new to ferreting

[BULL 98]

been hunting for years guns mostly,been into the lurchers for a few years ,now hardly use the guns,but went out ferreting with the lurchers fast great sport

considering getting some ,know nothing about keeping them,when they breed what age to buy them and what time of year to get them,or age to start them the housing will not be a problem as i can build most things myself and the get all materials cheap,unless there is a ferret house web site .

so any advice ,websites or pm me with any usefull advice will be greatly apprecaited ,all the best BULL.

[phil_h 53]

been hunting for years guns mostly,been into the lurchers for a few years ,now hardly use the guns,but went out ferreting with the lurchers fast great sport

considering getting some ,know nothing about keeping them,when they breed what age to buy them and what time of year to get them,or age to start them the housing will not be a problem as i can build most things myself and the get all materials cheap,unless there is a ferret house web site .

so any advice ,websites or pm me with any usefull advice will be greatly apprecaited ,all the best BULL.

start them about 1 year old i do mate but let them get a taste of rabbit and tease them with it(unskinned) a few times first so they recognise the scent when you start to use them.

the time and hasstle it takes to make a hutch for them you may as well buy one off the adtrader or ebay or look for part damaged ones that you'll pick up for pennys at

pet shops or country store shops. make sure you get a well handled ferret to satrt so that it comes to you and doesnt shy back into the holes cos you'll get pee'd off, then it will take you no time at all to get it going on the rabbits, once you've been a few times

then the ferret knows whats going to happen as soon as its put in a bury.

[pritch 335]

the best book on everything ferret is by james Mc Kay [its another ive lent out & not got back] i think its just called ferrets but it is a cracker as for housing there is a thread on hear that is fantastic & will give you all the ideas you could need,equipment spade,locator & collers,carrying box, & nets be they purse or the quick set long nets or a combination of both that probably enough to think about for now if there is anything else you can think of dont hesitate to ask

yis Pritch

Edited March 8, 2008 by pritch

[BULL 98]

thanks lads ,when are the kits bred how old are they when you buy young ones, as i want to socalise them with the kids very young so the ferrets look smallish to them rather than a big hob that would put the fear of god into them,also is a bigger enclosure better ie more space play things etc i dont want loads of ferrets but some of the farms i have really want the rabbits cleared as much as poss befor the crops are up each year and by the end of decenber all rabbits are lamp shy as i hammer them every other day or lose the permission.

so a couple of ferrets in the team sounds good to me bit of day time netting and lurcher work ideal

[Ron Weasley 83]

Ok...the first thing I'd think about is whether you're going to get hobs or jills.

 

I personally keep both, and have worked both equally as successfully. Some people prefer jills, others hobs. I guess its just preference.

 

What you have to consider is that jills will come into season, and need to be mated with a vasectomised hob, or given a 'jill jab' by the vet to bring her out of season, otherwise she could very easily pick up some nasty infections. Of course, you can get round this, by getting them spayed

 

Personally, I think far too many ferrets are bred every year, and that spaying is the best option, but I'm sure there are other guys on here that will disagree.

 

Equally, two whole hobs kept together may fight, but have them neutered and this shouldn't be a problem!

 

The book that's been referred to already is called The Ferret and Ferreting Handbook by James McKay. It's not terrible- as a beginner, you'll probably pick up some good info from it, but as you gain some experience, you might begin to wonder quite what planet Mr McKay originates from!

 

You're in the best place for ferret answers on here my friend!

[pritch 335]

the book i advised iwas nt realy refering to the hunting chapter but general welfare info on the ferret it self, sorry should of stated that

[Guest bigredbusa]

bull , im gonna keep it simple.

 

1. convert a shed or get the biggest hutch you can

2. one jil one hob

3. locater and two collars / or bells (if you are skint) DONT HARNESS THEM

4. feed roadkill / rabbits / pigeons / fish ( you may want to feed dry food during summer due to smell)

5. nets ( lots of ) unless bolting for dogs

6. spade

7. handle as often as possable to stop problem biting

 

 

why buy a book when you have a forum to look at for advice ( thats like someone saying 'you want to get into dogs , buy a book by plummer) , ferrets arnt exactly the hardest animals to keep any probs health wise ask the board.

