Des, heres what I was able to find on ferret nutrition:

Ferret Nutritional Needs

Feeding your ferret a proper diet is extremely important. Ferrets are strict carnivores and should be fed a high protein (at least 34%), high fat (at least 20%) high quality chicken or lamb based dry ferret diet. Totally Ferret, Zupreem for Ferrets, and Ultimate 8 and 1 are good choices. Chicken or lamb should be listed in some form (poultry, lamb or poultry meal) as the number one ingredient in the list of ingredients on the back of the bag. You should also look for food that is naturally preserved with vitamin E and has no artificial colors.

Ferrets have very short digestive tracts, so they need a food that contains easily digestible meat protein. Foods that list grain or corn as the first ingredient should not be used. Grocery store kitten or cat foods are not adequate. If you are feeding your ferret grocery store kitten or cat food, please switch to ferret food or kitten food brands like Iams or Eukanuba if ferret food is not available (and give your ferret a fatty acid supplement like Ferretone daily). Your ferret is not getting the proper nutrients with grocery store cat or kitten food. Grocery store foods contain too much fiber and not enough quality animal protein. This food can also contribute to stones in the kidneys and bladder, malnutrition, dull coats and other health problems for your ferret. It's never too late to make the switch (especially if your ferret has been diagnosed with insulinomas).

Many now feel that supplementing your ferret's regular chow diet with natural meat is the best way to provide proper nutrition. You can do this by either giving your ferret some cooked chicken ( this can include skin, fat, chicken livers, chicken hearts), or some raw chicken that has been frozen and thawed (the freezing process can kill some bacteria and parasites). Some people even recommend allowing ferrets to chew on the soft ends of bones as well. Bone marrow contains a lot of nutrients (including calcium) ferrets need. Chicken baby food can also be a form of meat supplement (but not for regular diet).

For a natural, high protein, high calorie recipe for ferrets called "Bob's Chicken Gravy," visit the link below. This meal supplement or replacement has worked very well for sick ferrets and ferrets with insulinomas. It can also be used as a supplement or "treat" for ferrets to ensure over all good health.
http://www.trifl.org

Note: Please be aware that a raw meat diet could introduce your ferret to internal parasites or disease. If you do want to feed your ferret raw meat, please check with your veterinarian for advice. It is very difficult to feed your ferret a balanced "all natural" diet. I would recommend feeding your ferret a balanced ferret food in addition to the real meat.
Also, never give your ferret small bones to chew on (especially chicken or turkey bones). These bones could splinter and get lodged in your ferret's digestive system (requiring surgery). Your ferret can eat the soft cartilage at the end of large bones or the bone marrow . Ferrets can chew on larger bones that have been softened by boiling.

Ferrets need to be provided with fresh food and water twenty-four hours a day. Ferrets will not normally overeat. Rather, they require several small meals throughout the day (up to ten in a twenty-four hour period) due to their fast metabolism. Water should be supplied in a heavy bowl that cannot be tipped over, as well as a cage hanging water bottle. The water and food should be changed out at least twice a day (more if the ferret tampers with the food and floods it with water!). Ferret food can spoil quickly, so keep an eye out for "stashes" of food the ferret may place around the house and under furniture. Eating this food could make them sick if it is more than a few days old.

It is important to note that you should NEVER feed your ferret dog or puppy food. Dog food does not contain taurine, a nutrient that is vital for a ferret's eye and cardiovascular health. Dog food contains more vegetable protein and less animal protein. Because of their short digestive tract, ferrets cannot properly digest vegetable protein. Ferrets also don't have a cecum, the part of the digestive tract used to break down vegetable matter. Vegetable protein is not toxic to your ferret, however a diet rich in vegetable protein and low in animal protein will eventually lead to malnutrition, illness and possibly death. Keep vegetable and fruit treats to a minimum (preferably not at all). Meat based treats are a better alternative.