From:
Jen Phillips
Date: 2002-01-06 21:50:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Digest Number 543
Hi everyone,
I don't join in on conversation very much (although I do read the list),
and I wanted to get in on the topic of photoperiods. A while back I had
posted about using red lighting at night for the furkids, so that we can
see them at night, but not expose them to too much light. We have had the
red light in their room for over a month, and our fuzzies have since gotten
wonderful full coats (which wasn't the case before the red light).
Now, after reading the messages about photoperiods today, I have another
question. Several people were talking about limiting the light they get
where they sleep, and Jerry Murray, DVM
mentions keeping them on a fall/winter schedule with 8-10 hours of
daylight. Now I hope this doesn't sound dumb, but is this lighting
schedule a good idea for year round, or only actually during winter? We
have the blinds in the fert room open so they get natural light in the
daytime, and use the red light after dark. I thought doing this all year
would be good for them since they'd get light only when it' actually
daytime, and their schedule might be as natural as possible. Does this
sound about right, or should we limit light all year?
Just 1 more question. We have a dig box with rice for the ferts, and the
kind of rice we put in it is extra long grain. I read somewhere that this
is what is good to use. I've noticed that a few of the ferrets have been
eating some of it, and I've seen rice in their poop, which would obviously
be a good thing as they are apparently passing it. But my question is,
should we be concerned that one of them might eat too much of it and get a
blockage? And does long grain rice seem like a good type to use? I can't
remember where I read about using it, but wanted to double check since the
ferts have decided that it tastes good.
Thanks for any help that anyone might have.
Happy Dookin'
Jen
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Take care,
Jen, Mike & the Ferrets
Loki, Fria, Jamocha, Vivi, & Duke
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