rabbithunter2008 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Hi there all. got a 10 week old ferret. when and how do you train them? she has eaten a rabbit i shot, the pellet was removed first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonna Shoot a Wabbit Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Hi rabbithunter. You don't say if you intend to work your ferret? i will assume so so hope the following helps Rule No1..buy a locator First things first, make sure your ferrets are used to being picked up. Sit down with them in an enclosed area so you are close to their level as possible (makes them less nervous) and let them come to you they will eventually, then lots of praise and handling. once they are happy being picked up make sure they are not going to bite you. I prefer to establish a routine with mine before they get their food they have to allow me to put my fingers in their mouth, they will nibble / nip at first if they do give a firm no and gentle tap on the nose but they soon learn not to and will soon allow you into their mouths without putting the slightest pressure on you. once they learn they are usually reliable for life. Once they are happy being picked up and you are confident they are not going to bite you they are ready for the field. Choose small sets to begin with. Allow the ferret to go underground on its own terms, this usually means quite a few returns to surface until they get a whiff of fresh bunny scent. Once they get some fresh scent to follow they will begin to follow the bunnies out of the holes the bunny bolted from that is when you can move onto the larger sets. If you start off on big sets that the bunies can give the ferret the runaround in the ferret loses the chance for lots of fresh scent and hopefully a close encounter. Once your ferret has had a close encounter/ caught its first rabbit it will be away. Always use a locator, so you know when the ferret is moving and when it has probably caught a bunny underground. The locator will enable you to dig down and retrieve the bunny but most importantly the ferret. If you do a search on here for the posts on ferreting i have done you will hopefully find something towards what you are looking for. Hope this helps. rgds GSAW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 In my experience ferrets don't need any training to work, they do it instinctively. Encourage them to come to hand, by "calling" them at meal times, I make a squeaking noise, this can help get them out of earths. Also handle them regularly, remembering to hold them firmly and support their legs. Just get them use to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbithunter2008 Posted August 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 Should of said i was going to work her. She's not biting any more. I've gave her some live mice and she kills them straight away. Thanks for info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretman Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 just let her run ho pipe mate its natral to he to catch rabbits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbithunter2008 Posted August 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 At what age can they go out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Why did you give them live mice? FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbithunter2008 Posted August 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 The bloke i bought her from said they got rid of mice in his garage. I breed mice for my bearded dragons so gave her 1 and she loves them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretman Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 you can work them the year thay are born mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salisburykeeper Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 The bloke i bought her from said they got rid of mice in his garage. I breed mice for my bearded dragons so gave her 1 and she loves them. wild mice will give them worms you dont need to train a ferret as cranfeild said they instinctivley have it built into them! a good idea is to give ferrets a big drink of 50/50 milk and water before you take them out and they are less likely to lay up in the burrows as their stomachs are full. another thing to remember dont go out this time of year as if a ferret finds young rabbits it will stay down the hole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbithunter2008 Posted August 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 The bloke i bought her from said they got rid of mice in his garage. I breed mice for my bearded dragons so gave her 1 and she loves them. wild mice will give them worms you dont need to train a ferret as cranfeild said they instinctivley have it built into them! a good idea is to give ferrets a big drink of 50/50 milk and water before you take them out and they are less likely to lay up in the burrows as their stomachs are full. another thing to remember dont go out this time of year as if a ferret finds young rabbits it will stay down the hole Not wild mice i give her. but thanks will not give her any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjw Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 HELLO MATE only put them down 3/5 hole warren no more than 5 to start with and let it do its own thing when they come back out don,t rush to pick them up let them come out on there own away from entrance then pick them up also try whisleing and talking to them so they now your vioce etc . good look mate cjw ps dont forget to take some drinking water for them with you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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