All advice welcome

[PaddockSteve 0]

Hi

 

Just thought it was time to say hi

 

Having been shooting for while now the usual vermin Rabbits, Pigeon, Squirrel etc, I am seriously considering taking up working with ferrets and would be grateful for any hints, tips and guidance for a complete novice, there are a few questions below that answers to would be good, however please don't stop there, I have already read quite a bit on here and other sources and would like to expand my knowledge before taking the plunge.

 

Immediate questions would be

 

1. Can you work your ferrets on any common ground such as public footpaths, I know you need permission with guns on private land, and I do have a couple of permissions where I shoot

 

2. Are ferrets prone to any particular illness/disease (just thinking about expensive vets bills

 

3. Are Rabbit hutches good living quarters

 

4. Are ferrets better to be kept indoors or outdoors

 

Looking forward to any advice

 

Thanks

 

Steve

[JoeD 24]

1 - No you need permission anywhere you hunt otherwise it is poaching, this includes common lands and public footpaths as everything is owned by someone.

2 - No not really they can pick up canine distemper but this is quite rare.

3 - The bigger the size the better, a hutch will do just make sure the mesh is strong enough so that the ferret can't bite through as they are little escape artists.

4 - I would say outdoors as they do have a distinct smell, especially hobs (males) saying that it is personal preference and people do keep ferrets indoors.

 

And thats about it.

 

Joe

[PaddockSteve 0]

1 - No you need permission anywhere you hunt otherwise it is poaching, this includes common lands and public footpaths as everything is owned by someone.

2 - No not really they can pick up canine distemper but this is quite rare.

3 - The bigger the size the better, a hutch will do just make sure the mesh is strong enough so that the ferret can't bite through as they are little escape artists.

4 - I would say outdoors as they do have a distinct smell, especially hobs (males) saying that it is personal preference and people do keep ferrets indoors.

 

And thats about it.

 

Joe

Thanks Joe

 

Very helpful

[JoeD 24]

No problem at all, that what this forums for

 

Joe

[PaddockSteve 0]

Not sure whether to start another thread, but another question has come to mind

 

Best places to buy your ferret stuff, and also purse nets, and what size and type

 

Thanks guys and gals

 

Steve

[JoeD 24]

I would say ebay is best if not ask on here and people might be able to make you nets (more expensive but in my oppinion better)

But the cheapest place to buy locators (if you choose to use one) is deffinately ebay.

Joe

[The one 8,493]

Where your shooting might be a good place to ask the owner if you can ferret .

 

Ferrets are pretty hardy they can with stand the cold but overheat easy

 

Rabbits hutches are fine as long as its not one of the b+q plywood specials .And the mesh should be weldmesh as they soon get threw chicken/rabbit netting

 

Outdoors for me as the males tend to smell a bit when there in breeding season

[longnetter 32]

PM me for cheap nets mate

 

ATB

[gaz1980 0]

I would use hemp nets as longnetter said pm him, heard many good things about his nets and will be following that up around pay day this week myself. I have been using nylon and there a pain in the arse!!

 

I keep mine in my cellar 2 x hobs. I live in an old victorian terrace which had an old cuboard built into

the bay window. Took one door off and replaced with Perspex plastic and drilled one and a half inch holes into it for a constant flow of air. What use to be a shelf i cut a hole out and run plenty of pipe through it to give them two floor.

 

There quarters don't seem to smell as much as i thought they might, i change there bedding every other day and dont seem to have any problems really although im sure that could change.

 

Before the above i used a metal locker that i got from work, took one door off and replaced with mesh,

kept other door on. It worked fine just wanted to offer them more room to play and move about.

 

You dont have to buy a hutch its just as easy to be creative

[fieldsportsman 107]

Not sure whether to start another thread, but another question has come to mind

 

Best places to buy your ferret stuff, and also purse nets, and what size and type

 

Thanks guys and gals

 

Steve

you can find most of the equipment on the for sale section