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Post by Sherry on Dec 27, 2011 11:21:31 GMT -5
Oh- and how is the bf with the raw diet? I know he wasn't a fan of the idea originally ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2011 11:32:01 GMT -5
What he doesn't know won't hurt him? Actually he was with me at the store when I asked about my heart order. He asked me what they were for and I said Loki. He made a face but didn't say anything. He's also quit reminding me that his other food bowls are out of kibbles. He knows I'm doing it, I know he isn't sold on the idea, but we both know how great Loki is doing on it so no one can complain. About whole prey... can I just toss a f/t pinkie in his bowl and see how it goes? Live prey is not something I'm comfortable with (I had to feed my brothers pythons once, told him someone else could pet-sit next time cuz they would starve if I had to do that again) Should I chunk it up? Also, working on a menu, just dont think I'm smart enough yet LOL ~Kelli
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Post by Sherry on Dec 27, 2011 16:29:02 GMT -5
There's no reason you even have to feed frozen/thawed whole prey if you don't want to He'll do fine without it I do simply because mine like it so much. If you ARE going to feed frozen/thawed, mix the pinkies in with his regular meat at first.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2012 8:49:49 GMT -5
Sherry, I haven't forgotten about this - I'm just slammed right now with the new job! I'll work on a menu and post it soon, promise!
Also, Loki is off his feeds. He's apparently tantruming around the house after I'm gone for longer than 6 hours, SO said he gets reaaaally naughty. When I get home he smells me from head to toe and curls up on my lap. So I figured the not eating so well is for the same reason. He's still eating but only about half his normal.
~Kelli
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Post by Sherry on Jan 3, 2012 9:06:48 GMT -5
What a brat! Do you just LOVE ferrety temper tantrums It's like dealing with a 2yr old ;D Anyway- do so when you can. And his decrease in appetite is just about the right time They eat like pigs for anywhere from 1-3 months when first transitioning, then cut down to about 1/2, and that's the normal amount they'll eat til next winter again
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2012 13:07:48 GMT -5
I think you were right about the natural decrease, yesterday was my first day off and he ate 2 ozs all day. I'm going to cutback what I put in his bowl so there is less waste. He's also forgiven me for being gone so much and will play with me again. A few more days of 12hr shifts and then I will be on my regular schedule and everything should be smoother for him.
Here is the menu I've been working on. My butcher still can't source the hearts I asked for (I keep getting promised they are "on the next truck") so I'm contacting my back up butcher this week. Im almost out of my stashed hearts in the freezer.
Monday: Chicken Thighs/Chicken Chunks Tuesday: Duck Legs/Turkey Chunks Wednesday: Pork Chunks/FD Thursday: FD & Heart soup Friday: Chicken legs/Thighs Saturday: Organ & Heart soup (New protein day if I can find it) Sunday: Duck breast/Turkey breast
No wings, Loki thinks they are a chew treat, he stashes em until they are jerky. So I give them as a treat. All leg/thigh bones are smashed with a hammer, he prefers them over smaller bones. He goes for the marrow first, happy hissing the whole time.
Hows it look to you?
~Kelli
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Post by Sherry on Jan 7, 2012 15:53:31 GMT -5
Still low on bone. Including the freeze dried, you've only got maximum 6 bone meals. And that's if he eats all the bone from all the legs and thighs. It should be more like 8-9. Problem is ferrets do have a high calcium need. Even if they don't think so. They tend to be very lazy eaters if given the chance ;D Do you think if you chopped wings up that he'd eat them then?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2012 0:19:38 GMT -5
I should have been more clear, altho I dont know if it will make a difference. The meat/meat is for all day (like AM and PM meals on monday is chicken thighs and chicken chunks both) I can reduce the amounts of chunks and use breasts with ribs if that would be better? He's not super fond of smaller bones but maybe if I mix it in with the larger bones he'll eat it happily.
So: Monday: Chicken Thighs/Chicken ribs/backs Tuesday: Duck Legs/Turkey or Duck ribs/backs Wednesday: Pork Chunks and poultry necks/FD Thursday: FD & Heart soup Friday: Chicken legs/Thighs Saturday: Organ & Heart soup (New protein day if I can find it) Sunday: Duck breast/Turkey breast
Hows that look?
~Kelli
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Post by Sherry on Jan 8, 2012 12:18:23 GMT -5
I see what you're getting at Okay, I'm going to have Heather pop in and take a look!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2012 3:22:37 GMT -5
Ok Im actually off work for the next two whole days so I should be available more. Thanks Sherry! ~Kelli
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 10:32:45 GMT -5
Just checking in. Loki doesn't want to eat the smaller bones, I keep finding them picked clean and tossed to the side. I'm going to try smashing them into oblivion and see if he'll eat them then. The bigger bones he loves and leaves nothing behind, even the big nobby ends, then again the hammer really breaks them up to between pea to marble sized. Yesterday I sat down in class and realized I had a chunk of marrow on my shoe... My back up butcher is now working on my heart order too. If nothing happens soon I'm going to buy whole chickens, we eat them anyway ourselves too. ~Kelli
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Post by Heather on Jan 12, 2012 11:30:48 GMT -5
Congratulations you've graduated and you're ready to walk this path alone, now. You have the foundation to help you feed your fuzzes in a more natural and healthy manner. Please remember that your learning never stops, and dietary needs change from ferret to ferret (as I'm sure you are more than aware of) and throughout each their lives. I would also like you to be aware that though you now have the capability and the knowledge to create and adjust your little ones diets, you are never alone and that your mentor (you need only pm) is always available to you. The list is also a very good resource and you should always be aware that it's available to answer any questions you may have either about diet or care. I noticed that you are having problems sourcing hearts, perhaps getting some taurine supplement might be a good idea. Try not to rely on the supplement but it will mean you can safely go without the heart. If your wee one can tolerate it, sometimes beef hearts are more easily accessible. Good luck, in a few days either Sherry or I will lock down this thread. If you wish to update your menu do so now as it will be viewed and can be used by yourself and many others at any time as a reference tool but once it gets locked down you will not be able to post or change it. Your mentor will be in to congratulate you shortly . Congratulations again ciao
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2012 12:44:06 GMT -5
Doink, completely forgot about Taurine suppliments! Thanks Heather! And WooHoo!!! So proud of my little boy! He made it easy on me ~Kelli
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