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Post by Heather on Nov 10, 2011 16:12:09 GMT -5
Name: Kimber HF Forum Username: OpalRaven7 1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets? My friend feeds her ferrets raw. 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 will not be feeding whole or live prey (not a good idea as I own many small animals and would not want to encourage Flower to hunt them lol) I want to do raw, ideally a full switch but Im unsure of whether or not I want to limit Flowers eating to only 2 meals a day... she is so skinny right now.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
It is the best thing for her and I have seen raw diet work miracles for my friends ferrets. They are in absolutely amazing condition and health!
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 I have decided to make the commitment
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?
One, Flower- approx. 4 yrs, female. No known health problems other than her being very skinny (1 lb 3 oz.) I got her on Nov 1st, 2011 so Ill have had her for one week tomorrow lol
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Evo Ferret, I have tried giving her freeze dried chicken treats but she doesnt like them yet.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
Other than the freeze dried chicken not yet..
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I own many animals and also rescue small animals. I try and give each animal the best care I can to each ones specific needs and am constantly researching an improving my animals lives. I also spend way more money on my animals than myself which could possibly be why I never have money I am going to community college for Biology and this is my last year (FINALLY). I love to learn anything I can about animals.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
I have the proboards app for my pohone so ALL THE TIME!
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Jackie) 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. Also note there may have been some changes in the application and how you should post so please review these before proceeding. If you have any questions feel free to either ask your mentor or any of the admins. 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
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 16:24:55 GMT -5
Hello there!! Here's a little about me Name: Jackie HF User Name: Jackie Location: West Coast, Florida About Me: Hello! I'm Jackie I am 19 and a senior in college, working on my B.A. in Chemistry/Biology I am about to start writing my thesis, which I am really nervous/excited/anxious to do My goal in life is to become a neonatologist (sick baby doctor). After I graduate I am taking a year off to get myself together before I start med school (hopefully) in 2013. My favorite color is..... pink My favorite food is.... Pizza My favorite holiday is... My birthday My favorite hobby is... Couponing. I am an avid couponer :-D I started to try to save some money, and now I am completely hooked! I like to listen to...all music. I love music from all genres, rap, rock, hip-hop, pop, country. I don't discriminate I collect... Health and beauty products. Ever since I started couponing, I started collecting high end health and beauty products. I have a collection of about 200 shampoo/conditioner/styling products/bodywash/razors/toothpaste This list goes on and on actually Something about me you might be suprised to know... When I was 10 years old (thought I was invincible) I climbed four stories up a large banyan tree. After reaching the top I joked about jumping down, and before I even started my desent, the branch I was standing on broke and I fell four stories down. I was knocked unconscious and rushed to the hospital (my parents terrified). After numerous tests, they found out that... Nothing was wrong I had a bleeding on the brain, and a bruised pelvic bone but nothing else. Nothing serious. I was actually able to go home a couple days later. It was a wake up call to be more cautious and appreciate life, and live it to the fullest. I became a mentor because... I am really passionate about feeding raw and have seen first hand the benefits it has. If I can personally help someone give their fuzzy a better diet, then I am more than happy About My Ferrets: I have three beautiful female ferrets. Pixie: Is my soul ferrets, my sidekick, my partner in crime. I got her at 8 weeks old and we've been inseparable since. She is 2.5 years old now. Pixie is super spoiled, and switching her to raw was the hardest. But, she eats whole chunks like a pro now and is as healthy as can be! She had a blockage scare about 1.5 years ago that she thankfully passed on her own. Pixie follows me everywhere, licking my toes, ankles and socks. I <3 her. Trixie: One day, Pixie had escaped. She had somehow gotten out of the house. I searched for her for all day and into the night. No luck. I made posters and prayed that she would be found alive and okay. I am so heartbroken I cannot even explain it. I thought she was gone forever. To help me overcome the grief I was feeling, my boyfriend brought me to the pet store to pick out a ferret. I didn't really want to even look at another ferret, but he told me that when we DO find Pixie, she needed a friend so she doesn'’t want to escape so much. So I picked out a beautiful little champagne girl, who I named Trixie. Pixie was found the next day and even since then, they've been the best of buddies. Trixie is now almost 2 and is a bit... slow. But she is beautiful, fluffy, and hilarious She is extremely docile and enjoys being held and petted. Trixie was not the easiest switch, but definitely easier than Pixie Dixie: She is my latest addition. I saw her at the store and she was the most adorable thing ever with her dark little nose and endearing personality. She is CRAZY! She is about 8 months old and is just as insane as the first day I brought her home. She acts like she is on crack or something She is constantly moving, moving, moving! She was the easiest to switch to raw and took to it instantly She has no manners, climbs all over people and their face She is the instigator of the group. While Pixie would prefer to play with me and Trixie would prefer to stash socks and eggs, Dixie gets the party started and I love her for that About My Natural Feeding Experience: I started feeding raw over a year ago. I first started with freeze dried raw. My girls took to it instantly. I saw SO much improvement in my two (Pixie and Trixie at the time) that I never looked back. After feeding that for approx. 6 months, I realized that it was killing my pocketbook. I decided I wanted to try to incorporate whole meats from the grocery store to cut costs. Pixie was very stubborn to accept chunks because she absolutely LOVES soup. But it seemed like one day she just started eating chunks, and we were switched! Type of mentor: Freeze-dried Raw, Commercial Raw, & Frankenprey Specialty: Younger fuzzies and stubborn fuzz butts
