seth21

Of what practical use is a ferret that thinks it's job is to find kits, turn around and take one back to it's box and leaving the rest of a warren unexplored? With your all year round breeding rabbits this is going to be a pain in the ass and your going to need an army of retrieving ferrets to do each warren. I think the standard way of feeding ferrets before hunting and trying to breed a good working strain that would be less inclined to lay up is the way to go. Practical use: The ferret does not simply fetch a single kit to the nest box. The idea is to fetch every kit down ther

Normal ferret in every way, shape and form other then retrieving kits. Only gave her the whole rabbit to see if she would give it a crack. Perth WA Jamie

In 2 weeks I will enter Molly into her first live warren. I will set the camera and cross my fingers.. I will post footage - epic fails included!!!

1 video of transitional of late stages STEP 2 and early stages of STEP 3

1 video of early stages of STEP 2

Please be paitient mate, I'm filming and posting as I go. She currently enters an underground PVC maze and retrieves bait to the top, then enters her box with it. That is coming out of a dark place, into daylight then into box. I'm posting videos with great difficulty so please bare with me. Ps, got gloves on cos I just finished dressing a goat and couldn't blame her if she smelled goat on my hands.

2 videos of early stages: Step 1.

Hey Rob, I used a cage like a skinner box. The cage is attached to the ferret box I intend to use in the field and the ferret has access. The moment I give a treat/mouse I turn the hose/sprinkler on and the only option is to immidiately return to the box with the treat. Only turned the hose on twice. No more reminders necessary, it's just habbit now. I'm posting my early steps at the moment. Will continue filming win, lose or draw

Guys, surely teaching a ferret to retrieve is easier than teaching a mouse an obsticle course? labrador retrievers recieve training prior to being worked in the field. Surely a ferret is smarter than a mouse?

Hey Rob 190364 I am trying a 5 step process. I have achieved steps 1,2 & 3 will post links to video when I get some help with my computer All steps start with Jill leaving her box step 1. Retrieve "bait" from just outside box step 2. Retrieve from 1m poly pipe burrow step 3. Retrieve from large poly pipe maze step 4. Retrieve from disused rabbit warren step 5. Real deal like I said, I have filmed her success from steps 1,2 & 3 and will post soon. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated

Hey mate, not training her to avoid killing. Training to retrieve kit back to her box the second she makes the kill. Was wondering if anyone has tried before and what results?

Hey guys, was wondering if anyone has ever trained their ferrets against eating kits while in the ground? I have started training a green Jill and so far so good. Will enter her into her first Warren in a few weeks, so that will be the real test. Ps. Here in Australia the rabbits breed almost all year round.