1st step back

[terryd 8,598]

Well at the ripe age of 42 after not having ferrets since I was about 20 I have decided to get back into it. Made the first step tonight and went too pets at home nad bought a rather nice looking hutch. Then met a chap who had a lovely couple of jills for sale just over a year old they seem great too handle.

When I got every thing home it came as quite a surprise too the wife and kids who new nothing about it. Much too my amazement the girls are over the moon all most a much as the wife is

She has been digging out some jumpers for there bedding for tonight

Will pick up some straw and saw dust tomorrow.

 

So next we need some nets,carry box and the hard part a locator. Also need to train our dog not to kill them and hopefully mark holes so plenty to do.

I have too say the happiest days of my life were with the dogs and ferrets when I was young apart from the wife and kids of course.

Will take some pics tomorrow.

 

Just read online you have to breed a jill or they basically get ill and die is that correct I don't recall that happening when I was a kid

[Tug 168]

You don't have to breed them, but you either have to mate them with a vasectomised hob, get them spayed or have the vet give them a hormone injection.

 

Ferrets are what is referred to as a "stimulated ovulator". When they come into season they will stay in season without releasing an egg until they mate, this can lead to severe anaemia and all sorts of infections as their back end is hanging out like a geordie lasses on a hen do.

Edited November 25, 2011 by Tug

[terryd 8,598]

You don't have to breed them, but you either have to mate them with a vasectomised hob, get them spayed or have the vet give them a hormone injection.

 

Ferrets are what is referred to as a "stimulated ovulator". When they come into season they will stay in season without releasing an egg until they mate, this can lead to severe anaemia and all sorts of infections as their back end is hanging out like a geordie lasses on a hen do.

 

mmm interesting would the hormone injection be a one off ?

I read that it needs to be done before they come into season. Better ring the vet and get a price and advice. Might also ring the chap incase they have been breed all ready too

Edited November 25, 2011 by terryd

[ferret100 47]

Technically it is advised to 'jill jab' before they come into season, but they can be jabbed after they come into season. The jill jab or hormone injection may be a one-off procedure, but it may need to be repeated, same as using a hoblet. It's pretty impossible to predict. Every method has risks, but the associated risks vastly out-weigh the risks of leaving a jill in-season. Atb.

 

Edited to say, a hoblet is a sucessfully vasecomised hob.

Edited November 25, 2011 by ferret100

[darbo 4,776]

good luck with your new venture terry. hope you have many happy days in the field. good to hear of your old intrest being rekindled. atb

just a little observation get wood shavings and not saw dust.

Edited November 25, 2011 by darbo

[terryd 8,598]

Thanks for the info every one and the shavings tip.

Will ring the vet in the morning get them both done then the breeding side of things is sorted. That will be a worry other wise. They look in great health at the moment so want too keep them that way.

[darbo 4,776]

terry the ferrets will only come in season from spring onwards. no need to do anything till then. just spend time handling them and introducing them to the dog etc.

[ferret100 47]

Ferts can come into season at any time of year. Just depends of the amount of light they get. Natural light patterns tend to keep hormones under control during winter, ferts tend to come into season around march, there are always exceptions, usually with hybrids. If using a jill-jab, best to do in feb, spaying similar, best to 'treat' jills before they come into season., unless using a hoblet, obviously. Hobs best to castrate when 'descended' and testosterone is coursing, makes operating easier, as does vascectomising them (easier to locate and tie the 'tubes'). Chopping off visible testicles is better than trying to find them! Bascially treat/dress jills before breeding season and treat/dress hobs after they come into season. Unless you are planning to use an implant.

[Jamie m 668]

Well at the ripe age of 42 after not having ferrets since I was about 20 I have decided to get back into it. Made the first step tonight and went too pets at home nad bought a rather nice looking hutch. Then met a chap who had a lovely couple of jills for sale just over a year old they seem great too handle.

When I got every thing home it came as quite a surprise too the wife and kids who new nothing about it. Much too my amazement the girls are over the moon all most a much as the wife is

She has been digging out some jumpers for there bedding for tonight

Will pick up some straw and saw dust tomorrow.

 

So next we need some nets,carry box and the hard part a locator. Also need to train our dog not to kill them and hopefully mark holes so plenty to do.

I have too say the happiest days of my life were with the dogs and ferrets when I was young apart from the wife and kids of course.

Will take some pics tomorrow.

 

Just read online you have to breed a jill or they basically get ill and die is that correct I don't recall that happening when I was a kid

Wellcome back , not long back myself this is my third season back at it , one thing though the state of the ferret ain't what it was I hope you got your stock from tried and tested working ferret stock ???? So much pet ferrets mate they will turn and flee when a rabbit kicks off lol ,

[KittleRox 2,147]

Hope you get as much pleasure as you did a few years back, atb

[rob190364 2,594]

have fun pal............word of warning though, most hutches I've seen in pets at home aren't touch enough to hold a ferret, wood's too thin! (and they're fookin expensive for what they are anyway!!)....Wouldn't want you to wake up to find they've gone!

[duse 0]

watch they cant get through the mesh of the pets at home hutch sure it has been mentioned on here.