Thinking of taking up ferreting

[Jordb543 9]

thanks for the tips every one, ill find a place in the garden for them to go and knock up some housing before i even start looking for ferrets, best to get them from wrking parents i take it?

 

 

Thanks for compliments,the pups 1/2 collie,1/4 bull,1/4 grey,

I have always kept my ferrets outside with no problems.Make sure the sleeping quarters are free from draughts and dampness,as the other guys have said give them plenty of bedding.I also drill some 1/2 inch holes around the top of sleeping compartment to allow air to circulate.You can,t see it in my pictures but the sleeping compartment is

built seperately from the main hutch so it can be lifted out for easy cleaning,

 

P.S. Don,t buy any pet shop crap,waste of money,

 

 

i never do, always built anything like that, my dad never did always built his own and made me help now im exactly the same lol, you can always build something better quality for a fraction of the price compared to these pet shop hutches, dog kennels etc

[whin 463]

best thing to do is go with guys who have been at the game and learn a bit first took many aguy etc out rabbiting hunting worth more than any computer or silly books at times tell them you dont mind digging pay for petrol etc somebody wil take you out learn from peopl who have been at the game a day with aknowedgble person is worth a dozen books even if you have yo pay your way

[KittleRox 2,147]

thanks for the tips every one, ill find a place in the garden for them to go and knock up some housing before i even start looking for ferrets, best to get them from wrking parents i take it?

 

 

Thanks for compliments,the pups 1/2 collie,1/4 bull,1/4 grey,

I have always kept my ferrets outside with no problems.Make sure the sleeping quarters are free from draughts and dampness,as the other guys have said give them plenty of bedding.I also drill some 1/2 inch holes around the top of sleeping compartment to allow air to circulate.You can,t see it in my pictures but the sleeping compartment is

built seperately from the main hutch so it can be lifted out for easy cleaning,

 

P.S. Don,t buy any pet shop crap,waste of money,

 

 

i never do, always built anything like that, my dad never did always built his own and made me help now im exactly the same lol, you can always build something better quality for a fraction of the price compared to these pet shop hutches, dog kennels etc

[Gerry48 10]

Aye

 

Welcme to the ferret forum bud

The welfare of ferrets is as mauch the same as for any small animal. keep them clean ,fed well and genrally healthy and you should have few problems.

 

some people prefer jills for working ,some hobs , I use both, BUT you will get as many different opinions on here as people all think differently,, and you will get some AMAZING advice on this place,, only tiny black eyed whites the size off gerbils are worth working, everything else is shite,,etc etc

You have to find out what suits you, but generally you can have success with any ferret.

 

It is generally preffered to keep more than one ferret and this is where the fun starts.

 

Jill and a hob is a good start,, and this the part that lots of people will think differently about,,,,this is MY advice

 

keep a VASECTOMISED hob (not castrated,,speyed is for jills by the way ! )

This will allow your jill(s) to be served every time they come into season,.The reason for this is a minefield, it can lead to anemea which may kill the jill, she will stay in season longer leading to increase in infection etc.

Hobs will beat the crap out of jills when shagging, try not to be too alarmed, it`s normal

 

Whether you want to breed is another matter,, some folk say if you do not breed a jill she will die etc etc ,,22 years and never lost an unbred jill yet bud It`s up to you on this one though,

 

 

keeping jills on there own,, generally no problem is always handy to have access to a hob though,(see above)

 

keeping more than one hob,,, fine!! done it plenty,, you will have fights ferrets do sometimes kill each other (rare)

especially in the breeding season (spring) If it`s a problem split them up. it`s common sense really.

 

This is just a start,, but one thing I will say ,is if you have a problem or query ,bring it here,, if it`s stupid, we`ll all take the piss out off you, if it`s genuine, you will get all the help you need,,, you will have to learn fast what info is bollocks from numtys but you`ll pick it up soon enough

 

As with all your animals though,, If you are worried about it ,take it to a good vet !!! it`s a small life not a toy and should be treated as such,, though if your anything like me,, you will love the wee buggers tae bits anyway

 

ATB

[Gerry48 10]

VERY GOOD ADVICE THERE MATE.

[martnmagik 68]

When you build your ferret court/hutch/run make sure its escape proof.

I have two ferrets and keep them in a traditional style hutch which I lined with respotek (the stuff they use in wet rooms etc)for easy cleaning.

I also have an reasonably new flight which I originally had budgies in that I am converting at the moment for the ferrets to play around in,

 

Awe the best with your new hobby,enjoy,

 

nice looking hutch and great looking dog whats its breeding?

 

do your ferrets live outside year round then?

Thanks for compliments,the pups 1/2 collie,1/4 bull,1/4 grey,

I have always kept my ferrets outside with no problems.Make sure the sleeping quarters are free from draughts and dampness,as the other guys have said give them plenty of bedding.I also drill some 1/2 inch holes around the top of sleeping compartment to allow air to circulate.You can,t see it in my pictures but the sleeping compartment is

built seperately from the main hutch so it can be lifted out for easy cleaning,

 

P.S. Don,t buy any pet shop crap,waste of money,

once bought a pet shop hutch out of sheer laziness and less than 10 hours later they had pretty much eaten the hutch and escaped.... good job my garden was brick walled or i wouldnt have got them back. atb mart

[Rake aboot 4,936]

VERY GOOD ADVICE THERE MATE.

 

 

[turbo28 1]

Cheers Jordb543 been having a nightmare with my drinking bottles with all this bad weather...gona try the bubble wrap!!

[Jordb543 9]

Cheers Jordb543 been having a nightmare with my drinking bottles with all this bad weather...gona try the bubble wrap!!

 

no worries mate, i dont get to give alot of advice or tips on here as im new to the whole hunting thing lol,

 

our rabbits where subject to frost last night cars all froze up puddles rock solid but their water bottles remained 100% unfrozen probably just abit cold

[stu_wat 1]

Keep us in the loop and get some pics up of the hutch and the ferrets.

[matt241075 12]

hi mate

don’t waste any time and get yourself set up to go ferreting if you send me your address I will post you a book or two (free of charge) to read through.....

I agree the best way is hands on but to read through a book can also give you good knowledge and basic skills with care feeding etc and will give you a bit of inspiration to get out

doing it

atb

matt