Valren's Switching Thread/Sunnyberra

[Heather]

Name: Kyra
HF Forum Username: Valren

1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets? I had four ferrets a number of years ago. They all came from our local rescue and the woman we adopted them from told me about feeding them whole mice/chicks. I've been doing bits of research here and there and considered getting a ferret from a breeder in my area who feeds hers a raw diet.

2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I would like to switch my ferrets over to a completely raw diet. I am unsure as to either whole prey or a combo of whole prey/store bought raw (chicken/turkey, etc) would be better.

3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I always want whats best for my fur-kids. Since ferrets are carnivores and store bought kibble (whether it be for cat/dog/whatever) is hardly ever a healthy diet for your animal, I would like to stray from continuing to feed them junk food. I would like for my ferrets to live long, healthy lives eating a diet they were made to eat.

4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yes!

5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
We currently have 2 ferrets. I'm guessing around 9 weeks or so. Both male. They have yet to reveal their names to us. Neither appear under/overweight. We've had them for less than a week.

6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
We are currently feeding ZuPreem Ferret Diet. They also get ferretone when clipping their nails.

7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No.

8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I am 24, engaged with a stable home. We also have 2 bunnies (Spoc - lionhead & Sora - mini holland lop) as well as two winter white hamsters (Bisquit & Gravy).

9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Daily.

10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).


Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Sunnyberra) will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao

[Deleted]

Hi, I'm Annie (known on here as sunny or sunnyberra ), and I'll be helping you switch your guys to a more biologically appropriate diet. I love daily check-ins, but I'm aware that life gets hectic, or there's nothing to report, so every other day is perfectly fine as well, or, if something major comes up, just drop me a line and tell me you'll be MIA for awhile, I don't have a problem with that, either! After a week with no response, I'll prompt you, and after a month of no response, the thread will be vaulted (but you can always request it to be taken out of the vault at another time).

A little about me: I'm 24, and a second-year graduate student in school psychology/clinical psychology here in the wonderful state of Virginia. I love reading (mostly fantasy/sci-fi, but other genres sneak in there from time to time) and writing short stories, as well as baking; when I'm not doing school related stuff, work, or care-taking fuzzies, I'm usually found doing one of those three things. I've been a proud ferrent for six years, now, and have been feeding raw to my fuzzies for four of those years.

I currently have six ferrets: Pixie, who's 6 years, now; and then Hiko, who's 3.5-4 years old; two 3 year olds - Yogi and Sian; and two 3 month olds, Rula and Neera. I first decided to switch after doing a bit of independent research after Pixie and her brother, Yew, turned two. That was the age I was dreading as a new ferrent - it seemed so scary, as I read more and more about the illnesses that seemed to start cropping up around that age. I decided then to do everything I could to lessen my guys' risk. One of those things was getting them off of kibble and onto a more natural diet.

There are quite a few methods used for switching. For my guys, I decided to disallow kibble. Instead, I offered kibble coated boneless chicken chunks and I would supplement feed meals of baby food every few hours after the initial fasting period (Yew also got soup, made from pureed chicken meat, baby food and olive oil, because he liked it, whereas Pixie didn't).

After a bit of hair pulling, they were both switched completely, and they never looked back. Sadly, Yew's since passed away, and I eventually introduced Yogi (first) and Sian (second) as kits, and both were eating meat chunks the same night I got them. Hiko is my rescue (and suspected Waardenburg baby) who had been used to eating sugary treats like gummi bears and sugary Wal-Mart kibble. I treated him the same as the others - gave him kibble-dusted meat chunks, and he started eating them that first night. By his second evening with me, he was completely on raw. By the end of the week, he was eating bone-in. Now, he's a proud raw-eating pro, who occasionally really enjoys a frozen/thawed quail or two. Rula was the easiest switch in the world, as well, and Neera was surprising stubborn for a little kit, but after a syringe feeding session, she realized "oh hey, this stuff IS food," and then I offered her a wing tip, and she's been bone crazy ever since

So, it's possible. It might seem tedious or nerve-wracking, but we'll get your guys there, with a method that works for you *and* for them!

With babies, I always like to try two things: 1) offering plain diced boneless chicken breast (very small chunks about [-] big) and 2) another bowl of diced boneless chicken breast topped with crushed kibble (I always smashed it with a hammer )? It might take a bit, but they generally go for it if you leave them alone and let them get a bit hungry. If they seem hesitant, and if they like ferretvite, you can add ferretvite or olive oil to each (after you've left the bowls out for a bit). Just remember: babies are easy to switch, but that doesn't mean they'll fall on the food right away, they'll still be wary, so don't feel disappointed!

Feel free to do a few scruff n stuff sessions with them, but keep them short, positive, and praise-filled. If they still don't go for it in a few hours after that, don't worry! You can rinse off the bits in cool water and use it for a soup, if you don't want to throw them out

[valren]

So sorry it's taken a while to respond, i didn't realize this was here (oops!).

I tried offering them lean ground turkey meat earlier. Neither of them went for it.

I will go buy some boneless chicken breast later.

When should they start eating the wings? And should I go ahead and buy some liver as well?

We have named our babies Butters (sable) and Riku (Silver /White). I think they're about 9-10 weeks old.

Thanks for being my mentor

[Deleted]

Yeah, ground turkey can be iffy, even if with the little guys. I know when I first brought Rula home at 9 weeks, she wouldn't go for it either, but often boneless turkey breast chunks are well regarded (I like chicken breast because it is one of the blandest meats out there).

Wings will come when they are easy with chunks Depending on the fert, that's a few days to a week or two (we'll start, then, with the wing tip). You can buy a package (if you don't have any) - watch out for added "chicken broth" and steer clear of it - so you have it on hand. And yes, go ahead and get some liver. Lately I've found that these guys I've helped switch over are pretty gung ho about it from the start!

You're welcome, I'm looking forward to working with you to get your little babes switched and happy

[valren]

I got some chicken breast that I'll cut up and try tomorrow.

Been having a bit of an ordeal with a microchip hole that won't quit bleeding thats required stitches amongst many other things and just dont have the energy to attempt to switch tonight and don't want to take away his food for a few hours when he's been losing blood. So hopefully tomorrow he will be doing better and we can try to get started.

[Deleted]

Ouch, yes, we don't want to pile on the stress! Let me know know how they do when you can begin the switch

[valren]

I tried giving them cut up chicken breast. Absolutely no interest whatsoever.

Went and bought some natures variety chicken medallions. Took away food for a few hours and showed it to them. Again, no interest. So I scruffed them and put a piece in their mouths. Butters wants nothing to do with it and Riku kind of picks at it which is something at least!

Any more suggestions? lol

[Deleted]

Not new advice, just reminding you that you HAVE to stick with one method for awhile before ruling it out. Did you crush up some kibble and sprinkle it on the chicken breast (or for the more stubborn fert, roll each piece in some crushed up kibble), before giving it to them? If not, try that and see if there's a bit more interest. Try it a few sessions. Pick up kibble for a few hours, put down kibble dusted diced chicken, leave it alone and let them play and fert around like normal. A while in, if they're still just plain out ignoring it, you can scruff and stuff, praise them, and let them fert around again. You should get in two or three scruff n stuff session at one play time. You have to try it for awhile. If after a week there's no increase in interest, then we need to revisit.

(or, alternatively, you can persist with the medallions. That's up to you, but once you decide either chunks or medallions, stick with it, okay?)

[Deleted]

hi, check in?

[Deleted]

check in?