JordKil 0 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 I was out a few days in a row recently with one rabbit killed underground by my big jill (a 4 foot dig ) and was out today and got a bolt which the dog coursed really well unfortunately he didnt catch it and Im afraid he may of just mamed it but i'll get him out to find it in the morning with a ferret as its underground. Anyway. The problem im having with a few of my ferrets is that one of the hobs is a bit too beefy and actually refuses to go down some of the holes or he just turns around and wanders on the surface any advice on how to stop that ir how to drop the pounds? While my other hob along with the jills make a fool out of me by popping out of some holes and running around making it hard for me to catch them. My main concern being..dogs as there is a good few that walk where I ferret and they have no hesitation in going after the ferrets. Usually my dog will make quick work of a dog on the offence around where I am by barking and fighting it off aggressively (which I or the owner of the other dog have no problem with...strangely) how do i get them to trust me better? They are fine in the garden running around and dont run off there but the minute they are put to work they run a mock. Another weird one is that now 3 of my jills are in season (one has been mated so the swelling is reducing and one looks like shes shitting an egg while the other is just starting to swell. This is a pain as the mated on is an outstanding worker. Can she be worked after mating? or is it too risky just in case she's pregnant? (unsnipped hob by the way) (sorry bout long post lol) Cheers and Happy New year! Jordan Quote Link to post
will.f11 24 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 not really to do with post, but what dog you got? Quote Link to post
JordKil 0 Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 A border collie cross springer spaniel. He was a rescue he got at 6 months and is a great all rounder (very keen on rabbits and alike) he's no lurcher after a rabbit but he has his days when he can course like a hound. HIs pic is my avatar thingy. Quote Link to post
labsnlurchers 39 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Stand back from the holes and let the ferrets emerge and come away from the holes then dive on them! no im kidding calmly, gently but swiftly scoop the little beggers up. Quote Link to post
JordKil 0 Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Ah but you see thats what iv been doing and they're too smart!! they seem to know when im coming and the hob (mentioned above) is deadly quick and always has an escape route! IT DRIVES ME MAD!! Jordan Quote Link to post
labsnlurchers 39 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 get a rabbit and wiggle it round on the floor, when the ferret latches on grab it Quote Link to post
stubby 175 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 get yourself a ferreting patch that aint gonna have other dogs roaming around use a longnet to encircle the warren, that way theres no need to pick up ferts as they emerge from a hole, just keep an eye on them, let them work the warren, if they go to the net, then pick them up Quote Link to post
whippeter69 88 Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Try getting a large guttering pipe or one of those fishing rod holders which are about £12 and are about 7FT tall and abput 6" wide and keep putting him in them and when he comes out of the end(make sure the front legs are out) and pick him up, keep doing this about 10 times a day, he will soon come along nicely, mine did ok Quote Link to post
JordKil 0 Posted January 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) I've been working on him at an empty warren offering him tit bits and paste for when he comes out to my hand (as he doesnt have interest in a dead rabbit only a live one that he can chase underground and kill). Working nicely. Im trying to find the farmer to get permission on an old bank that is teeming with rabbits but I cant seem to find him and its a good bit away from dogs other than mine. Cheers Jordan Edited January 2, 2009 by JordKil Quote Link to post
Brimmer 220 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 To slim down your hob Jordan, only let him eat once a day outside the cage till he's full, then thats it for him untill he slims down a bit. (A pair of my hobs have had a little to much over xmas, and have started to fatten up.) They are not the same animals they were 1 week ago. The ones that don't come out (Peepers) are annoying. It's usually the young ones that do it to start with, be patient with them, most come good after there first season. Don't really know about the other stuff sorry. Quote Link to post
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