Starting Kits

[Dan Davies 7]

What's the best way to bring on working ferrets? So you get the best out of them? I've been told a few things! Just wondering peoples tricks and tips

[The one 8,495]

Spend the summer putting them threw pipes etc . putting collars on and off them like everything else the more you put into them the more you will get out of them , its no good getting kitts and letting them spend the summer in there hutch them come September is the first time they see a carrying box and a collar ,burrow and expect them to work like Trojans

[vanman1 411]

Spend the summer putting them threw pipes etc . putting collars on and off them like everything else the more you put into them the more you will get out of them , its no good getting kitts and letting them spend the summer in there hutch them come September is the first time they see a carrying box and a collar ,burrow and expect them to work like Trojans

Yep spot on! Handle handle and handle some more.The ferrets need to learn to trust you and you the ferrets. As The One says put em through pipes/logs etc placing collars on and off all help getting that trust going.

[Dan Davies 7]

Thanks for the advice! What is the best way to get them to work a warren once they are ready to work? Or will this come through the amount of work they get?

[The one 8,495]

Once you get them going threw pipes they should be okay for small warrens or you could try them with a older ferret but they wont go deep enough to work large warrens on there own till they learn

[northern lad 2,292]

Plenty of time spent picking them up off the floor too,get them used to being around feet

[krawnden 1,036]

Plenty of time spent picking them up off the floor too,get them used to being around feet

Spot on - I have a plastic covered mesh cat carrying basket that I always put mine in while I clean them out. I put that on the floor by my feet and move about a bit, have the dog out etc so they are completely used to seeing it all from floor level. Also get some dried leaves and chuck them down so as I walk about I make a rustling sound. I've seen other people's ferrets come to the mouth of the hole then owner walks over to get them but rustles through dry leaves and they panic at the sound and scoot back down the hole. The noise never bothers mine cos they've been used to it at home every day.

[The one 8,495]

Thats the thing i see them as a puppy you wouldn't take a puppy into the field and just let it run loose the rest of it's life time spent training the ferrets as kits will repay itself for years later in the long run just take your time and move slow till there used to the movement about a burrow and they should turn out bomb proof