Rescued Ferret...

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

I was just getting ready to go to bed last night at about 10pm and the phone rang, it was my next door neighbour. "Gaz, its Mick, Ive found a ferret, do you want it?". My first thoughts was that one of mine had escaped and got into his garden or house. But it turns out he found it running around the factory at work.

 

He said one of the lads reckons its been living in the factory for a few weeks!

 

I said I didn't want it but I would have it to get it right and then rehome it.

 

Anyway this morning I woke up and there was a box in the porch with "ferret" written on it.

 

I opened the lid and it is the biggest polecat hob ive ever seen. It must be 2 foot long, maybe more. Skin and bone, ribs sticking out and really dehydrated. I offered him my fist and he was really gentle, just wanted me to pick him up. He was cleary stressed but not aggressive at all.

 

Ive given him a rabbit, some dry food and a bowl of water and put him in a spare hutch on its own.

 

Now from his size i would say hes definitely not a kit, he is a big lad. But hes got no testicles? Now ive only got 1 hob and he is 2 years old and even now he is out of season he has still got a visible pair hanging down.

 

What age do hob kits testicles descend? Im thinking that he has probably been castrated? He hasnt got that "hob smell" to him either.

 

I will post some pics when i get home tonight.

 

Thanks

 

Gaz

[onthehunt 40]

Yeah Gaz, he's definitely a castrated/neutered hob. plenty of folks i know have them as pets and workers. their smell is different, kind of 'ink-like' is only wway i can descibe it lol strong but not unpleasant like an entire hob smell. Testicles can descend from the ages of 7-13 months in my experience depending on other factors such as when they were born, weather, light etc. he should still have a small pair at this time of year so your right.

 

Good that you've taken him in, hope he finds a nice home

[onthehunt 40]

Neutered hobs are much bigger than entire ones because they usually eat a lot more, have more fat than muscle.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Thanks for the reply.

 

There is a chance he is a young hob and not got his balls yet but im sure that for his size he isnt a kit from this year.

Hes got no fat on him but hes clearly not been eating. Hes in good hands now, he thinks hes gone to ferret heaven

 

I might keep him, Ive quite taken a shine to him.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

If he is castrated will he work? Or will any prey drive be gone?

[pie-eater 377]

If he is castrated will he work? Or will any prey drive be gone?

Some people prefer castrated hobs for working to entire ones. I think its because they don't get distracted early and late in the season when they would have their mind on mating.

[B.P.R 2,798]

Neutered hobs are much bigger than entire ones because they usually eat a lot more, have more fat than muscle.

Dont think thats correct mate... all 3 of mine were castrated and smaller than your average hob....

[B.P.R 2,798]

If he is castrated will he work? Or will any prey drive be gone?

They work just as well as any other ferret...

 

I worked 3 castrated hobs for 3 seasons and they were spot on ....

[Alice Mills 0]

Poor little man.

[onthehunt 40]

 

Neutered hobs are much bigger than entire ones because they usually eat a lot more, have more fat than muscle.

Dont think thats correct mate... all 3 of mine were castrated and smaller than your average hob....

 

Given the chance mate, neutered cats/dogs/ferrets will eat and eat and eat, hence the reason most are fat and shapeless that's not to say they won't stay in shape so long as they are not allowed to binge or given too many dinner leftovers etc. especially if the animal works they are likely to stay fit. really i was using pets as an example.

 

I am not saying all neutered ferrets will be fat but they will have a much higher fat to muscle ratio. this has nothing to do with how large they grow or big-framed they will get.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Thanks for the replies folks

[B.P.R 2,798]

 

 

Neutered hobs are much bigger than entire ones because they usually eat a lot more, have more fat than muscle.

Dont think thats correct mate... all 3 of mine were castrated and smaller than your average hob....

Given the chance mate, neutered cats/dogs/ferrets will eat and eat and eat, hence the reason most are fat and shapeless that's not to say they won't stay in shape so long as they are not allowed to binge or given too many dinner leftovers etc. especially if the animal works they are likely to stay fit. really i was using pets as an example. I am not saying all neutered ferrets will be fat but they will have a much higher fat to muscle ratio. this has nothing to do with how large they grow or big-framed they will get.

Most people that get their ferrets castrated...will be for easy integration into a group...

 

For example a pet ferret owner with multiple hobs and jills... usually all will be neutered...or have the implant...

 

And seeing as they are pets... some will be he size of a cat....

[The one 8,463]

This time of year your ferret could be out of season and there testes retreat back up into there body till next spring

[onthehunt 40]

True but when out of season there should be a small visible sack if you look closely. My hobs are 4 and 5 months old and they have tiny but visible ball sacks. My other hobs (still in season) have small ball sacks during the winter.

Edited September 17, 2013 by onthehunt

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

My out of season hob has still got a small visible ball sack. This Hob has got nothing.

 

I've just been up to have a closer look and apart from being very thin he appears healthy. His teeth are not that of a kit. Discoloured. And his fangs are both chipped.

 

I am almost certain he has been castrated.