il cacciatore Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Basically I've seen how effective ferrets are in rabbit control and would want to start for myself. However I've never had one before and dont know where to start. I have a number of questions: 1. Obviously Ill need to build a hutch but how do these differ from rabbit hutches? (what dimensions etc?) 2. What ferrets make good working ones? 3. Where do I find a ferret? I've seen them being given away for free in the adtrader but is there anything to look for to tell if they are healthy or will be good working ferrets? 4. What do you feed them? 5. One of my dads freinds had a ferret and it always wanted to bite him so was wondering if that was due to bad training or if they all do it? Anything else I should know or consider? Any good webpages for information? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Il cacciatore Build your hutch as big as you can, put lots of pipes & tunnels in there, try & raise it off the floor to a good height for you to clean out, put another level in, and a seperate bed box. Use a good quality ply & make it secure. Ferrets are escape artists Its best to get at least a couple as they are sociable animals & enjoy company. I think ferrets are natural hunters & should be keen to work for you. I'm new to ferrets myself so as yet have no experiance working them in the feild. I'd recommend James Mckays book Complete Guide to Ferrets, very imformative, also you will get great advice on here. You can get them from the forums classified section there are a few available now, any off here I would pressume are of working stock. I feed mine on freshly shot rabbit, pigeon, squirrel & some dried food, don't forget plenty of fresh drinking water. Handle them daily and you shouldn't have any problems with biting, as you approach the cage spit on your fingers & offer it to them they love licking it off. Theyr'e great things to have & I get alot of fun out of them & I haven't started hunting with them yet. Good luck GO FOR IT SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 These are some of the most knowledgeable people as regards ferrets http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Cheers people. Ill look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 First you've gotta prove yourself...a ferret up each trouser leg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 And no armor plated underpants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Ferrets his pants, Ferrets his pants :yp: :yp: :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Any chance of a better location than scotland m8 ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMY Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 BigBob, Pot & Kettle ...comes to mind, where are you? Hammy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 My reason for asking was too ask if the guy was local to me hammy too see if he wanted a day or two out to see what the answers to his question where .As i could alway use a hand but it dont matter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Hello, yeh I live in Ayrshire. First off Ill need to build a hutch. I have loads of questions... Is it best to get a hob or a jill? How much does neutering cost? Also, if no freshly shot rabbit is at hand what do you feed them with? Most of the ferrets in the adtrader are for sale and not free but the prices range from about £2.50 to £15 each, what would be considered a fair price? How old do they need to be before working them? What age is it best to buy them at? If two hobs are kept then do they tend to fight one another? I've seen alot of people seem to steer clear of albinos is this for any particular reason? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Hi, Hob or jill is personal choice and can depend on the type of ferreting work you want it for. Neutering costs about the same ammount as a cat but shop around. I feed mine James Wellbeloved ferret complete. I paid £5 for 2 8 week old jills. They were going to be a fiver each but they were now doing them for £5 for 2 so they had a friend but bare in mind you don't get kits in Autumn and Winter so expect to pay more then for adult ferrets. You shouldn't buy them any earlier than 8 weeks old. The hobs may fight in the breeding season if kept together and they haven't been neutered. A ferret is a ferret, they are all the same on the inside. There are myths that albinos are bad workers etc but it is down to personal choice. Hope this helps. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the ferreter Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 i have 6 hobs in together and have done for years not need for Neutering ,well ive never had any bother mine are in a court that is 8x4x6 with 3 nest boxes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Sorry mate im in dunfermline and your a bit too far for me to help .Ive 12 adult ferret and had 23 young ferrets but most of them are booked but you could of had a couple from me if you wanted them. Whatever you pick get a pair for company Why get them neutured if there cracking workers you cant breed from them at a later date Dry cat food easy obtained and cheaper than ferret food but rabbits are free Had a few bew worth something but gave them away so you might get lucky and get them for free ,just because you pay a lot of cash wont make your ferret any better Ferrets are like kids they could be twenty all aged six month and they wouldn't all start working .You will know when your ferrets ready to do a bit Most folk let them go from 6/12 weeks two hobs may fight each other or bum each other but if you seperate them during the summer they will fight when you put them back together Ive got a few colours but no polecats as these are harder to see whilst working but all ferrets are the same under there jackets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenn Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Hi Il cacciatore, yeah using ferrets is very effective for rabbit control and lots of fun. Once you get set up looking after them just becomes second nature but don't forget that you'll also need nets (at least 20), a carrying box and the most expensive item, a bleeper box & collars. FENN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Ferret finder isnt an absolute must though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbz2000 Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Its not an absolute must no, but it should be seriously considered, My neighbour doesnt use one and has lost several ferrets over the years cos they dissapeared after headed under... I picked up 2 collers and a bleeper box on eBay for £120, they been used but in top condition, not a bad price... But its completly up to the owner if they want to fork out or not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Ferret finder isnt an absolute must though? In my opinion if you value your ferrets then yes it is. You will get plenty of extra rabbits using it by digging down to a ferret thats in a dead end with a rabbit... or 4. A ferret could get blocked in a stop end by a big buck rabbit and not be able to get out which is dangerous for the ferret. I have heard of them dieing through suffocation like this. You would also be waiting a long time for your ferret to come out if you don't have a finder. Seriously I consider them essential. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 How much to these Ferret finders cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbz2000 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 You can prob get one from eBay for around the £100 mark, depends how good a model you want, ive seen them upto £200 for the debnam ones. Ask around you may find a second hand one for under £100 depends if your lucky! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Deban-ferret-finder-...1QQcmdZViewItem Dibbz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 This is an item I hadnt considered. Whats the difference in all the different models? Are they all pretty much the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbz2000 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 They all do exactly the same thing, Find your ferrets below ground! Some have slight advantages such as a visual display showing the depth. The bleeper box is all you really need though does just as good a job as the others on the market. Happy Hunting Dibbz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenn Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 I've just bought the mk3 version (box + 1 collar) for £100, new, from a shop. The shops called Penningtons in Castleford, W. Yorkshire. FENN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Hi, There are 3 ferret finders made by Deben: The MK1, MK2 and the MK3. The MK1 and MK2 are no longer made but are available second hand. The MK1 is a simple easy to use design. The MK2 are useless. They were rushed to be made because they were going to discontinue the MK1 and the result was an unaccurate pile of **** that has many faults. The MK3 is very good and what I own. They are accurate and will search for your ferret accurately up to 16ft away and pinpoint them at 8ft or less. I reccomend either a secondhand MK1 or a new or secondhand MK3. Hope this helps. FM :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted August 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 It does. Avoid mk2s at all cost is what your saying really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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