day old chicks

[Funfuret 1]

Ok novice question here but... isn't there something about DoC's that causes hair loss (or some other problems) in ferrets? don't know where I heard but so thought I'd better ask...

 

I think people worry because chicks still have a yolk sac, and raw egg white contain a protein (avidin) that binds and inhibits a vitamin (biotin). The egg white has mainly been broken down however by the time the chick is born, but if you're worried you can pierce the egg sac and squeeze it's contents out before giving the chicks to the ferrets.

 

Chicks still have quite a lot of cartilage relative to bone but they are unlikely to cause problems if you are giving them plenty of meat on the bone as well.

 

My gang mob me when it's chicks for supper

Edited October 12, 2008 by Funfuret

[The one 8,460]

This has been raised before all your giving your ferrets is a egg and the fluff on them can irritate the ferrets throat

[stubby 175]

I have kept ferrets from around the age of 14, in those early days I also had kestrel's and barn owls, therefore the ferrets at that time were fed the same, dead day old chicks, dry food was'ent available or heard of back then, and I never ferreted rabbits, or gave other foods, yet most of my fert, lived to ages of 6yrs plus

 

only time I had a fert die, was a jill had come into season, while I was on holiday with the school, and those left to look after them, fed them, but did'nt clean cage, and infection had got her via the vulva

 

as for "fluff" in the throat, how does that differ from rabbit fur

[The one 8,460]

got it from james Mckay ? the guy that says he's head of the british ferret whatever

[Funfuret 1]

Mine get half a chick each, 2 out of 3 days, and raw meat on the bone ( usually chicken or rabbit) every 3rd day. Biscuits 24/7. All 10 have just been to the vet for their check up and vaccination and, though aged between 2 to 9, they were all passed as fit and a good weight (but not fat) .

 

Seems that as part of a mixed diet, chicks don't seem to be doing my gang any harm

 

Despite not being a raw meat and bone fan, the vet had to admit they all had a good set of teeth as well

[bhawk 64]

i used to use a lot of day old chicks for them as i always had them in stock, although i warn you not to use honeybrook chicks as the condition of them can be appalling, i would suggest getting in touch with a hatchery and getting them from there, theyre a lot fresher and also much cheaper!

[andy s410c 59]

I feed my 5 on DOC's at least 3 days of the week.They'll get rabbit,chicken wings,pet mince,ox heart to keep them on a varied diet.I always remove the yolk sack,i'm paying £12 a box at the moment but i'm sure they'll go up in price just like everything else......

[bhawk 64]

i feed day old chicks most of the time and never harmed my ferrets i buy from honey brook farm in bulk of 45-50 boxs with 250 in a box get them for £5.90 a box as we buy bulk and once a month we also but guinipigs rats mice of them

 

i never feed dry food and the ferts only get some thing other then chicks when i have been out with the shot gun or when i buy braces of phesants in shoot seson

 

feeding chicks in summer is good to as you can give them a couple as reqierd and not worry a bout maggots as every thing is eaten

 

ring hony brook farm and see how much they are but £12 mate thats haveing your pants off sorry to tell you

 

even honeybrook are a rip off, they go for £20 for 1500 at the hatcheries! (i think cant remember of the top of me head but its around that)