gary1 Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 hi all can anyone give me some advice on my ferret please.We went out all day yesterday had a good day. half way through my ferret decided not to show for a couple of hours so she had to stay there the night. went back this morning and she came straight out the hole when i called her very strange?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 Killed one underground? That's the only reason mine ever failed to come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary1 Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 hello falcon yeah we thought that but we never heard any screaming or any sign that she had caught one.. and we never actually got any out of the burrow we were doing ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hezbear Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 Probably has killed but the sett was deep so you didn't hear her or if she had a good meal before going out she might of just wanted a good sleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary1 Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 hi bear i never fed her before going should i feed her then? never have yet she normally comes out, good little worker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbiter Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 do you use a locator mate?if not its a good idea to get one,saves a lot of waiting around,and saves leaving your ferret behind,also can increase your bag.... DAZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 hi bear i never fed her before going should i feed her then? never have yet she normally comes out, good little worker are you not using a locator then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary1 Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 no not useing a locator probly should i know it was also a very big bank with loads of holes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 It didn't come out because it was on a rabbit (probably starving because you didn't feed her before you went) Never understood people who expect their ferrets to run on empty all day (they have a very fast metabolism and short digestive tract) working hard and then get surprised when they kill a rabbit, stuff their face and then go to sleep. Typically this type of owner is also the sort who can't be bothered to use a locator and leave their ferrets underground while they go home. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbiter Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 ferreting what you say is a very big bank with loads of holes,how many ferrets do you use,sounds way too big for one ferret and if you work more than one with no collar,then to me thats not a good idea,if they all lie up and you have to return to get them,they might not be there then who knows what could happen,in my opinion,every responsible ferreter should use locators...just my opinion... DAZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 It didn't come out because it was on a rabbit (probably starving because you didn't feed her before you went) Never understood people who expect their ferrets to run on empty all day (they have a very fast metabolism and short digestive tract) working hard and then get surprised when they kill a rabbit, stuff their face and then go to sleep. Typically this type of owner is also the sort who can't be bothered to use a locator and leave their ferrets underground while they go home. FM as above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hound Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 It didn't come out because it was on a rabbit (probably starving because you didn't feed her before you went) Never understood people who expect their ferrets to run on empty all day (they have a very fast metabolism and short digestive tract) working hard and then get surprised when they kill a rabbit, stuff their face and then go to sleep. Typically this type of owner is also the sort who can't be bothered to use a locator and leave their ferrets underground while they go home. FM spot on there fella some people just aint got an idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 Err actually i think you will find that a well fed ferret before it goes out will be sleepy, a starving one is not good either but to blame Killing and or stopping underground totaly on how much a ferret is fed is just plain wrong in my mind. Ferrets will hunt because thats what they do and four or five bunnies in a stop end showing your ferret thier bums take some time to deal with. Its in situations such as this that a spade and locator can pay off, however i was out ferreting before locators came into being and feel they are often over used now as are spades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 I never feed my ferrets the morning that I work them, I always feed in the evening. One reason for a long lay-up is if the ferret gets blocked in by a rabbit that it kills. A lot of those that have locators and dig will confirm how often you can find a ferret blocked in. However, I think the main reason for a lay-up is that if you work a single ferret for too long they just get tired, its as simple as that. They will find somewhere underground warm and dry and go to sleep. Do shorter sessions, or get more ferrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomV Posted February 6, 2011 Report Share Posted February 6, 2011 I think you should invest in a ferret locator and collars so you dont end up in that situation again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 I think you should invest in a ferret locator and collars so you dont end up in that situation again What did people do before the invention of electric collars? Technology is taking away the old arts one by one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJT Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 What did people do before the invention of electric collars? Technology is taking away the old arts one by one. It is taking away old arts BUT having the technology makes things easier. If people are not using this technology and don't know the old methods of ferreting ferrets are easily lost. Best bet is to buy a locator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 What did people do before the invention of electric collars? Technology is taking away the old arts one by one. The old arts... Clipping a ferrets teeth, dropping a big hob down to try and dislodge them, making them wear muzzles, making them wear a line or using a liner hob with a knotted line to try and locate the ferret underground through LOTS of digging. I accept that not everyone will have used these methods but they are the alternatives besides waiting around all day or losing your ferret. Locators improve the safety of your ferret, means you take them all home with you again and puts more rabbits in the bag that are either in a stop end or killed underground and would be otherwise wasted. Not having a pop, just the way I see it as I think a locator is worth every penny and I rarely have to dig to be fair. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go Go Gadget Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 It didn't come out because it was on a rabbit (probably starving because you didn't feed her before you went) Never understood people who expect their ferrets to run on empty all day (they have a very fast metabolism and short digestive tract) working hard and then get surprised when they kill a rabbit, stuff their face and then go to sleep. Typically this type of owner is also the sort who can't be bothered to use a locator and leave their ferrets underground while they go home. FM Never heard taht one before, if a ferret is fed before it works it will not work as good and could go to sleep down the hole. Feed them on the afternoon the day before. This way they will not be strarving but will have enough drive in them to work properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 They will have a completely empty stomach and want to eat. Their digestive tract is very short so being fed the day before will have gone in one end and out the other. I even feed mine while out during a day ferreting. They certainly aren't sleepy and I don't have any problems with prey drive and general willingness to hunt! I believe a ferret with a full belly will still happily kill a rabbit, but it's less likely to then start eating it due to being hungry than one that hasn't eaten yet that day and wants some grub. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 (edited) They will have a completely empty stomach and want to eat. Their digestive tract is very short so being fed the day before will have gone in one end and out the other. I even feed mine while out during a day ferreting. They certainly aren't sleepy and I don't have any problems with prey drive and general willingness to hunt! I believe a ferret with a full belly will still happily kill a rabbit, but it's less likely to then start eating it due to being hungry than one that hasn't eaten yet that day and wants some grub. FM Totally aggree my ferrets get fed on rabbit every couple of days so there is always food in their cage. If I am out for the day I will give them a liver a piece to keep them going, have never had a ferret of mine eat a rabbit down the hole in the 17 years I have been ferreting. Edited February 7, 2011 by Luckyshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 We always feed our ferrets before working them,just a little.A mate use to use a Deben mk1 and gave it to me when he stopped keeping ferrets.I put it in the cupboard and have never used it since.That is almost 15 years ago and I've never lost a ferret yet.I always keep one or two in reserve,as it were,if one fails to show for a long time then I send down another.The 'missing' one usually pops up sometime later,followed by the other. I've nothing against locators,each to their own in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 iam new to ferreting so this may not be the done thing but every night i give my ferrets a little bit of kitten milk as i go out to the cage i call them out with a particular call the last few times i was out and had to wait a while i got down on my knees and made the call down the hole and every time they have come out in just a few seconds dont know that its the done thing but so far it has worked for me colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 I have always "squeaked" to my ferrets at feeding (and play) time and like you, have called them out of earths many times. Before locators I always used a large hob to chase any lay-ups out and even after buying a locator I still tried the hob (or another jill) first, just to avoid the digging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulwgun Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Me and my son always feed our ferrets before going out,not a full english just a small snack and have never had a kill and eat situation If were out for 4 hrs or more we give them some rabbit offal if we've caught any bunnies. Otherwise we take along some dried ferret food for them and we also use a ferret finder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.