Ratting With Ferrets N Terriers

[ruggers13 268]

Me n a mate have perm for ratting we got there n we could see the holes n when we moved a few things we seen loads of crap fresh,n runs where they were going under the chicken coops we stuck ferrets under but nothing bolted so moved to the next place same again loads of holes n runs but nothing bolting any ideas ? Tia

Edited February 21, 2016 by ruggers13

[Treehands 1,417]

Have the ferrets been entered to rats ?

Is there a dog to mark the holes. ?

 

Just because the rat warren looks well used doesn't mean it's lived in.

 

Atb th

[ruggers13 268]

Tbh were new to rats the ferrets have bolted rats before n terrier has had a couple but never marked my mates terrier is only 6 month old hes starting her out how can i get the dogs to mark ? Can we train them ? Atb ruggers

[Treehands 1,417]

Walk the dogs around the sheds at night , they will soon start bumping into them.

Take an air rifle an use the terriers as back up.

Feed the odd rat to the ferret and persevere

 

Just remember ...patience .. It will not happen overnight.

 

Atb th.

[Fellman Mark 607]

I Start the dogs off ratting with a smoker first then once dogs know what there looking for start with the ferrets and make sure them terriers are very familiar with the ferrets good luck

[neil cooney 10,416]

After the ferrets being down some of the runs I'd say there'd have been a few rats above ground that evening.

Watch the six month old puppy too, sometimes six months can be too young, even for rats.

[ruggers13 268]

Cheers lads i know its gunna happen overnight n dogs are fine with ferrets weve got a smoker but got a few problems with it hopefully should be working next week will let you know how we get on

[cragman 2,788]

Ferreting rats is a job ONLY for the experienced ferret and be warned, your pug will pick up injuries, maybe fatal ones. Be prepared to treat them immediately or your ferret will fail quickly. I used to ferret rats years ago and it's a brutal and hard way of life for the ferret. I lost a couple through injuries and in the end I came away from using them for ratting. Jill's become hardened and are useless at rabbiting, as they become so adept and quick, they more than often killed below and to handle were not always agreeable. I started using hobs to shift rats and they were more suited to it where I worked them. Always think of your stinkers, they work hard for you so give them the best you can?

Edited February 21, 2016 by cragman

[neil cooney 10,416]

You're not joking Cragman. I once got a ferret that had been living wild on the Hill of Howth near Dublin for a while. She'd been seen several times before being caught and once caught, funny enough, was still easy to handle.

But it was obvious she'd seen plenty of rats. Just think of a heavily worked terrier.

And she was sharp, she was too sharp.

[ruggers13 268]

I was using my gill shes tame but with you saying that cragman im going to stop using her shes my best rabbiting ferret so dont want to spoil her hobs are pretty big tho will they get down the holes aswel ? Thanks for all your advice

[cragman 2,788]

Ruggers, the ferrets I used were bred for ratting and used now and then for rabbiting but they were far too quick and fired up for it. I don't suppose an easy day on the coneys will do them harm, in fact I'd say they would be OK. Hobs will fit anywhere and once a rat knows what's coming they'll be out of it quickly.