Boston Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 My, others would say better half is in to his air gun's ... now along with my 10 year old son and I feel my 2 other son's shortly, now being the only lady in the house I can not be out done by this and needed a way in to the endless conversations As we own 2 hobs (always been fat pets) I thought it would be a good idea to start ferreting ... we breed and show domestic rabbit but all our boys have been brought up on a healthy diet of potbunny, our fat ferrity boys have been reared on still borns and culled runts. Now I am very new to ferreting, have read through some other threads that are also new to it also which has helped, but how do you get a ferret to 'work' are my 1.5 year old too past it to 'trained' They are very soppy and used to a rather soft living. I thing they would cuddle up next to a furry bunny if given half the chance I was going to try and get hold of two young jills and make my first attempts at working these as I have 'read' that jills make better workers as they get through the nets better. What is the best age to start working them? Ho, and one more question, I am a lousy hit with an air rifle and wouldn't trust not taking my toes off with a spade ... which way is the best way to dispatch potbunny quickly? Thanks for all and any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Boston, Welcome to the forum , I always love it when we get some female company on here. What I know about ferreting would not fill a postage stamp, but I am sure that those that do know will be along soon to help you out. Once again welcome, and let us know where you are located. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Firstly, welcome to Pigeon Watch, or Ferret Junction as I think we should rename it. If your hobs are fit, active and not overweight, they should work, its a natural instinct. However, if they are any of the above, this could make them lazy and inclined to lay up and play in the holes. I would prefer to get two jill kits and start a working stock from scratch. Keep the hobs as pets and for stud purposes. I kill rabbits by grasping their back legs in my left hand and hitting them on the back of the head sharply, with a small wooden club. Thats just my opinion and hopefully, a few others will chip in with their advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 cheers Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Welcome Boston It was my first season last year with an experienced crew and it was most enjoyable If you can find someone to go out with you will gather knowledge much quicker than being on your todd. When it comes to dispatching rabbits there are many ways and people have their preferences. I prefer to 'neck' the rabbit by pushing its head backwards or upwards if you like until you feel and hear it snap. This is the least physical way of doing it and can be carried out with ease by a child, like me I hope you have some fun on your first outing and I would recommend small ferrets if they were available. Keep us all posted at Ferret Junction LTD LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Hi, Mine are pampered pets, you know, running round the lounge causing havoc etc. They work fine. It's all on instinct. We just hold the rabbits by their back legs and head and just pull which dislocates their necks and kills them. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Boston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Boston,the only thing I would add to all the good advice above is,to use a priest/club for dispatching rabbits in nets,otherwise they get the LB treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Your hobs should work fine if they are fit and come from good working stock. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Posted September 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Thanks to everyone that has made me feel welcome We decided to go with the young jills from working parents and so happened to have picked up a pair today They are 12 weeks old and very small at the moment, so .... what do I do with them to prep them whilst I work on the local farmers? We decided that our boys are better off at home and as said, used as studs .... I'm sure they will be happy with that!! Good advise for culling potbunny, but thankfully as the old man will be with me, I think I will leave it to him and have stuck a deal that I skin ... the easy part he is even still going to gut for me ... so the girly charm must have been working well!!! By the way we are based in lovely Lincs, ferreting heavon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 i hold the rabbits by the back legs and just give it a chop with my hand on the back of the neck. done it for years just like dad did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 You don't really have to prepare ferrets to work, as has been mentioned , it comes naturally to them. When you first take them out find small earths/warrens, with less than 5-6 holes to work, if possible. Don't work them too hard in the early sessions, or they will get tired and go to sleep underground, thats when the digging starts. As they get older, stronger and more experienced, they will work for far longer periods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Posted September 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 So given a little time to get use to each other - me and the ferrets that is, and I could start working these girl's in the next month or so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Personally I would wait until they are fully grown as if they get kicked badly by a big buck rabbit that they cannot handle it could put them off. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbz2000 Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 What age is fully grown FB? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Each ferret is different like humans. Basically when they stop growing. You will notice this. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenlander Posted September 3, 2006 Report Share Posted September 3, 2006 Welcome to the site Boston, if when your ferrets are old enough to work,you want someone to show you how to set nets,use a locator ,dispatch rabbits ect ,just give me a shout,and I would be pleased to show you , i'm not to far away (Spalding). All the best Mick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Mike, your a star ... it's looking as though I will be waiting for the begining of next Spring before I go out for the first time with my new girls ... hope it's okay for the old man to tag along too ... he's going to be the dispatcher and gutter and while we have a culling air pistol at home for the domestic, he has never done it by hand, so this would be of great help!! As for netting, thank you!! If it's called for, I may even do some digging for you in return Let me know when you are next in this neck of the woods and we may be able to tag along... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenlander Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Absolutly no problem,i'm always pleased to help anyone if I can . All the best Mick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Again, thanks ... it always seams simpler to follow when you can watch how it's done other than following what's in a book!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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