a working ferret lifespan

[AndyKelly 251]

ive got a few jills that i feel are coming to the end of their life as they are going into there 4th season . towards the end of last years rabbiting they decided to start pratting around, they would bolt the rabbit but then decide to go back down the burrows or just play around in the tops of the holes.so as they are a good line of ferret they have been lined with my sandy hob and are now retired hoping to get a good line of workers off them. has anyone else got this problem or have you got jills that have worked longer than 4 seasons?

[night moocher 41]

hi pal, for the past 4 seasons this season just gone, ive worked two gills both coming 5 and me old hobb in his 8th season ans still showing no signs of slowing down, their teeth are still in good order and body are in good shape for their ages,always kept my own breed and the two gills lined to the old hobb are his distant relations[ not to close ]. i will rear meself a cpl of kits and god willing they will take over when the old ones finish ....steve

[The one 8,482]

Im working jills at seven and eight years old got older jills here that get a odd day out and sleep the rest of the week ,At four in my opinion there in there prime

[reddawn 2,173]

i got a 5 year old jill here that shows no signs of slowing down yet, last year i lost an old jill who was 9, tho she started ageing real quick in her 6th season an died with a cataract in 1 eye, seems i can get more than 4 seasons out me jills, but try an even get 4 good seasons out a hob, i just dont seem to be able to get the hobs to go the distance

Edited April 15, 2012 by reddawn

[Guest vin]

My mates got an old albino jill that is blind and deaf but is still working on the odd occasion and she,s just finished her 9th season.. I would consider a 4 years old to be in its prime as a worker.

They were probably coming into season Andy and hormones starting to kick in...sends em daft for a while.

[fatlad 250]

ive just lined a bitch thats 5 and shes showing no signs of slowing down, ive had them messing around when they come into season but i find hobs dont work aswell from the end of january they start getting one track minds

[Sky09 8]

my old girl is coming up 7 and is still going strong like its been said mine arse about when they are dew in season

[max abell 196]

Had loads of jills that have worked up to 8yrs old and worked quite well but personaly i think ferrets are at there best at 3 to 4 yrs

[AndyKelly 251]

she wasnt in season guys unfortunaly she passed away a couple of hours ago. mabey she wasnt feeling to good and i missed it

[reddawn 2,173]

she wasnt in season guys unfortunaly she passed away a couple of hours ago. mabey she wasnt feeling to good and i missed it

 

 

ferrets can be funny wee critters mate, ye think you know em, an then summat shit happens, chin up, atb

[foxdigger13 114]

I've got a pair of 5 year old jills who are still working great and are fit and playful,

 

Cheers fd.

[tank34 2,344]

got hob he 7 an still plays like a young one, an will work all day mate

[dannyboy P 5]

Got years left mate. Iv got one here 9 and another 5. They seem to get better with age. Going to get another kit this year to bring on with these 2.

[tomburras 2,730]

my friend has a hob called lubert who is 9 years old and he was a flyer, he was still working ok last season and he has actuelly gone grey and his hair has thinned like a old man, but my friend says iast winter was his last season. he says he will not be using him next season and he is now going to be retired to his best huch happily ever after as a pet ferret with rabbits on tap. respect to him thats the way to retire them.

[Mark White 25]

I have 2 males 1 female that are all in there 7th or 8th year and still working well along with 3 male that are in the 3rd I would say the old boys work well and have learnt the ropes in fact 2 of them are great put them down once they have cleared the warren they go back to the box and gets in by its self then we go to the next one and they work again and come back out and in to the box. but agree 3rd 4th year they are in there prime as they work that bit faster.