Leeping A Litter

[ferret lady 73]

For those who cull kits, how do you know that you aren't culling the best worker(s) in the litter? While it may be true that all ferrets will work, at least to some degree, some are obviously much better than others.

[Mochastorm 68]

If you cull in the nest you'll never know if they would make 'the best workers' and you make do with what you have kept back. The argument that you may cull the best worker assumes that great workers are born ready made. It is more about how they develop, are entered to hunting and the amount of work they have that creates a good worker. Can I make it clear that I don't, nor have I ever culled kits for other than health reasons. I have over many years only bred a few litters. I do however agree that culling is effective at reducing numbers.

[gnipper 6,522]

Have none of you that have bred never ended up stuck with a load of hobs eating you out of house and home?

Look how many people are dumping the ferrets now the seasons over and all the people who are looking to line all their jills just for the sake of it. That's why it's better not to breed or just keep what you need/have homes for.

[matt1979 766]

Went to a ferrets rescue few weeks back, they must of had close to 50 ferrets looking for homes, sad state of affairs. Hard to do u guess but there is no doubt many ferrets that aren't culled end of leading a poor life and far too many are breed jmo

[The one 8,497]

There's a simple solution don't breed ur ferrets I blame it mostly on youngsters taking the easy option and no having a snipped hob or getting there Jill's jabbed. But there's more than young folk at this practice and if the first question asked are my ferrets good enough workers to be breed from , then do I really ned to breed from them ? If we had our own house in order there wouldn't be a problem or any kits needing culled

[pie-eater 377]

I must admit I can see the sense in breeding a litter and culling the kits you don't want. Its going to be easier on the jill having only a couple of kits to care for and you wont have to worry about where your kits end up. Buying ferrets in is ok but a lot of people will just breed from any ferret they have regardless of its working ability.

[The one 8,497]

Aye I've maybe been lucky but it's always hobs your left with so maybe if they where culled in the nest it would ease the problem ?