Handling The Ferret

[Hatsan2015 0]

i have a young jill and he keeps backing up as i try to get him out of the cage to put him in the box i have to put my falconry glove on to hold how can i teach it not to bite

[rabbit demon 302]

Start picking it up without the glove just tight enough so it cant get its head around to bite you, if it tries to bite hiss at it or tell it no and scruff it gently but tight enough so you dont lose your grip of it till it yawns keep doing that everytime it has an attempt at biting. Spend a couple hours a day with it till its fully nip trained. What age is it ?.

[The one 8,511]

Feed it handle it , feed it handle it show your scared the ferret senses this and will keep it up do it right and there should be a big difference in a couple of weeks

[Donna Wildwood 288]

If he does manage a bite, don't snatch your hand away! Gently press it into the ferts mouth, he'll hate it and spit your hand/finger out. Don't be rough doing though, or you may injure him.

Teabag was a horrible little nipper, but he's fine now. Took alittle while but stick with it and he'll be ok

[Gaz6br 193]

Never used gloves when handling ferrets, handle them every day, cup your hand let them drink milk from it, grab them all different ways

 

Never had a problem

 

Gaz

 

If he does bite flick his nose it's like someone giving you a punch for doing something wrong

Edited January 21, 2015 by Gaz6br

[Jax13 251]

I got my first ones this year and they were a tad unruly to begin with.

 

I persevered with them nipping and trying to bite me for a week or so then resorted to bitter apple spray (amazon) and just coated my hands before handling them.

 

They aren't keen on it so if they tried to bite they backed off a bit and I just pushed my finger I to their mouths as they backed off to reinforce the bad behaviour for when I didn't use the spray.

 

This method only took another week or so before they were happy with quick handling sessions. I probably stopped using it after just 2 weeks.

 

Perseverance seems to be the key from my limited experience, also try not to use a glove, especially a heavy one as you don't know how firm you are gripping them.

 

If it is backing off, try hand feeding rabbit liver slices or a malt paste / ferretone type product. They like licking it off things (it's also great for keeping them still and distracted while you put locator collars on them! Just a quick squeeze on top of the carry box and put them down next to it!

 

Time should cure it, just don't try too hard to rush it.

[rabbit demon 302]

My Jills just after hanging off my finger tip there when I was feeding them, first time she ever bit and she let go when she realised what shed done. Pure accident.

[The one 8,511]

It all should of been done by the folk that bred the kits in my eyes mate ,the times I've bred ferrets by the times the kits where ready to rehome they had long stopped biting in earnest . As said if the ferret latches on to push your finger into its mouth rather than pulling away till it gags and releases the grip , there's no need to slap or. ping there noses etcif theydo get a real good grip on you press your thumb down gently between there eyes and they will release there grip

[terryd 8,646]

get it licking a bit of cod liver oil or some thing while you handle it

[random 659]

being handled should be a pleasant experience for the ferret,if you start disciplining by hurting it I think it would set you back,you don't want it associating your hand with pain,I never wear gloves so they can see and smell my hands and get used to them,and move slowly and from in front of it so you don't spook it,when you have a comfortable hold offer the back of your hand it won't be able to bite there properly...

[slip lead 862]

The biggest problem is when people snatch at there ferret kits, because of fear of being nipped.

 

When young always let them smell the back of your hand and maybe a stroke or scratch before lifting them, once they know your sent problem solved, if they have been treated right.

 

There will come a time, on many occasions, that you will have your arm up to the arm pit, down a hole, and have to push past the ferret to retrieve the rabbit, without fear of getting nipped.