dunganick Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 okay....as my parents have basically told me that if i get a dog then ive gota find a new place to live ive decided fair enough.....so i asked about getting a ferret (being in my opinion the next best thing to a dog to help you improve your bag in the field....and having an intrest in them) and i seemed to get a fairly possitive response, so my questions are, before i set my mind to geting them i need to know some of the pros and conns, (being a utter novice) so where do you keep them, how much room do they need, do they need to be given the roam of a garden or house for a certain period each day, is it wise to get them as a hob and a jill or two jills, etc etc.....what would you consider the best number to start with for rabbiting (dont really want to get too involved with rats.....thats what airguns are for) how much can i look at paying for a deacent ferret, do they require any kind of training, or is it a stick it in and wait for it to come out type of thing. how much do the radio colars cost, how effective are they. to make a short version of the above.....tell me about ferreting.... many thanks in advance....sorry about the lengthy post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferret boy Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 Hav a look on ebay and get a book,ones by james mckay are good and one by david bezzant.i have three ferrets.best to get two jills first.hob and jill will rwesult in babys unless castrated hob is used.i had two spayed jils to start with.get em spayed or theyl die afta 2 or three years.id look on ebay again for collars etc and nets.you cant beat a good days ferreting.just getting the lands the problem for me,same for shooting.have a shed if you can for ferrets or a big hutch with run on it.iv got a custom made hutch.its 10 foot long x 3 foot deep x 5 foot high.plenty of room for my three.im happy to answer anthing you want to know.like i say a book is a good way of getting info on it.think i mite have two copys of the jamesmckay book.if i can find it and you want it you can hav it for £7.00 posted.they cost about £14ish from shop. hope iv been helpful regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 will PM you durring the week mate when i have more time, thansk for the response, i was supprised at the limited number of responses, thought there were more ferret lovers on this forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Nick, Check your PM's mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Nick. I am at the next stage on from you. I have a hutch and am building the court (run), which is 50 square feet. I have 2 jill ferrets at the mo with the intention on getting about 6. My advice is to read up on them, surf the internet as there are some really good sites with info. They do need to be well looked after but they are well worth the work. If you want a look at them PM me, your welcome to come over and take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 okay thanks both of you, will pm you both when i have a moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 will PM you durring the week mate when i have more time, thansk for the response, i was supprised at the limited number of responses, thought there were more ferret lovers on this forum okay thanks both of you, will pm you both when i have a moment Perhaps you should ask your questions, when you have time to read the answers. Also, not asking too many questions at once, is a good tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 thanks for that ferret related comment,.....just interested...keen to get things moving.....,but also finding my self unexpectadly tied up with school work.....which i couldnt predict sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 I started ferreting for the first time this season, all started in the pub with a few to many beers and a mate of mine telling me he had got so young ferrets for sale before you know it I get a phone call to say they are ready but I was not to cut a long story short brought a rabbit hutch, handled them alot got some second hand nets from a member on here and hav'nt looked back since what a laugh they are. the day goes alot quicker than waiting for half a dozen pigeons on rape. cheers john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooke103 Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 handle them alot! theres nothing worse than the ferret sticking its head out the hole, you go to get it and it getting scared and running back down for another 10 miniutes. i started by going out ferreting with my mates and then getting my own ferrets ive been ferreting for years now and still get the same exitment of a thudding rabbit underneth my feet! jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbz2000 Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Ive also been thinking of getting a few ferrets, my only concern is, ive heard they can be very vicious critters. Ive got a huge hutch with a run that wud be perfik, Oh an how much would the average ferret cost? Dibbz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurch Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 my only concern is, ive heard they can be very vicious critters They can be, but only if you mis-treat them. A well handled ferret is a super animal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooke103 Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 how much would the average ferret cost? not alot unless you want a super bred ferret from lots of super hunters, even then it would only be a tenner at the most. i got all mine for free. jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbz2000 Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 I dont supose anyone lives in the Mid-Wales area and knows of any ferret breeders. Ive been through all the papers and web sites, and dont seem to be having much luck. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Get the dog you want and if they turf you out it was the best thing that could happen who wants to live with oppresive parents any way?? at your age I was told you cant have ferrets and you cant have o motorbike so I went straight out and got one of each and parents accepted it because they realised it was what I wanted and I was responsable enough to own both. Dave One life Live it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 lol dave liking that response, think ferrets are more in my price range at the moment, and i think the idea goes that if i can show that im actually look after the ferrets then they will consider a dog.. so its a kind of a mean to an ends, which also gets me some awsome sport in the meantime. anyone know anybreeders in the s/e kent area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 I was given 2 jills. Both are from working stock. They both will come to a (food) call. They are really good fun. Like cooke says handle them alot. Mind you, one of mine is a bit 'nippy' hands, feet it doesn't matter. Anyone got any good ideas to stop her? I tap her nose when she bites then fuss her, then I give her my knuckle, if she bites again I tap her nose again etc. This is'nt working yet but I'll give her time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 I was given 2 jills. Both are from working stock. They both will come to a (food) call. They are really good fun. Like cooke says handle them alot. Mind you, one of mine is a bit 'nippy' hands, feet it doesn't matter. Anyone got any good ideas to stop her? I tap her nose when she bites then fuss her, then I give her my knuckle, if she bites again I tap her nose again etc. This is'nt working yet but I'll give her time. Oi !!! told you not to tap them you naughty naughty boy !!!, you just need to gently pinch the nose (the ferrets not yours). If you let go of them when they nip they have got their own way so don't immediately let go of them although it's a bit of an instinctive survival action. Hope it all works out well for you, would hate to think I'd set you up with a vampire ferret. Bring em along when you bring the box back if you like, we must contact the vets to see if we can get a quantity discount on getting my three and your two spayed at the same time. I'm just about getting the hang of this ferreting lark now, it does take a bit of time so be patient out there guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 When ever mine get a bit nippy I just hold them up, give a short sharp blow in the face (thats a blow of air! not a punch) and say NO! seems to work for me, If you start hitting them they will eventually bite you down to the bone or ****** off first chance they get. Roost.... that vet does give a group discount, ( They do for Rose anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Have a look on here http://www.adtrader.co.uk/ You might get a free dog under free to good home!! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Have a look on here http://www.adtrader.co.uk/ You might get a free dog under free to good home!! Dave If you get a dog that's "free to good home" it will often carry the legacy of having been very expensive to it's original bad home !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Dave If you get a dog that's "free to good home" it will often carry the legacy of having been very expensive to it's original bad home !!! How did we get on to dogs from ferrets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 Dave If you get a dog that's "free to good home" it will often carry the legacy of having been very expensive to it's original bad home !!! How did we get on to dogs from ferrets? Come on Ern, stick with the program mate, the lad originally wanted a dog but was told by his parents that he couldn't have one, naughty Dave said sod the parents go get a dog etc. etc. As ever we've also posted loads of very useful info for the newcomer to read, I'm always happy to take anyone out for a go at ferreting so they can get a taste of it without having to get too involved financially before seeing what goes on. Do you watch any of the soaps ?, Coronation Street, East Enders ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pelt man Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 If you are after Ferrets go to the RSPCA. Spring and early summer is the time as a lot of People Don't seem to care about the Ferrets and dump them after the season and get new at the start of the next, as this to them is cheaper than feeding and looking after what they already have through the summer. If you shoot aswell you should be able to provied for them all year round with very little expence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Nice thought but would you want ferrets that had been owned by someone who cared so little for their welfare that they dumped them at the end of the season ?? I need mine to work as and when required so look after them, afraid I only want top quality ferrets and I'd rather buy what I need from a good strain. Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.