Ulrike Hassold spake thusly: Subject: Eggs a la Raw *MIME-Version: 1.0 *Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii *Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Eggs yolks can be fed raw but not the egg white unless it's cooked. There's something in the egg white that destroys Biotin. If you feed a lot of whole raw eggs, the ferret could get a Biotin deficiency. Don't know if it makes the ferret anaemic, I think it causes hair loss. I'm a bit forgetful but know you should only feed raw egg yolks or cook/ boil the egg. Ulrike''' Ulrike is correct about egg whites containing a substance that destroys biotin (actually it binds up free biotin) - its called avidin. Cooked is okay. Egg yolks raw used to be okay but since the poultry industry started using so much antibiotics in chicken feeds, there is now a more virulent (antibiotic resistant) strain of salmonella that in some cases can make its way into eggs. I would be especially careful feeding raw egg yolks to immuno-compromised or otherwise less-than-healthy ferrets or to young ferrets. For my youngsters I take kibble, add water and microwave (makes it soft with a nice gravy) . While it is still hot, I stir in an egg yolk. This thickens the gravy nicely and cooks the yolk without making it the consistancy of hard boiled egg (dry and grainy-yuck!). I also add some babyfood meat to this. BTW, only two people have taken Balsac's challenge and I haven't heard from Balsac herself. You all too busy bashing each other to help me dispose of $100? The Challenge! $5/correct weight guess up to $100 to be donated to either Balsac's vet fund or a ferret shelter. -Subject: Boris my wonder boy. He is not neutered (yet), weighed 1.1 lbs at 9 wks and 2.2 lbs at 12 weeks. What will he weigh at 16 wks?????? Weigh in on Sept. 25th. BTW, he is a hunk and deaf and clumsy but sweet as all get out. This is in contrast to his sister who is small and dark and faster than greased lighting. Max [Posted in FML issue 2793]