Newbie Ferret Questions

[ShaggyRS6]

Right then. My son wants a Ferret. To be honest the wife aint keen as there is the high possibility that his Ferret passion will last as long as his shooting passion, this will generally mean that his mum will end up cleaning them out etc.

 

There is of course he chance that he will indeed look after a Ferret or two. I must say he does seem keen enough. There is also the fact that I could actually use them as well, i have a lot of permissions that really do need rabbit control far beyond what i can do with a shotty and rifle.

 

I have sort some advice of off LB and another friend of mine but i have a few more questions and I also want to clarify a few that have been answered.

 

1. I have been advised that Ferrets are a doodle to look after. Please confirm :blink:

2. If I do get a Ferret do I get 2 and house them together? What sex?

3. What do I do for living arrangements? Rabbit hutch? One of these really nice cages?

4. Where do I locate them? Inside or out. Do they smell?

5. I have 2 dog. How are they gonna get on with them? Can I let out around the house?

6. I want to use them for ferreting as well as being my son's pet's. Possible?

7. Biting. My dad has told me stories of when he owned ferrets and the time when one bit him through to the bone and he had to ring its next to get it off. Now I would not want this to happen to me let alone my boy as my wife would castrate me,

 

Ermmm, I think that's it for now.

[gav]

my son is 7 mths old and my 2 jill ferts are 9 mths

 

they crawl over him and hes just started to touch them

 

as with any animal its how u bring them up . i got mine at 8 weeks old and have always handled them . never even had a nip

 

my 16 yr old step daughter is scared of em

 

 

if ur boy has a history of 5 min wonders think hard about it < always give them to me when hes bored > :blink:

definately keep them outside .

mine are in a big hutch 2 storey with run.

but soon going in an aviary !

1 of my dogs hates them with avengance but the rest are fine

remember a female fert has to be spayed or mated each year

[flash]

1. I have been advised that Ferrets are a doodle to look after. Please confirm

very easy to be honest, clean the cage of ****e regularly, claen bedding, water, food and lots of handlind, oh and of course working on the rabbits.

 

2. If I do get a Ferret do I get 2 and house them together? What sex?

if u want to breed then one of each sex, obviously, but if you dont then its personal choice as some people believe jills are better workers and visa versa. bear in mind jills will need to be neutered to stop them from getting ovarian cancer( i think), and boys should be neutered to prevent fighting etc, and stops them smelling as much.

 

3. What do I do for living arrangements? Rabbit hutch? One of these really nice cages?

a rabbit hutch is suitable, but in my opinion get the biggest and best you can afford, more space for them run around etc, and exercise. we currently use a converted shed from trago mills( lol dont take the ****), with one side replace with chicken wire doors( i will post a picture when i can), this has multiple floors, and currently has 6 ferrets in, but had more and can take alot more.

 

4. Where do I locate them? Inside or out. Do they smell?

outside, as they need the sunlight, and also the fresh air. oh and they aint called stinkers for nothing. a ferrets breeding cycle is dependant on sunlight exposure, to keep this cycle in check, situate them outside so they get the same amount of sunlight etc, and also means u wont notice the smell as much.

 

5. I have 2 dog. How are they gonna get on with them? Can I let out around the house?

we have 2 dogs, one a sprocker pup, the other a jack russel cross cocker spaniel, whos 7 years old. the jackcocker doesnt mind them, and knows they bite lol, and is willing to let them climb over her to a degree. the pup hasnt been introduced properly, but is always interested in them, when there running around there cage. introduce them slowly, allowing the dogs to get used to them etc, in a controlled environment, so i wouldnt recomend letting them have free rain on the house lol. we generally use one room to let them have a run around, and shut all doors, etc.

 

6. I want to use them for ferreting as well as being my son's pet's. Possible?

mine are pets as much as they are workers. i personally think all ferrets should be working ferrets, no offence to people who have them as pets. in my opinion it gives them necessary exercise and is good enrichment for them. mine work and are as gentle as anything.

 

7. Biting. My dad has told me stories of when he owned ferrets and the time when one bit him through to the bone and he had to ring its next to get it off. Now I would not want this to happen to me let alone my boy as my wife would castrate me.

Mine dont bite, the only time they are anything like biting is when there mouthing ur finger and licking it etc. they have been handled since they were kits, and treeted with respect etc. When they are kits, they use there teeth to test stuff, so when this is happening, dont take it as a sign of agression, unless they leap at ur finger and latch on straight away lol. i find a good way to teach it not to, is to stuff ur finger down there throat, obviously not to kill them, but they really dont like it, and once this has happened a few times, they learn whats right and wrong.

 

hope that helps, and good luck with the ferrets.

 

cheers

 

flash

[davo]

1. I have been advised that Ferrets are a doodle to look after. Please confirm

Like all animals they need to be cleaned out fed and watered but yes they are easy to look after.

2. If I do get a Ferret do I get 2 and house them together? What sex?

Get 2, Ferrets are VERY social animals and they interact constantly so yes house them together, as for what sex? 2 Hobs (male) might fight when they get a bit older, 2 Jill's (female) will be OK although one will be more dominant tan the other so fights might occur until the dominance is established, I've got 3 ferrets in the same court (hutch) 1 neutered Hob and 2 Jill's, they get on great, although the Jill's when they come into season need to be serviced :blink: and because my hobs been castrated he doesn't show much interest, a way round that is to get him the 'snip' instead, you can get the females a Jill jab which brings them out of season but it meets with mixed views.

3. What do I do for living arrangements? Rabbit hutch? One of these really nice cages?

Get something as big as you can and fill it with balls, tubes a climbing frame thing, Ferrets love to be mobile and to play.

4. Where do I locate them? Inside or out. Do they smell?

Outside, yes they smell a bit but keep them clean and it's not that bad.

5. I have 2 dog. How are they gonna get on with them? Can I let out around the house?

My Spaniel likes them and they all lick each other through the wire, don't know if I would let them play outside together, just keep the dogs in when you are cleaning them out and you should get on fine.

 

6. I want to use them for ferreting as well as being my son's pet's. Possible?

Absolutely possible, mine are all really nice soft natured because they have been handled since they where very small, but show them a Rabbit or put them at a burrow and their instincts kick in and they are different animals.

7. Biting. My dad has told me stories of when he owned ferrets and the time when one bit him through to the bone and he had to ring its next to get it off. Now I would not want this to happen to me let alone my boy as my wife would castrate me,

The younger they are when you get them and the more you handle them (VERY IMPORTANT) the less likely they are to bite, they are natural biters though and as such the possibility is always there for them to bite.

Have a look here, good informative site with lots of FAQ's http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/index.htm

Edited January 16, 2008 by davo

[ShaggyRS6]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info. Very informative.