about this
Monday- AM: Chicken breast chunks PM: Chicken wings Tuesday- AM: Beef chunks PM: Pigs liver Wednesday- AM: Lamb Mince PM: Chicken Thigh Thursday: AM: Chicken ribs PM: OX heart Wednesday: AM: Chicken Wings PM: Pig kidney Thursday:AM: Beef mince PM: Chicken drumsticks Friday: AM: Turkey breast PM: Pig heart Saturday: AM: Lamb mince PM: Turkey drumsticks Sunday: AM: Beef chunks PM: Pork ribs
(I have been sprinkling egg shell onto the organs for added calcium)
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Oct 22, 2011 11:16:17 GMT -5
Looks good to me You've got 5 proteins, 7 full edible bone meals(as long as the pork ribs are rib ends) and the others make up the difference. Lots of meat, including heart, and your organ meals! With the organs, make sure they aren't getting more than about 2oz of each per ferret, and you're good to go How confident do you feel about being able to substitute different proteins into their correct slots if you find some on sale, or just want to give them a change? Also, keep an eye on their stools, and if they do have any problems(dry stool), you know to cut the eggshell powder on one or two of the meals?
|
|
|
Post by xclairex on Oct 22, 2011 13:26:29 GMT -5
You know, I'm feeling pretty confident at the whole raw feeding now. I feel that I have a good idea of the %'s they need. I am beginning to see the benefits already! I feel confident at substituting different proteins too, Ive just gotten back from the supermarket now and they had lamb ribs on sale, so this week I can substitute the Pork rib ends for lamb rib ends I like to be able to give them a good variety whilst still keeping the % right. I've even started Archie (the rescue ferret) on raw and he's doing brilliantly! AND i've found an on-line supplier that sells chicken and turkey necks!!!!! So I can substitute one of the chicken drum sticks/ thighs for a neck instead! or stop needing to use the eggshell powder as often.
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Oct 22, 2011 13:47:44 GMT -5
Congratulations! Welcome to the world of raw feeding I do hope you stick around, and keep sharing what you've learned with others
|
|
|
Post by xclairex on Oct 22, 2011 13:51:11 GMT -5
Yey!!!! Will i get a 'raw feeder' banner under my name?
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Oct 22, 2011 13:57:12 GMT -5
Already done
|
|
|
Post by xclairex on Oct 22, 2011 14:02:13 GMT -5
Yeeeeyyy!!! thankyou!!! I feel proud Thanks for all your help with the switch Sherry!!!!
|
|
|
Post by xclairex on Oct 22, 2011 14:03:59 GMT -5
Congratulations! Welcome to the world of raw feeding I do hope you stick around, and keep sharing what you've learned with others I definitely will stick around!!! I Love this forum!!
|
|