8 month old polecat ferrets

[jf1970 328]

i bought 2 8 month old polecat ferrets last week and i am taking them out for the first time tomorrow morn,the guy i bought them from says that they have bolted a few bunnies,would this be the right age to start and at what age should i expect them to be doing the job no problem,hope iam not going out tomorrow to make an arse of myself .i suppose we all have to start somewhere any advice,tips would be most welcome.thanks

[polecat93 4]

my 2 ferrets are 8 month old aswell , bolt great , just try them in smallish sets and when you think they are working good try them in bigger sets

 

polecat93

[stubby 175]

although they may perform well, dont expect anything great untill they are in the second year

[Ideation 8,216]

Most important thing is that they are well handled and used to you picking them up. Find a nice smallish set with only a couple of holes and fresh activity. Do everything slowly and methodically and all should be ok. Most ferrets are naturally inquisitive and will head down the hole to have a look see and if these two have bolted a few already then they will probs smell rabbit and head straight down. If they dont want to go down - dont force them - there may be nothing at home so try another set.

 

Also do not snatch them up when they come to the mouth of the hole, call them out and pick them up gently - this will avoid any skulking.

 

If a rabbit hits the nets chances are the ferret will not be far behind and will follow it up - so quickly and calmly remove rabbit from the net, dispatch it and drop it by the hole for ferret to have a bite at. Helps them see the point of bolting them for you.

 

Hope some of that helps!

 

Jai.

[jf1970 328]

Most important thing is that they are well handled and used to you picking them up. Find a nice smallish set with only a couple of holes and fresh activity. Do everything slowly and methodically and all should be ok. Most ferrets are naturally inquisitive and will head down the hole to have a look see and if these two have bolted a few already then they will probs smell rabbit and head straight down. If they dont want to go down - dont force them - there may be nothing at home so try another set.

 

Also do not snatch them up when they come to the mouth of the hole, call them out and pick them up gently - this will avoid any skulking.

 

If a rabbit hits the nets chances are the ferret will not be far behind and will follow it up - so quickly and calmly remove rabbit from the net, dispatch it and drop it by the hole for ferret to have a bite at. Helps them see the point of bolting them for you.

 

Hope some of that helps!

 

Jai.

they are well handled dont mind being picked up,thanks for advice it really does help should i feed them in morning before they go out or wait till i come back?

[wilson4347 5]

I always feed in the morning before i go, but early on as the hob likes a nap after his food!

[jf1970 328]

I always feed in the morning before i go, but early on as the hob likes a nap after his food!

i plan to be on my permission at 9 am so would 7 am be good enough?

[terrierone 32]

always feed mine 2 hours [bANNED TEXT] im out , not a big feed tho mate g luck

[jf1970 328]

always feed mine 2 hours [bANNED TEXT] im out , not a big feed tho mate g luck

thanks for all the advice.atb

[Ideation 8,216]

Yer i feed mine a good bit in the eve before and then in the morning they get a light snack of a bit of raw meat and maybe some egg and plenty of water. I usually also take water with me and offer them a drink throughout the day if its going to be a long one - that way they stay fresh and dont waste time looking for a drink when down. I also sometimes give them small mouthfuls of meat occaisionaly during the day, especially after they have bolted a decent number from a set. However the amounts must be literally a taste as you dont want to make them sleepy!

[taff3915 2]

Edited February 3, 2010 by taff3915

[theferreter 311]

although they may perform well, dont expect anything great untill they are in the second year

couldent agree more they will still bolt you a few though atb

[jf1970 328]

interesting thread you all feed up before the day, me personally give them very little the day before, I want them to work hard if there not hungry they have no incentive to work the rabbit hard (to kill) especially if the rabbit gives the ferret a few kicks. Alot of people presume if the ferret kills it will lay up, not happened with my 3 and there diet is gutted rabbits with skins on. each to there own I guess.

my mate says he knows someone who gives them a raw egg in morning going out.

[The one 8,463]

At eight month old they should be a good size and i would be trying them in smallish burrows but i would be checking it with a older working ferret to see there doing the job right

[Coneytrappr 30]

interesting thread you all feed up before the day, me personally give them very little the day before, I want them to work hard if there not hungry they have no incentive to work the rabbit hard (to kill) especially if the rabbit gives the ferret a few kicks. Alot of people presume if the ferret kills it will lay up, not happened with my 3 and there diet is gutted rabbits with skins on. each to there own I guess.

 

 

I haven't found that to be true at all. I feed mine before we go out and they will work for as long and as hard as necessary. A few kicks certainly won't put them off...if mine worried about a few kicks, hungry or not, then they probably wouldn't be the ferrets I would choose to work.

 

Yes, each to their own. But I do not go ferreting without having had breakfast and I have to do considerably less than the ferrets, so I don't expect them to work on an empty stomach either.