I would just like to explain that feeding ferrets "raw" does not necessarily mean you have to feed your ferrets dead mice or chicks etc. These are wonderful for them, but some people can not handle feeding them. I feed my ferrets a raw diet consisting of chicken wings,necks, cornish hens, rabbit , quail, along with some chicken livers, chicken hearts and gizzards and the occasional raw egg yolk. I also give them salmon oil. The organs are fed in proportion to what would be in the animal. The cornish hens and rabbit etc are cut into pieces and then I put several pieces in small plastic bags, freeze, and thaw as needed. To give you an idea of how large a piece they can handle once they are used to eating raw, they can eat a whole chicken wing without me having to cut it and yes the raw bones are wonderful for them. It is cooked bones that are harmful to animals. When you hear the term "raw meaty bones" it simply means giving them a piece of raw meat with the bone in it. Eating the bones and eating large pieces of meat keeps their teeth incredibly clean. I never have to have their teeth cleaned as I had to do in the past with my kibble fed ferrets. When I first started feeding this, I always worried about them getting sick, the meat going bad etc. I feed them in the bathtub when they are downstairs and they have a feeding box when they are upstairs, like a rice digging box except it is only for their meat. They eat twice a day as a rule. The meat can be left out for about 12 hours or so. I know, that sounds incredible! Freaked me out at first too! Once in a while they do sneak a piece of meat to a stashing place if I am not looking {they are free roam by the way}. Sometimes by the time I find it it is pretty rotten, but they will not eat it. They are not stupid. And to the people who think feeding raw and or prey is gross and cruel to the animals, what the heck do you think is in your ferret kibble? You think no animals were killed for that? At least the mice and chicks are killed humanely. Did I mention that I myself am a vegetarian? But I love my ferrets enough to provide them with what I believe is best for them. If anyone has any questions about raw feeding, feel free to email me. Wishing all your ferrets long and healthy lives. Inge [Posted in FML 5399]