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 16:30:02 GMT -5
So I'm assuming you have all the ingredients necessary for a balanced raw soup? Soup for switch: 8oz chicken(or other meat) One chicken liver(or 2oz other liver) 2 chicken hearts(or 1oz other heart) 1/2 tsp eggshell powder If so, I'd like for you to make a soup for your baby, and blend to the consistency of watery yogurt. Take their kibble away for about 2-3 hours between you feed the soup. Then gently pick one up (with a towel) and try to get them to taste the soup. Some take to it right away and will happily lick the soup from a finger, spoon or bowl. Others will need some gentle convincing. You can hold your finger close to their mouth and see if they will lick it off. You can also dab it on their nose and see if they will lick it off. If they still refuse, relax, let them go and try again in 5-10 minutes. If they continue to refuse, you can blend in some of their kibble. To do this, soak the kibble in hot water for about 15 minutes and then blend in. Repeat the same procedure above and let me know how it goes. It would also be helpful if you could outline exactly what style of raw you'd like to feed. Commercially prepared raw, freeze dried raw, grocery store meats, etc. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, but knowing now will help me to guide your baby in that direction faster I look forward to working with you and your baby!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 16:33:53 GMT -5
Also, every Sunday (or Monday, whatever is easier) I will need a weekly update from you. Please copy/paste this very short questionnaire into your switching thread every Sunday/Monday. 1. Ferret's name: 2. Ferret's weight: 3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal. 4. Stools on various proteins. 5. Activity levels: 6. Weekly menu: Example would be: Vincent, 3lbs 2oz(1417g), small chicken wing chopped into 2" pieces, bone and all. Stools good colour and consistency. Played as per normal. Willow, 1lb 4oz(567g), 2 tbsp commercial raw turkey, hand fed. Stools good colour and consistency. Very hyper when up, playing for 2-3 hours at a time. Mr. Frodo, 4lb 4oz(1928g), 1/4c pork slivers mixed with soup. Stools slightly loose, somewhat seedy, and pale in colour. Somewhat more tired, plays for 30 minutes, then finds somewhere to sleep. Flat ferreting more often. Weekly menu was: Monday: chicken legs Tuesday: Commercial raw Wednesday: Soup with pork slivers Etc. Just write what you actually fed them. I would also appreciate a picture of your baby before we get started that can show the weight and size of your fuzz (like this -> holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4342). I would greatly appreciate a picture of your baby every 2 weeks. Until we get past the soup stage, I will need a post every 2 days. Please please PLEASE let me know if you are going out of town or cannot post. I am more than happy to work with you and your schedule, I just need to be informed
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 20:20:41 GMT -5
Well I don't have eggshell powder yet but have egg shells to crush... Also I got a pack of heart and gizzards and can't tell one from the other lol
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 20:26:48 GMT -5
Ok I think I figured it out, the hearts are the little pieces about 1" long...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 21:55:03 GMT -5
Well I don't have eggshell powder yet but have egg shells to crush... Also I got a pack of heart and gizzards and can't tell one from the other lol Okay, so just make sure the eggshells are dry and clean. You can then grind them in a coffee grinder, blender, or with a mortar and pestle. This is what a chicken heart looks like This is what a chicken gizzard looks like Normally, those packages of gizzards & hearts contain VERY few hearts, so it would be great if you could find a package of pure heart (doesn't have to be chicken - it can be beef, pork, turkey, etc).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2011 18:13:00 GMT -5
Yup got them figured out. I just took her kibble away so I will go give it a try in 2 hrs and let you know how it goes! Can I use the giblets for anything? I am going to bring her to work tomorrow with me to see if she has gained any weight since she was weighed at the vet last saturated... I think she has but I might just be wishful thinking lol
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2011 18:14:07 GMT -5
This is what she looks like, it is soo hard to get a good pic lol
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2011 18:15:51 GMT -5
This is her "why'd ya wake me up" look, which is always followed by "Ohh doors open, let's play!!"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2011 18:23:41 GMT -5
Oh, and I'm probably going to do a commercial raw like bravo or natures variety, and of course supplement the nessecary. If she likes chunked meat though I would give her that as a treat every now and then since I wouldn't have that on hand daily. I would love to do a freeze dried diet as that would be easiest for me since I have limited freezer space but that is very expensive. What is frankenprey?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2011 19:03:27 GMT -5
