Feeding

[jpt 285]

I have got just the one ferret and I feed her on lambs liver from tesco or sometimes the kidneys they do. Is this ok? I have put rabbit and phesant in for her but she doesnt touch it. If I give her small birds or mice she does eat them. Is it because I am putting to much in for her and she is saving it because there is loads? Any advice would be great, cheers. JPT

[lone wolf 0]

if you give her a full pheasant then you are giving to much by far,liver is ok but only now and again you must be careful of liver fluke.i feed mine parts of the rabbits i get in the winter and dried feed in the summer,this is to help keep smells and flies down in the hotter periods.all the best with her

 

 

[Guest ferreting king]

dont give her liver all the time now and agin and a whole phesent would feed the world of ferrets. feed small bits of the phesent and when she finishes them feed more parts

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Second time tonight: All 'Small Birds' are Fully Protected under British Law. So, unless you're living outside of UK or using budgies or something, I'd respectfully suggest ye screw ye loaf.

 

All else said above is sound. With the (personal) exceptions that ye might try feeding the carcasses last thing at night, during the summer. Flys sod off for the night. As long as it's fresh, no ammount of summer should bother food fed at night. They eat it before it goes bad and ferrets tend to avoid tainted flesh anyway.

 

Rabbits heads are actually a good, 'all round' diet for ferrets. Especially single ferrets. Have ye not got a Real butchers in the area? Tame rabbits heads are as good as any. Chickens heads too - with the feathers on.

 

Basicly, ye ferret needs to ingest flesh, bone, fur and or feather. Just look at its shit. If it's black, quite hard and shiney, whithout being gooey, it's cool. Greenish or runny shit? Your " Little Gem's " days will be numbered.

 

Avoid ALL American books about ferrets and ye shouldn't go Too far wrong.

[stubby 175]

there have been quite a few of late, with the question

 

"Ive got a single fert, what can I feed it on"

 

maybe Im just getting old, but Ive kept animals/birds since I was around 10yrs old, and was ALWAYS told before aquiring any pet, to go get some books on it, read them from cover to cover, and then again, ask loads of keepers/fanciers questions, and then, if your fully confident on how to look after it, get it

 

this last week Ive read a few different posts, all from people who already have a fert..

asking;

 

what do I put on the floor of hutch!!!!!

 

what shall I feed it on!!!

 

Ive only got 1 and that will do

 

doe's nobody READ anymore, or is it that ferrets can be picked up so cheap, that the attitude has become, oh well if it dies it only cost a tenner

 

sorry to rant on, but all of these questions should not have been asked in the first place, they should have been read

 

for the last 6 months Ive fancied getting a lurcher, something with saluki in its make-up,

have I got one.......NO

because Id feel I was letting the animal down, unless I know all I can on them,

 

or shall I get one and then stick up post's asking

what shall I feed it?

how many walks a day?

 

 

rant over

[Guest Frank]

Well said stubby.

 

Frank.

Edited January 5, 2007 by Frank

[Kay 3,709]

there have been quite a few of late, with the question

 

"Ive got a single fert, what can I feed it on"

 

maybe Im just getting old, but Ive kept animals/birds since I was around 10yrs old, and was ALWAYS told before aquiring any pet, to go get some books on it, read them from cover to cover, and then again, ask loads of keepers/fanciers questions, and then, if your fully confident on how to look after it, get it....

 

rant over

 

I totally agree, there is enough good material out there books & some good sites who will put most people right, i do agree with DS on not getting American books on ferrets though, there way of keeping ferrets is nothing like it is here, i mean they neuter them & de sent them at around 5 weeks old, at least Marshallls ferret farm do

 

I dont think you can go wrong feeding rabbit Etc

[Guest Wardrobe]

New to the forums but for my two peneth worth I totally agree-do your reasearch!

As a footnote I feed mine on day old chicks available frozen from any decent pet store-keep the ferrets coats and teeth in good nick due to the calcium in the bones-no smell either as they don't hang around for long!

[The Ferret Tamer 1]

I agree with DS stay away from the Yanks ideas, but so far no one has mentioned the complete dry foods available.

I appreciate not all ferret keepers have a ready supply of fur & feather and complete is an acceptable substitute.

 

Regards FT

East Coast Ferret Rescue.

[bullsmilk 2]

New to the forums but for my two peneth worth I totally agree-do your reasearch!

As a footnote I feed mine on day old chicks available frozen from any decent pet store-keep the ferrets coats and teeth in good nick due to the calcium in the bones-no smell either as they don't hang around for long!

i did hear that there can be alot of chemicals in them chicks?????

[jpt 285]

Thanks for the feedback lads. I will sort it out!

 

JPT

[stubby 175]

I used to feed mine the day old chicks many years ago, as I had falcons too so it made sense, but I would suggest anyone using these for their ferts as a food, to cut out the yolk sac inside them, as otherwise its like feeding them an egg every day