ryanl Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 im going to be taking my ferrets out for the first time in afew weeks and was just wondering if you have any tips for me? i have 3 should i take them all? shal i feed them before i go? any other tips would be very helpful cheers lads ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Whereabouts are you Ryan? There's no substitute for being out with someone, as it's impossible to remember everything you are told if something happens. I take the food out of my court last thing at night before a trip out, it's something I started doing after speaking to other ferreters and from personal experience it seemed to make a difference - but many others will tell you the opposite so find what works for you and your ferrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Take two..and a spade, i feed them bread and milk with a little sugar before i go so they are less tempted to kill and eat down the bottom of the warren, keeps their belly full but their nose is still keen for blood....dont forget to put one end of the net down the hole............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanl Posted September 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 im going with a guy off the shoot who had ferrets but hes not free for afew weeks and im realy keen on getting them out! aha i know the basics just wondering if i should take all 3? and how to pick a good bury? ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanl Posted September 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 if im only taking 2 how should i choose witch 1 not to take? and what do you look for in a good bury? ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 If you are starting out on your own try and keep away from tree roots to begin with.....maybe take a jac and a jill put the jac down the hole leave the jill in the box...gives the jac somewhere to come home to think Tug has it right, what works for one person dont really works for another...keep it to the basics and you will make it up as you go along......the real bitch is digging out ! i trained my ferrets to the whistle , when i first got them i would always peep-peep on the whistle at feeding time, they soon cottoned on to come then, so when i was out i could whistle them out of a hole and give them a tasty tip-bit.....have fun and let us know how you get on ditchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanl Posted September 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 ok will do mate cheers for all the advice farmers gonna have a good look this week for some small warrens cheers lads ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Take two..and a spade, i feed them bread and milk with a little sugar before i go. Lactose and sugar, two things that are really bad for ferrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karpman Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Just crack on mate to be honest. Best way to learn is get stuck in. One thing I will say is make sure your batteries are good in your locator and collars and you will be fine. Cheers. Karpman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 be sure to take your spades and be prepared to dig! still plenty of young about at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggins. Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Ryan. Where are you?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twocore Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Lactose and sugar, two things that are really bad for ferrets. Never a true a word spoken,i can't believe people still give their ferrets bread and milk. Theres enough care sheets around to read about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAD1927 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 (edited) Feed them last thing at night DO NOT FEED BREAD, WATER OR SUGER AT ANYTIME!!! As said make sure batteries are full and have a good spade. If you do have to dig keep checking with the finder to make sure they haven't moved on and dig slowly so as not to collapse the burrow. I always take 4 ferrets out so that if any do stay down I can put another behind it in the hope they move on also gives them a rest between burries if your out all day. Make sure you take water with you especially on a hot day so they can have a drink and cool them down if needed. Take a good set of tree lopers and some secaters to nip off any low branches and roots. If you cant retrieve your ferret leave the box out with straw in and check it every couple of hours if overnight then leave a folded hessian sack close to the hole with a piece of chicken in it hopefully your ferret will be tucked up sleeping when you check in the morning. Last but not least a good bag to carry your rabbits home in oh and a big stick to kill the rabbits if your not experienced in neck breaking. Have fun the best way to learn is by trying!!! Edited September 3, 2012 by BRAD1927 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Feed them last thing at night DO NOT FEED BREAD, "WATER" OR SUGER AT ANYTIME!!! As said make sure batteries are full and have a good spade. If you do have to dig keep checking with the finder to make sure they haven't moved on and dig slowly so as not to collapse the burrow. I always take 4 ferrets out so that if any do stay down I can put another behind it in the hope they move on also gives them a rest between burries if your out all day. Make sure you take water with you especially on a hot day so they can have a drink and cool them down if needed. Take a good set of tree lopers and some secaters to nip off any low branches and roots. If you cant retrieve your ferret leave the box out with straw in and check it every couple of hours if overnight then leave a folded hessian sack close to the hole with a piece of chicken in it hopefully your ferret will be tucked up sleeping when you check in the morning. Last but not least a good bag to carry your rabbits home in oh and a big stick to kill the rabbits if your not experienced in neck breaking. Have fun the best way to learn is by trying!!! So which is it water or no water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 So which is it water or no water. Don't feed them bread, or anything that isn't meat. Water is fine, infact bring some a long as ferrets can get very hot and thirsty! I used to stop for a cup of tea for me and some water (with a drop of ferrtone) for the fuzz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Also if you are going by yourself, only work one ferret at a time. Ferreting solo can be hectic when you've got a rabbit trying to escape a net, another one bolting, and the ferret wandering off by himself. Don't over do it and stick to small open areas for now where you can see everything going on, staying away from hedgerows (etc) until you've got another person helping you out. Also, don't get over excited - wait a good 15 minutes between placing the nets and dropping your ferret in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAD1927 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 So which is it water or no water. My bad should of said NO MILK as they dont tolerate the lactose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 My bad should of said NO MILK as they dont tolerate the lactose. Thought so, that was me just being sarcastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Dont feed them , we always worked ferrets hungry as they hunt much better ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbiter Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Never a true a word spoken,i can't believe people still give their ferrets bread and milk. Theres enough care sheets around to read about them. totally agree........ Dont feed them , we always worked ferrets hungry as they hunt much better ! hmmm,do you go to work on an empty stomach? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karpman Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 totally agree........ hmmm,do you go to work on an empty stomach? No but I'm not a ferret lol. Mine get used to feed mine last thing night before. Karpman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Actually DAZ yes I used to go to work with no breakfast and wait for elevenses. But a ferret will work much better hungry as it is doing what comes natural and hunting for a meal , believe me we did this for years and often took bags of 60 - 70 rabbits a day. If they have a full belly they are lethargic and dont hunt to full potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbiter Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Actually DAZ yes I used to go to work with no breakfast and wait for elevenses. But a ferret will work much better hungry as it is doing what comes natural and hunting for a meal , believe me we did this for years and often took bags of 60 - 70 rabbits a day. If they have a full belly they are lethargic and dont hunt to full potential. fair enough mate,each to their own,but i always give mine a little something to keep energy levels up so they dont tire too quickly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXHUNTER1 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 fair enough mate,each to their own,but i always give mine a little something to keep energy levels up so they dont tire too quickly... Jills tire much quicker than hobs , we used to use big hobs which could graft all day . It cant be pleasant getting kicked in the face all day long by rabbits , we noticed sometimes jills would only stick half a day because of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) People tend to do what works for them.I always give mine a little something prior to going out,the theory being that if they make a kill inderground they're less likely to feast and then go to sleep.A mate works his without feeding,the theory being that they're more prone to hunt better. He likes digging,I don't.He uses locators,I don't.Each to their own. In time you'll find out what works best for you. Edited September 5, 2012 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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