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Post by whipple on Feb 27, 2011 11:26:12 GMT -5
So I was wondering, primarily with whole prey, but it applies to raw as well. How much variety is minimum? I was thinking mostly cuz of the whole buying of whole prey and all that. So this is my base diet plan that I want to work into. Mon: 2 lrg mice Tues:1/2 lrg rat Wed: 1/4 small rabbit Thurs: 3 weaned mice Fri: 1 lrg mouse & 3 fuzzies Sat: 1/2 guinea pig Sun: 2 lrg adult mice She likely won't eat this much, but better more than less. Anyhow, how much would I have to vary this? I was thinking buying every month and changing it up a bit, and also going to different feeder dealers. Any advice is appreciated  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2011 11:33:15 GMT -5
The minimum is 3 proteins. I would feed the fuzzies and weaned mice more as snacks or occasional meals rather than a staple. They lack nutritional value in comparison to adult prey. More variety is always better  |
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Post by goingpostal on Feb 27, 2011 11:54:01 GMT -5
You should have 3 minimum. For your plan I would replace one mouse day with quail and do a day or two of raw for more variety. I do mostly whole prey diet, a day of guinea pigs, rats, quail, mice, and then the other days are raw, chicken, turkey, pork, or cornish game hen. Plus a few other meats I haven't fed yet will go into rotation.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 27, 2011 12:58:31 GMT -5
You do have 4 proteins there. And adding age differences is good as well. You are also getting a good deal of calcium 6 days of the week. As the others have said, more variety is better, but you've got a good working menu there  |
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Post by whipple on Feb 27, 2011 14:54:45 GMT -5
Thanks. I don't want to do quail cuz my last ferrets never touched it and it's simply hard to find where I live. It's actually easiest to do whole prey than raw, since organs are also hard to find here.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2011 15:14:04 GMT -5
Can you get whole CGH or chicken at the supermarket?
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Post by Sherry on Feb 27, 2011 15:33:34 GMT -5
Go to your local Safeway, or Co-op. They should carry them. They are in the freezer section in Safeway by the turkeys, and in Co-op by the Cornish Hens. www.tailblazersedmonton.com/index.phpThese guys should(hopefully) have some stores in Edmonton as well. That's where I get turkey hearts and you can also get turkey livers there |
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Post by whipple on Feb 27, 2011 15:50:10 GMT -5
I actually work at a safeway, and nothing except basic meat cuts. I've also tried Sobey's, IGA, ummmm there was 1 more but I forget. Anyhow, I'm gonna just start blending whole prey if my blender can take it  Maybe I should try a food processor, or a magic bullet.....hmmm. In the meantime I have 4 lbs of whole ground up chicken, and I'll also try china town or something. |
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Post by Sherry on Feb 27, 2011 15:56:24 GMT -5
Check out the locations for Tail Blazer's as well. They can usually get in whole meats for you, for reasonable prices.
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Post by whipple on Feb 27, 2011 15:57:16 GMT -5
Really? Hmm, there's one walking distance from my place. I'll go in and ask. Thanks!
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Post by whipple on Feb 27, 2011 16:11:35 GMT -5
Oh, are adult mice really more nutritious? I know there needs to be age variety, so I'll continue with that, but it was my understanding that the pinkies were the most nutritious.
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Post by sherik on Feb 27, 2011 16:55:47 GMT -5
I was under the impression that pinkies do not have the required fat.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2011 17:17:09 GMT -5
Pinkies are definitely low in calcium (which ferrets need lots of). It is always best to vary the ages, but the majority of the diet should be adults.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 27, 2011 18:29:38 GMT -5
Agreed, thanks Jackie Ferrets have a very high calcium need, which pinkies of any species don't have. Ferrets DO however, gain different nutrition from them. Which is why varying them is good. I'd feed no more than weekly at most. It's also a major treat |
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Maybe I should try a food processor, or a magic bullet.....hmmm.
