ratting with ferrets

[rushty 1]

I was wondering how many folks use their ferrets to bolt rats. I am into ratting and I think using a ferret would be more rewarding. Is there a specific type or will any ferret do the job. Any advice would be much appreciated, cheersd Ted

[longdog13 36]

I was wondering how many folks use their ferrets to bolt rats. I am into ratting and I think using a ferret would be more rewarding. Is there a specific type or will any ferret do the job. Any advice would be much appreciated, cheersd Ted

 

1stly it'll need to fit down a rat hole, make sure there is no possibility of the tunnels intersecting drainage pipes, lost ferret, also always use a locator, micro or Mk3 would be best due to the confined spaces

 

And use an older ferret, take a first aid kit for your ferrets with you

 

Thats covered it i think :thumbs:

[rushty 1]

I was wondering how many folks use their ferrets to bolt rats. I am into ratting and I think using a ferret would be more rewarding. Is there a specific type or will any ferret do the job. Any advice would be much appreciated, cheersd Ted

 

1stly it'll need to fit down a rat hole, make sure there is no possibility of the tunnels intersecting drainage pipes, lost ferret, also always use a locator, micro or Mk3 would be best due to the confined spaces

 

And use an older ferret, take a first aid kit for your ferrets with you

 

Thats covered it i think :thumbs:

 

Thanks for reply longdog , sounds like you have experience using them on rats. Can i ask you do ferrets pack in with rats after a while or will they work rats season after season, cheers again.

[Ideation 8,216]

I don't ferret for rats so i'm no expert - but friends who do say that nearly all ferrets will pack it in at some point after taking a few beatings, some are off it for good and some will go back after a break. However they are still good for rabbits.

 

 

Some advice - read up/ask advice on ferret health/sickness/injury, buy a big bottle of antiseptic and get friendly with a local vet, ferrets can take some really nasty beatings from rats. Some get killed and i've seen a few eyeless.

 

Many have no problems at all - it's all down to luck.

 

have fun!

 

Jai.

[grdavison 0]

i was ferreting on sunday and dug down to [bANNED TEXT] thought was a rabbit to find a rat and 3 rabbits at a stop end the rat was going beserk and the ferret was goin at it then backing off got my mate went to get ferret owt and it giv him a nasty bite - have been told few times ferrets go abit crazy afta working rats dont no how true it is like

 

atb

 

gary

[rushty 1]

I don't ferret for rats so i'm no expert - but friends who do say that nearly all ferrets will pack it in at some point after taking a few beatings, some are off it for good and some will go back after a break. However they are still good for rabbits.

 

 

Some advice - read up/ask advice on ferret health/sickness/injury, buy a big bottle of antiseptic and get friendly with a local vet, ferrets can take some really nasty beatings from rats. Some get killed and i've seen a few eyeless.

 

Many have no problems at all - it's all down to luck.

 

have fun!

 

Jai.

 

Thanks for reply mate , I know what damage that rats can do to the dogs so I was wonderin does anyone think its cruel using ferrets on rats

[salclalin 240]

The Only time i've Used Ferrets to Rats was in a Small Barn in amongst some Bales of Hay.The Ferret acquitted herself Admirably and Bolted quite A few Rats but Returned with a Nasty Slash just above her Eye.That was the Last time i've Ever entered a Ferret to Rats.Nowadays i use A Discutter Engine to Bolt them .But my Mate Red Dog has just Purchased a Rat Smoker from Arthur Carter which we'll be Using Shortly.Good Luck if you Use Ferret's to Bolt Rat's.

[longdog13 36]

The Only time i've Used Ferrets to Rats was in a Small Barn in amongst some Bales of Hay.The Ferret acquitted herself Admirably and Bolted quite A few Rats but Returned with a Nasty Slash just above her Eye.That was the Last time i've Ever entered a Ferret to Rats.Nowadays i use A Discutter Engine to Bolt them .But my Mate Red Dog has just Purchased a Rat Smoker from Arthur Carter which we'll be Using Shortly.Good Luck if you Use Ferret's to Bolt Rat's.

 

 

Let us know how you get on with the Arthur Carter smoker mate, Heard mixed reviews

[rushty 1]

The Only time i've Used Ferrets to Rats was in a Small Barn in amongst some Bales of Hay.The Ferret acquitted herself Admirably and Bolted quite A few Rats but Returned with a Nasty Slash just above her Eye.That was the Last time i've Ever entered a Ferret to Rats.Nowadays i use A Discutter Engine to Bolt them .But my Mate Red Dog has just Purchased a Rat Smoker from Arthur Carter which we'll be Using Shortly.Good Luck if you Use Ferret's to Bolt Rat's.

 

 

Let us know how you get on with the Arthur Carter smoker mate, Heard mixed reviews

 

now i CAN advise on that smoker and my advice is cancel the bugger asap as it really is crap ( we have one) , they give off lots of smoke BUT they r so temperamental, rai or windy conditions and they are useless.However the worst part is that sometimes it can give off flames , not good if on a farm amongst straw etc.

[Hunter 20Ten 0]

only used ferrets for bolting rats twice...its gud crack tho!

 

but herd that ferrets can get a bit jumpy n snapy whill working rats.

 

but goodluck anyway

[wilson4347 5]

if you value your ferrets, then dont put them to rats, you see the damage they do to terriers! jut my opinion.

[danny dolman 4]

always use a large hob and never a gill. Ferrets will more than likely work rats but after a while they just simply stop. I have a large polecat who done exceptionally well on rats and then one day came out all bloody.. now he wont do them at all but it will still work rabbits.

 

Its your call matey

ATB

[Ideation 8,216]

Cruel? Not neccessarily, at least no more cruel than running whippets at large dog fox or flying hh's at crows, in both situations your animal can get hurt and maybe you will walk away wishing you hadn't tried.

 

I don't ferret for rats simply cos i'm way to attached to my ferrets and the amount of time put into them makes them too valuble to me to have one killed or badly injured hunting something i can't eat!

 

Someone above suggests using a large hob - which can work if you are ferreting a tip or piles of wood or other rough ground or hay bales in a barn - but if your wanting them to go down the actual rat holes then your pretty much gonna have to use a wee jill.

 

At the end of the day it can be enjoyable sport and some seem to prefer it to rabbits - i guess the rats are always home and boltat a faster rate! However when you look at the damage those little b*****ds can do to your dogs and the fact that you can use a smoker or other device with almost as much affect (and greater ease/speed/less fuss)i think that maybe it just isn't worth it. Unless of course your not too fussed with your ferrets being ripped to shit and generally having a shorter life-span. I however love them little beasts

 

Jai.

[dicky82 1]

im currently training my little jrt on the rats. hes doing ok so far but i have to admit i was a little taken aback by how much of a fight the little shits put up. i once saw a wild (or strayed) ferret taking on a rat twice his size near the canal up by me. although the ferret was giving a good account of himself he was pretty bloodied, the rat eventually met his end with a swift blow of a stick i picked up. the ferret ran off before i could try catch it. . .anyway my point is i think if your ferrets are your hobby i wouldnt risk it, however if killing rats by whatever means is your hobby than you have your answer. Edited January 21, 2010 by dicky82

[Coneytrappr 30]

Personally I wouldn't do it, for the exact same reason that Ideation wouldn't. I take a lot of pride in the condition of my ferrets and have no desire to see them with [their own] blood all over them! Especially for something I can't even eat or use.

I would leave the rats for the smoke and terriers.