Post by Heather on Jan 30, 2012 1:47:44 GMT -5
Name: Lois
HF Forum Username: Gracefuzz
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
The ferret rescue (that I got my ferrets from)
The internet (general research)
Ferrets Forum (uk)
Ferretlove.co.uk
Ferrets for Dummies (2nd ed.)
Old HFF forum (as a guest)
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 fully switch to a raw diet of 'Franken prey' ie, not whole prey.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Research on the fillers, carbs and rubbish, vegetables, preservatives and overall low volume of quality/human grade meat and protein in commercially available ferret kibble has opened my eyes.I dont want to ignorantly feed my ferrets something they will survive on, I want them to thrive on what they are supposed 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?
100% 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?
3
No health problems
Shadow, Jill, approx. 2 1/2, at average weight(?), owned for 6months.
Beanie, Jill, approx. 1 1/2, slightly underwight, owned for 6 months.
Bingo, Hob,very small, approx. 5 months, at average weight(?), owned for 2 weeks, 1 day.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
main diet:
A mixture of
Supreme Science Selective (1:5)
James Wellbeloved Ferret Complete (1:5)
Applaws kitten/cat dry 80% chicken (3:5)
supplemented with:
Raw Beef Mince (2 chunks each every night for the last week so far)
Egg (without shell)-rare treat
Cooked chicken-rare treat
Applaws wet 75% chicken pouch (as of yesterday, and today)
Purely 100% chicken dried treats
Ferretone and Beaphar Malt paste (nail trimming, rubbed on Mince to encourage eating)
Price Choice Rabbit dinner (pet mince- tried few times, still in freezer)
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, I have tried to supplement their diet with some success and some failure- ie one ferret refuses 80% of the time.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I'm a student so (haven't got bags of money)would appreciate tips etc to lessen wastage and find good deals on quality food.
My ferrets live outside, and have both outdoor and indoor playtime.
My ferrets all come from a Rescue and as such I know little about their care prior to living with me.
My Jills have been spayed but my hob will be castrated in the next few weeks.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
24/7
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 (Carpetshark) 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
HF Forum Username: Gracefuzz
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
The ferret rescue (that I got my ferrets from)
The internet (general research)
Ferrets Forum (uk)
Ferretlove.co.uk
Ferrets for Dummies (2nd ed.)
Old HFF forum (as a guest)
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 fully switch to a raw diet of 'Franken prey' ie, not whole prey.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Research on the fillers, carbs and rubbish, vegetables, preservatives and overall low volume of quality/human grade meat and protein in commercially available ferret kibble has opened my eyes.I dont want to ignorantly feed my ferrets something they will survive on, I want them to thrive on what they are supposed 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?
100% 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?
3
No health problems
Shadow, Jill, approx. 2 1/2, at average weight(?), owned for 6months.
Beanie, Jill, approx. 1 1/2, slightly underwight, owned for 6 months.
Bingo, Hob,very small, approx. 5 months, at average weight(?), owned for 2 weeks, 1 day.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
main diet:
A mixture of
Supreme Science Selective (1:5)
James Wellbeloved Ferret Complete (1:5)
Applaws kitten/cat dry 80% chicken (3:5)
supplemented with:
Raw Beef Mince (2 chunks each every night for the last week so far)
Egg (without shell)-rare treat
Cooked chicken-rare treat
Applaws wet 75% chicken pouch (as of yesterday, and today)
Purely 100% chicken dried treats
Ferretone and Beaphar Malt paste (nail trimming, rubbed on Mince to encourage eating)
Price Choice Rabbit dinner (pet mince- tried few times, still in freezer)
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, I have tried to supplement their diet with some success and some failure- ie one ferret refuses 80% of the time.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I'm a student so (haven't got bags of money)would appreciate tips etc to lessen wastage and find good deals on quality food.
My ferrets live outside, and have both outdoor and indoor playtime.
My ferrets all come from a Rescue and as such I know little about their care prior to living with me.
My Jills have been spayed but my hob will be castrated in the next few weeks.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
24/7
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 (Carpetshark) 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