Jill Thats Give Birth ?

[foxtails 272]

i had 2 jills living in the same cage for months, 1 come in season, so i mated her, then the other ferret came into season 3 weeks later, the 1st jill caught, the second jill didnt as far as im aware,, the 1st jill had 9 kits , then 1 died, 8 left, every time i open the cage the mother keeps running over to the other jills cage and dragging her by the neck into where her kits are, (strange) anyway i kept splitting them up , untill tonight, i let her in with the other jills kits, thery were all completly fine together, EVERYONE was relaxed even the mother, but im thinking is the mother hoping for a brake ? ? can the 1 jill that didnt catch produce milk ? ? iv split them back up just incase a kit gets left out by the sagragate mum..... any help will be much a;ppriciated cheers atb foxtails

[CrowHawker 227]

Hi if it were me I'd keep them separate as a precaution and let the mother do it herself as you don't know what the non parent will do In the long run think that is the safest all round. Atb Matt

Edited May 20, 2013 by CrowHawker

[whippet 99 2,613]

the other jill that didnt catch can produce milk........i have had it happen here recently ,..i had two jills in together and the one thats had the kits you can see she hasnt been feeding them aswell as the other which has fostered them more........they always drag the other adult ferrets into the nest by the back of the neck this time of year the same as they do with the kits when they start to stray from the nest........just keep an eye on them and if any start dieing you need to make changes ,.........either milk is starting to dry up or the other is killing them ,..............i check mine morning and night whilst feeding the adults ,.......keep count of them and just use your common sense ......the adult should have a nice pouch of milk sagging down and as soon as you got them off the mother the better as the worst is over ,............the milk stage is the most critical and you need to make sure that the mothers have plenty milk / egg and meat ...........mine are thrieving on rabbit and venison ,.........with a egg here and there

[The one 8,524]

If there happy and your happy leave them together

[Rake aboot 4,936]

The one with Kitts will be trying to mother the other Jill, but yes, she could produce milk, and may take some of the strain off the litter.

 

If they are happy and you are happy, then as The One has stated,, leave them