Raw/Whole Prey Diet Appreciation Thread! *graphic warning*

[satomi325]

This is a thread for those who practice or is interested in feeding raw/whole prey to their carnivorous furry friends. (Inspired by Pookie's Dog thread)
So, please feel free to share your experiences, diets, feeding process, and pictures!

*Beware, this will be a graphic thread.*


My experience:
Ferrets are obligate carnivores. They cannot digest grain, fiber, or any type of plant based material. Kibble has too much junk ferrets cannot digest.
Since switching my ferrets from kibble to whole prey, I have seen a vast improvement in body condition and overall health. They have great teeth, decreased appetite due to getting more nutrients/energy in less volume of food, less odor, less waste, more energy, more muscle mass, and softer and shinier coat (they glitter in the sun). My particular business of ferrets have been feeding on a variety of prey for the past 3 years and I couldn't be happier with their health and looks, especially with how prevalent Insulinoma is within the U.S.

Diet:
Mice, rats, rabbits, turkey, chicken, duck, quail, & freeze dried livers and meats.
I do provide a 'high quality' kibble 24/7, because I do have a strict kibble eating ferret in the group that needs to be free-fed. The rest are on whole prey. And between a nice juicy rat and a bowl of kibble, they will always choose the prey.

Feeding process:
Live, F/T, P/K depending on prey and size. I mainly feed live, but will pre-kill adult rats and rabbits for safety reasons. Poultry is given in a chick or juvi form so the ferrets can easily kill them without injury. And while I have no doubt they can take down an adult bird fine, I'd rather not risk it.



















Video of a female eating a mouse (no killing):
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=...81537988713265