Ginette
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Everything posted by Ginette
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How old is too old to tame down? Recently got a 6mth old jill who wasn't well handled and shes come on great. Wonder if that ferret is a lost cause. I've never heard a ferret scream like that being picked up. Bloody w****! :realmad:
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I'd love to take my JR bitch, but she's willful and can't catch a rabbit to save her life. She's probably too old to start as she's 5. One positive is she loves the ferrets!
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I'd keep a watch. The buzzards round our way have fair bred and they're bloody everywhere. Thing is they will and have taken hens round our way, do you think they'll say no to a ferret? Well maybe if it bites, but how much of a chance would it have.
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Human piss and hair won't discourage a fox, I know, have tried. Neither will a JR bitch or human constantly giving chase. If a fox is determined only killing it will solve the problem. We even had a prob with the fox coming during the day to take hens. Would a really hungry fox look to taking ferrets for food?
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I'm obviously not the expert you are. You can tell at birth the sex of the kits can you? That way you can tell which you want to keep? And of course at birth they show all the signs of whether they'll be a good worker?! You'll also want to consider the cost of feeding the kits etc. before you breed. Plus as said before, theres no shortage of good hobs to breed from, why use one with a defect that could be hereditary? Good luck.
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Go on your local library website, do a search with the word ferreting and request the books. I've read a few this way and can help you find a book that suits you. Some authors make the subject accessible others don't, also you may want one with extra sections on health and disease, some books only skim this topic.
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I'd say speak to all the local animal owners. My first hob was a rescue who came in a womans catflap playing with her cats. And he later broke out of his hutch here, and made a beeline for our neighbours 1/2 mile away and was found trying to 'play' with his dogs. She may also turn up with food e.g local poultry keepers etc. Good luck!
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If you get a locator and start to worry its killed underground first locate the ferret but don't necessarily dig straight away. Leave it a few mins and check again, see if its moved on. Also you're worried that your ferret is gettin the rabbits and not you. If you dig out the ferret is there any reason you can't share the kill? Does your hob mutilate the rabbits beyond recognition? No.
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Thankyou Kay, what you wrote was really helpful. At least now I'm better informed! As for the book, the bin awaits.
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Fair enough, if its shit its shit! Pity theres no governing body to make sure what books say has to be true, eh? So many people on this site recommend newbies to read as much as they can, and since books on ferret management are few on the ground, its just a pity when one turns round and bites you on the arse. But I don't think its very fair to jump on someone's back just cos they are misinformed! Just tell it straight otherwise how else are people supposed to learn? You know, one of the purposes of this site!
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Oh and just a question, which bit is shit exactly, or is it both? That ferrets are capable of spontaneous miscarriage or that a deaf ferret will neglect her kits because she can't hear them/ where they are? Just wondering?
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I did say I was no expert! Since I'm pretty much self taught when it comes to ferrets you can't blame me too much for reading a few books along the way. My info came from a book I own called 'The Ferret' by 'About Pets'. I have read others but they don't delve into reproduction so much. I am clearly humble in all of yours presence, since before joining this forum I've never had the benefit of other people's experience. And personally I'd rather make some awkward arrangements for housing rather than chance losing a litter. If I'm wrong, so be it, but some old wives tales are true you know
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I'm away to get my hob vasectomized. What are the odds that the op won't take? The vets up my way are pretty useless, and killed one of my jills trying to spay her.
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I love the first pic, that is one happy ferret! Every time I try to take a pic of my lot, all I get is a blur.
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If you've two hutches it may be enough. The pregnant jills will probably tolerate other ferrets, and they could help her out. It's just the two pregnant ones who should probably be kept apart until birthing. Oh and another bit about the miscarriage bit, it can happen if they smell or hear newborn kits (supposedly) so maybe keep their hutches well apart. But I'm no expert, I've only had two litters (not personally).
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It might be an idea to seperate the two (maybe) pregnant jills. I've never had two take at once but have heard that if they're kept together then when the first one gives birth, the other may miscarry in order to help raise the first ones kits. Plus if you've never bred them before you'll have to keep special eye on how they take to motherhood. Oh and I know this sounds funny but are they both of sound hearing? If they can't hear the kits then they'll just let them die!
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This is all common sense; but don't work a hungry ferret or it will probably want to 'snack'. Also when killing a rabbit it may be a good idea to put you boot over/in the hole until you can re-net it.
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Looks like you've got yourself a cracker there!
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I've heard it spreads like wild fire. Got a friend with an animal sanctuary and while they were down south someone came on the property carrying it and next day 30 rabbits dead or dying. The vet said R.H.D and that your boots/animals will spread it, supposedley. What a waste of good rabbit, they had to be incinerated!
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Can I also add that ferrets can live about 12 years. So long term care is also going to factor. At some point they'll probably get fleas (mine did the first time it looked at a rabbit), worms are common in carnivores, not to mention the diseases common in ferrets. And they'll become 'merely' pets when they're too old to work. If a £200 outlay is a problem then I'd say You may have a problem. BUT the £200 and more is not necessarily needed all at once. You sound a bit gung-ho now you have nets and I may give you the benefit of the doubt towards general maintanance, but you should NOT rush in
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If price is a problem then some cat foods are alot better than others. Ferrets need food with a minimum of 34% protein and 20% fat, with animal protein sources making up the higher percentages of protein derivatives. Go Cat kitten food is half the price of ferret food but contains, 40% protein with chicken being the main source. Sadly it only has 12% fat, which could I suppose be made up with the fat from meat brought into the house. My ferrets seem to love it when I run out of ferret food and at least its quite close to fitting their needs, alot better than generic cat food!
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We've got some pure albinos up with us, pretty easy to spot even in dense brush! That ginger one looks like it could have some pet in it's heritage maybe?
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I talked it to death! No really, I got a ferreter with experience to show me how to dislocate it's neck quick and clean and humane! I don't like the rabbit chop idea because knowing my luck I'd have a sore hand and a rather hurt and annoyed rabbit in my hands! Oh and I'm a she not a he, no offense taken.