 

there will be plently of kits coming up soon , get some soonish and you will be set for the season

[lorelei0922 2]

thanks lads ,when are the kits bred how old are they when you buy young ones, as i want to socalise them with the kids very young so the ferrets look smallish to them rather than a big hob that would put the fear of god into them,also is a bigger enclosure better ie more space play things etc i dont want loads of ferrets but some of the farms i have really want the rabbits cleared as much as poss befor the crops are up each year and by the end of decenber all rabbits are lamp shy as i hammer them every other day or lose the permission.

so a couple of ferrets in the team sounds good to me bit of day time netting and lurcher work ideal

 

 

Kits are bred in the spring/summer you should be able to find them cheap or free in the next couple months. Kits are generally about 8weeks + before leaving the jill. Handle them Every single day as much as possible. Be prepared to teach them not to nip as its just a ferret thing, some never outgrow it but with patience and perseverance you will have a very well handled animal.

 

The other stuff i'll leave for the more experienced hunters in the group..

 

good luck with your ferrets

[BULL 98]

bull , im gonna keep it simple.

 

1. convert a shed or get the biggest hutch you can

2. one jil one hob

3. locater and two collars / or bells (if you are skint) DONT HARNESS THEM

4. feed roadkill / rabbits / pigeons / fish ( you may want to feed dry food during summer due to smell)

5. nets ( lots of ) unless bolting for dogs

6. spade

7. handle as often as possable to stop problem biting

 

 

why buy a book when you have a forum to look at for advice ( thats like someone saying 'you want to get into dogs , buy a book by plummer) , ferrets arnt exactly the hardest animals to keep any probs health wise ask the board.

 

there will be plently of kits coming up soon , get some soonish and you will be set for the season

thank you very much its a great help what you have just said is great i will buy all the relevent gear befor i get them as money isnt a problem

bigger shed is better then, i thought as much ,really looking forward to getting some,working in the day as i said my farms get lamp shy quick

[ferretville 69]

Daytime sport for you Bull as well as doing a job for the farmer`s. Ferret by day lamp at night should keep ya busy atb FV

[BULL 98]

thanks lads ,when are the kits bred how old are they when you buy young ones, as i want to socalise them with the kids very young so the ferrets look smallish to them rather than a big hob that would put the fear of god into them,also is a bigger enclosure better ie more space play things etc i dont want loads of ferrets but some of the farms i have really want the rabbits cleared as much as poss befor the crops are up each year and by the end of decenber all rabbits are lamp shy as i hammer them every other day or lose the permission.

so a couple of ferrets in the team sounds good to me bit of day time netting and lurcher work ideal

 

 

Kits are bred in the spring/summer you should be able to find them cheap or free in the next couple months. Kits are generally about 8weeks + before leaving the jill. Handle them Every single day as much as possible. Be prepared to teach them not to nip as its just a ferret thing, some never outgrow it but with patience and perseverance you will have a very well handled animal.

 

The other stuff i'll leave for the more experienced hunters in the group..

 

good luck with your ferrets

thanks for that i will start getting my yard in order v soon , i need the kits as young as poss as i have 4 kids and want them to handel them as small as poss any addresses for getting the gear i need will be appreciated cheers bull

[jultaylor1972 2]

Last year I got my ferrets and Ive never looked back! Best thing I ever did. be warned though - its very addictive. Great fun though.

[BULL 98]

Last year I got my ferrets and Ive never looked back! Best thing I ever did. be warned though - its very addictive. Great fun though.

yes i found that just by going a couple of times ,im really looking forward to it ,starting building new kennels and space for the ferrets shed and run

cant wait

[will98 0]

yes they are very addictive i went out ferreting with my friends many of times and i now am a pround owner of 3 albinho hobs which i got given for free today well happy

[olliedakennard 0]

Yes i have three ferrets all of them are lovely, and i go and see them everyday. Will's new ferrets are lovely there like little polar bears i went to collect them with him, adorable.