onatangent Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Hi All, Hopefully this will be in the right section, if not can a mod please throw me in the right direction :-). I am fancying something different and like the sound of having a ferret, ooer missus. Ideally I want a pet for the GF and daughter who are both into furry things and then something I can do work with. I trawled through the archives and didnt get far so hoped there would be a keen ferreter on here to help. Feel free to chuck as much information at me as you like. For example; do they need to be worked under licence training upkeep equipment tips, tricks & how to's etc etc ideal living environment, size, how rugged to live oudoors etc etc. Seems alien to me at the minute letting a nutty ferret scamper off that more than likely doesnt know its name, or that is has one, and is wondering what you are whistling about while it goes to work. Am I being too rose tinted with the idea? Putting it to work isnt the be all and end all for me but could be a new attachement to my PCP shooting hobby. I did see an ooooold post about ferreting experience outings which fizzled so was wondering is there someone local ish or within a reasonable drive to show me what its all about. Thanks Leigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tharsus Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 You do not need a license. They work naturally usually but a lot of people are keeping them as pets, buy from workers. A dozen or so nets, a locator, a box and a spade are all that's needed. Keep them outdoors as they should be, hutch or pen the bigger the better. Feed on flesh and or complete ferret food. Jills and hobs both come into "season" in spring, jills can be taken out of season by breeding, a vasectomised hob or a jab. They like company so keep more than one but remember the jill is healthier if taken out of season and not left in heat all summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 If keeping them outside ensure they have a warm and insulated sleeping area as they would most likely die during very cold weather without. A smallish hutch with a larger pen at a different level is ideal , they are very inquisitive so ensure they have stuff in the pen to occupie them such as lenghts of pipe , raised hamocks branches etc. Also make sure any pen or hutch is 100 % secure , ferrets are masters of escape and if neighbours keep chickens etc you may well fall out ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Ok thanks. So the spade bit....to dig the ferret out or the bunny?? LOL, no really? I had seen bits about locators so a bit of research required there and a bit of time looking for videos I think is in order. With regard to their social groups, can you just have jacks or do they fight? Also when working with a ferret is it considered 'pc' in line with land management or has/is it out of favour similarly to rabbit coursing and alike. Need to read the hunting act as well me thinks..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) If keeping them outside ensure they have a warm and insulated sleeping area as they would most likely die during very cold weather without. A smallish hutch with a larger pen at a different level is ideal , they are very inquisitive so ensure they have stuff in the pen to occupie them such as lenghts of pipe , raised hamocks branches etc. Also make sure any pen or hutch is 100 % secure , ferrets are masters of escape and if neighbours keep chickens etc you may well fall out ! So quite hardy then, more so than the rats the gf used to keep. Living in a village there are a few chickens that do the rounds and dodge the traffic so could be interesting should one escape. Would you consider them handlable/predictable or are bites par for the course? Not fussed as have had snakes and alike but like to make an informed decision. Plus if its cuddly looking my daughter will want to interact with it. Edited August 24, 2014 by onatangent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) I no longer ferret but I would say is perfectly PC for one it can be done in sensitive areas where use of a gun could cause problems . I kept a Hob that had been vasectomised and two jills together with no issues of them fighting. If you buy them as young kits and handle them often you should not get too many problems with biting , its more of a issue when they do not get handled. As I said they are hardy if they have a warm draft free place they can get into . Edited August 24, 2014 by fenboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 I no longer ferret but I would say is perfectly PC for one it can be done in sensitive areas where use of a gun could cause problems . I kept a Hob that had been vasectomised and two jills together with no issues of them fighting. Was there a particular reason for giving up the ferrets or just moved on? No cons yet as to having ferrets which is good news. Are there any cons you would care to mention? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 I gave up due to lack of time really , I often think about getting some more now I have some to spare but I generally have enough to do with shooting and fishing. I would not say there are any cons really , you do have to have some patience and like digging holes though , ferrets do make very good pets too if they are handled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 I gave up due to lack of time really , I often think about getting some more now I have some to spare but I generally have enough to do with shooting and fishing. I would not say there are any cons really , you do have to have some patience and like digging holes though , ferrets do make very good pets too if they are handled. Digging holes......can do that. i have just read about the animal abandonment act so no excuses other than get digging, cant imagine people leaving their workers behind really but thats me. If you have to dig them out are they forth coming or too busy filling its face? Did you have to dig alot or would they bring the quarry out? Need to get onto the vids online as well tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Digging holes......can do that. i have just read about the animal abandonment act so no excuses other than get digging, cant imagine people leaving their workers behind really but thats me. If you have to dig them out are they forth coming or too busy filling its face? Did you have to dig alot or would they bring the quarry out? Need to get onto the vids online as well tonight. I lost a good ferret a couple of years back, went to ground and could not get a signal with the locator to dig for her. Went back everyday for 2 months but never found her. She reappeared about 3 months after i lost her and to my knowledge is still living wild on the farm where she was lost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 If they make a kill down the warren then you will have little choice but to dig the ferret out as they will eat their fill and then go to sleep down there . Also ferreting is a winter sport as once the rabbits have young you are almost guarenteed to have your ferret lay up with a kill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 That is hardy, and plenty of food for her to no doubt. I know you cant save them all the time and admire the fact you went back time and again for her. Can but try I guess which is something else to consider...not coming back with the ferret and dealing with a distraught child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 If they make a kill down the warren then you will have little choice but to dig the ferret out as they will eat their fill and then go to sleep down there . Also ferreting is a winter sport as once the rabbits have young you are almost guarenteed to have your ferret lay up with a kill. Food for thought there. Until I start on the vids I am struggling to imagine how the whole process goes. The ferret realease point, how much ground it can cover and how fast. Not like you can call it off either. The girlfriend thinks a retractable lead is the way forward...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babs2020 Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 i love my ferretsi have 4 jills and work them all some one told me they can reach 40 mph when chasing prey so think of how much ground they can cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) i love my ferretsi have 4 jills and work them all some one told me they can reach 40 mph when chasing prey so think of how much ground they can cover I think someone lied to you the only way they would reach 40mph was if they could ride a moped Edited August 24, 2014 by fenboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babs2020 Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 i have to agree mine are fast but i don t think they can do 40 lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 I wont be chipping in for the ferrets moped fuel bill! Seen some vids now and good to see them working and as pets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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