Feeding Elk

[m1charpie]

Disclaimer! I tried to search for "Elk", "Elk meat", ect.. but it removed the term elk because it was shorter than four letters!

My dad is a big hunter and as a result a have a freezer full of elk, lucky me! I only eat game when I have it so I have no store bought meat sitting around at the moment.

I want to do my first experiment with raw, my youngest ferret is 5-6 months old and my oldest is very open to trying new foods as long as I feed her from my hand so I think this just may work.

My question is this: Is game meat safe for ferrets, especially as their first tastes of raw? I have been eating the meat and I'm just fine but I have been eating it cooked. The elk itself was an old bull, he was actually the biggest elk harvested in the state that year! Fish and Wildlife deemed him fit to eat but that is, of course, under the assumption that it was cooked.

Would it be better to bake small bits of the meat and offer it as treats for now so that they can get the taste of meat and then purchase other meat/feeder food later if they take to it? Is it safe to offer raw chunks of this elk as treats? Should I just not do it? Any advice will be appreciated!

[Deleted]

May 23, 2012 18:31:23 GMT -5 @m1charpie said:

My question is this: Is game meat safe for ferrets, especially as their first tastes of raw? I have been eating the meat and I'm just fine but I have been eating it cooked. The elk itself was an old bull, he was actually the biggest elk harvested in the state that year! Fish and Wildlife deemed him fit to eat but that is, of course, under the assumption that it was cooked.

Game meat is fine. I believe it should be frozen in a deep freeze for 2-3 weeks before feeding

[Heather]

Go for it. I would if I had access. I feed elk, through a commercial grind that I use. We only suggest chicken because it's an easily accessible, mild meat.
ciao

[Sherry]

If there was anything wrong with the elk(ie: wasting disease), it would have also affected people when cooked as well. Like Jackie said- as long as it's been frozen for 2-3 weeks in a deep freeze to kill off potential parasites, it's fine.

[goingpostal]

It's fine to feed although hard to say if they like it or not, it's a stronger taste I imagine. Mine hate venison raw but they will eat it freezedried.

[m1charpie]

Thanks everyone! I'm thawing a little bit of it right now. We'll see how it goes, no harm in trying.

[m1charpie]

Good news! Fiona DEVOURED the elk. At first she was was a little hesitant but when I offered some ground up elk gruel from my finger tips she gave it a taste. After that she was willing to take some from a spoon. Finally, I put the rest in a little dish and she just went to town before turning around and sitting her little butt in it. Maybe saving some for later? Silly girl.

Finn on the other hand, he just sat there and looked miserable. He did lick it when I dabbed it on his nose but he wouldn't take it directly from my fingers. Oh well, I think he'll come around. He wasn't totally disgusted.

Our border collie was also very happy to eat the grizzle while I cut it up. Overall, 2/3 pets happy for the night. Success!

It was so encouraging! I ended up grinding the rest and freezing it in an ice cube tray for later. If Fiona likes it that much then who am I to stop her?

[Sherry]

Oh that is fantastic!!! With Finn, just keep dabbing his nose with it over and over while he's out playing. Shouldn't take too long before he's taking it as well

[Heather]

That's great. Even with wee Finn. The fact that he let you dab his nose and didn't run away gagging and retching (I've had that on an initial try ) Looking good
ciao

[Deleted]

That's wonderful! Little Fiona knows what's up ;D

[crabbyoreo]

Elk sounds interesting. Wish I had some