Yup got them figured out. I just took her kibble away so I will go give it a try in 2 hrs and let you know how it goes! Can I use the giblets for anything? I am going to bring her to work tomorrow with me to see if she has gained any weight since she was weighed at the vet last saturated... I think she has but I might just be wishful thinking lol Great That sounds awesome This is what she looks like, it is soo hard to get a good pic lol That pic is great, exactly what we need, thanks This is her "why'd ya wake me up" look, which is always followed by "Ohh doors open, let's play!!" AWWW, what a cutie pie! She has such a cute sweet face Oh, and I'm probably going to do a commercial raw like bravo or natures variety, and of course supplement the nessecary. If she likes chunked meat though I would give her that as a treat every now and then since I wouldn't have that on hand daily. I would love to do a freeze dried diet as that would be easiest for me since I have limited freezer space but that is very expensive. What is frankenprey? Well, commercial raw and freeze dried are pretty similar in price. Commercial frozen might be slightly cheaper, but not too much. Feeding a single ferret freeze dried is not TOO expensive, probably around $30-$40 a month (depending on the cost of freeze dried you buy). Your baby will probably eat a TON at the beginning, so your initial cost does not necessarily reflect what you will spend after the first couple months. Your baby will also eat more in the winter and less in the summer (sometimes even half as much) so that is something to consider too. Frankenprey is just raw meats from various animals (hence the "fraken") that are combined to meet the ferrets needs. So its just your regular grocery store meats, organs, hearts. One thing you can do is feed raw meats in the morning or evening, and leave freeze dried in her cage during the day for snacking. All of these feeding style can be combined and mixed to meet your needs. I would check out casey's hidden pantry (http://www.caseyshiddenpantry.com/) and see how much the freeze dried costs and if it can fit into your budget. When I fed freeze dried, they ate approximately 1-2 patties a day. You also need to buy at least 3 different proteins, and rotate between them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2011 20:03:38 GMT -5
OK so I am very much encouraged right now! first I held the spoon to her nose in case she was interested... She wasnt lol, so I scruffed her(which she hates) and put some on her nose, and accidentally all over her chin in the process lol and let her go, all she did was shake her head but not try to lick it off her nose. So, I scruffed her again and stuck my finger in the grossness (raw meat grosses be out BTW lol) and stuck my finger under her lips and rubbed it on her teeth(she wouldnt open her mouth lol) well she licked it then, so I did it again, she licked it again, then I stuck my finger in the soup and put it in front of her mouth while she was still licking, and she licked it off my finger! So I did that again, and then I put the spoon in place of my finger and she lapped up almost a whole spoonful!! WHile she was lapping it off the spoon I slowly released my hold on her scruff, and when she scampered away I let her go since she was a good girl and ate off the spoon Then she proceeded to rub her chin all over the rug lol, IDK if that was because I mad a mess of her chin or because she ate something new lol, but I will go try another spoonful in a few minutes!! Im so happy for her!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2011 20:33:09 GMT -5
So, I scruffed her again and stuck my finger in the grossness (raw meat grosses be out BTW lol) and stuck my finger under her lips and rubbed it on her teeth(she wouldnt open her mouth lol) well she licked it then, so I did it again, she licked it again, then I stuck my finger in the soup and put it in front of her mouth while she was still licking, and she licked it off my finger! So I did that again, and then I put the spoon in place of my finger and she lapped up almost a whole spoonful! That is wonderful! Great job!!!!! WHile she was lapping it off the spoon I slowly released my hold on her scruff, and when she scampered away I let her go since she was a good girl and ate off the spoon It might take a couple times/days of repeating this before she realizes "Hmm, this stuff is yummy!" Then she proceeded to rub her chin all over the rug lol, IDK if that was because I mad a mess of her chin or because she ate something new lol, but I will go try another spoonful in a few minutes!! Im so happy for her! Mine ALWAYS wipe their faces after eating (even if they weren't messy). Keep feeding her spoonfuls until she seems resistant. Try to keep track of how much she ate (if possible). As for the grossness of meat, I was the same way. Even touching raw meat grossed me out (I wasn't much of a cook so I rarely touched meat). It took a while to get used to and some meats still gross me out (chicken fat, liver, beef heart) but you definitely get used to it. Also, if you can find some (this is the season for it) try to find some pure canned pumpkin (just pumpkin, not pie filling, no sugar). This is a good daily supplement (though not 100% necessary), especially for the beginning of the switch. It adds fiber to the stools and bulks them up a bit. During the beginning of the switch, you should expect funky stools, ranging from wet and loose, to green and seedy. This is okay. The pumpkin usually helps keep these things under control very well. You can also add some extra eggshell if you still have loose/watery stools. Feeding raw is not an exact science, and you can usually tell what they need by looking at the stools. Stools too loose? Add some pumpkin and/or extra eggshell/bone Stools too hard/constipation? Reduce eggshell and/or pumpkin intake.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2011 20:39:18 GMT -5
Ok well I had another go at it and she ate 1/2 spoon this time. I actually already have pumkin, how much should I give her and how often? Should I just mix it in the soup?
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