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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2012 13:50:54 GMT -5
Such cuties Well, we've got the amount of bone meals up to eight, so that's really, really good! We've still got a LOT of chicken in that menu, though. Also, are the runny poos all across the board, or is it just one particular ferret?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2012 19:09:24 GMT -5
I know I'm trying my hardest to find some more bone in meals that aren't chicken but so far out of my price range >.< I will get the ox tails and pork tails though! They're across the board, and I think it might have something to do with the amount of blood in my meals, because they're like organ poops. Normally I give them the extra juices but I think i might try to avoid it now and see what happens I'll try to get a photo of Gomez cause he scooted out of the way for that one
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2012 3:57:13 GMT -5
Have you been adding in the eggshell powder (or bone meal)? It should go on definitely *everything* that doesn't have bone in it, and maybe even a few suitable bone meals. Your guys may just be ferrets that need extra (not every ferret is going to fit into the "standard requirements." Some need less, some need more).
Also, about organ - we've got liver, have we another organ (like kidney or such)?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2012 9:17:39 GMT -5
I'm actually grinding it up as I type this It's taking so long for me to get it to a powder. If I put it on and it's too lumpy they will ignore the food :/ So far we only have liver, they don't like the smell of kidney at all. I tried spleen and they wouldn't touch it. They won't even eat kidney in soupies. spleen they will if there's nothing else, I think i still have more, should I try some again?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2012 15:43:45 GMT -5
If they're eating spleen at all, then feed the spleen in the way they'll eat it. It's really just a good idea to get them a secreting organ (remember, 2 oz per ferret). If you have to break up organs into separate days, that's totally okay. Just serve the organ one meal, and then bone for another meal to help combat (as much as you can) the nasty poos. And really try to get the eggshell crushed! Mortar and pestle or coffee grinder work well (it might be worth the money to splurge and buy the grinder)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2012 23:30:14 GMT -5
At the moment im using a motar and pestle and its working OK just takes time if i do it in really small sections i can really get it powdery Today they have liver soupies with egg shell in it, and a little bit of fish oil but they're really not interested. And I know they're hungry :/ I feel bad because I want them to eat it! But I dont want to starve them. I put cut up bits of heart in it and chicken necks so maybe they'll take those and get stuck with the soup anyway. I was thinking about trying to find a coffee grinder second hand maybe for cheap Also; I baked some hearts for them in the oven, would this be ok as a treat? I plan to use them for trick training
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2012 13:22:44 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2012 6:00:14 GMT -5
I've tried scruff and stuff and it works for maybe two or three licks then they just run off. The same with spoon feeding, I get better results with spoon feeding though What about dehydrated? We got a food dehydrator today
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2012 12:08:21 GMT -5
hmm, that's interesting. There's discussion about freeze dried foods - whether to reconstitute or not, given the lack of moisture. I think the same thing applies here - lack of moisture in food is not a good thing, because it's usually the most optimal source for hydration, as well as aiding in the digestion of food. If you think about it, raw fed ferrets are hydrated up to the point of *de*hydration, meaning they tend not to get more than what they need to NOT be dehydrated, but no more. Take away any of their sources, and you're now crossing over into starting them AT the deficiency point (kibble, in cats, is hard on their bodies, for just that reason. To be *properly* hydrated on kibble, cats would basically have to spend their lives at the water bowl, and you know they don't do THAT).
All that said, I'd probably veer away from it, but I can double check with another mentor, if you want?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2012 12:10:26 GMT -5
I would just keep spoon feeding - it takes awhile for some ferrets to adjust - so that's not unusual. Just stick to a method (here, spoon feeding for best results). Changing it up too much can stress them out. And when you have the sessions, stay calm and positive, your babes will feel your stress and frustration and the whole situation will become a nightmare
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2012 5:06:04 GMT -5
Basically when I'm spoon feeding I just sit on the floor and then push the spoon under there noses so a little bit gets on their nose and the lick it off then lick the spoon instead so I'll keep doing that until they eat out of the bowl... Hmm maybe it would be best to check, I only plan to dehydrate enough for treats and I cut the hearts i use for treats up into .5cm cubes. I wouldn't have thought that that would much of a problem but now I think that maybe it would be best to check
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2012 11:58:30 GMT -5
OH, ok. For some reason, I thought you wanted to dehydrate the organs and feed as meals :\ Sorry! But yes, off I go to check!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2012 23:34:54 GMT -5
Alright, dehydrated treats are perfectly fine Enjoy using your new dehydrator!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2012 9:31:42 GMT -5
Excellent! Thank you so much for checking I will do an update tomorrow if that's ok! So tired today I'll also try the liver soupies again tomorrow with spoon feeding, apart from organ and too much chicken everything is going splendidly i think
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2012 11:46:04 GMT -5
That's great, and a day or two break won't hurt, but thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it!
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