First Bite

[shepp 2,285]

I have been keeping ferrets on and off most of my life and today i was bitten for the first time.

The jill in question is about a year old, has been out a couple of times and she does fanny about a bit but pushes rabbits our, her litter sister is much better though. Well today she kept getting her neck and collar caught in the net and when this happens she really looses it, biting at anything nearby ie my hand.

When she was a kit she got wedged in a gap next to a ladder in her court and when i found her she was close to the end. I wondered if it has given her a fear of being caught up. She has always been a bit nippy but i put that down to age.

Well when she bit me she meant it, right to the bone and through my finger nail.

 

What would you guys do?

 

For me the options are -

 

Give her a summer and try her next season

or

Give her an outing with mr 12 bore

[stealthy1 3,964]

I have a jill thats just the same, when she comes up she's still in rabbit crunching mode, if I forget she's there while I'm stretching a rabbit she hangs off my hand, she's just keen, so I can live with her idiosyncrasies, save the cartridges and work her harder.

[Ginette 0]

I'd give her a season. I think I'd be a bit neurotic if I just about died that way!

One of mine bites when she's excited, I know this and don't let her near my hands when she's hyper. But I wouldn't kill her for it, she could calm with age.

[Kay 3,709]

I have been keeping ferrets on and off most of my life and today i was bitten for the first time.

The jill in question is about a year old, has been out a couple of times and she does fanny about a bit but pushes rabbits our, her litter sister is much better though. Well today she kept getting her neck and collar caught in the net and when this happens she really looses it, biting at anything nearby ie my hand.

When she was a kit she got wedged in a gap next to a ladder in her court and when i found her she was close to the end. I wondered if it has given her a fear of being caught up. She has always been a bit nippy but i put that down to age.

Well when she bit me she meant it, right to the bone and through my finger nail.

 

What would you guys do?

 

For me the options are -

 

Give her a summer and try her next season

or

Give her an outing with mr 12 bore

 

i HAD A FERRET WHO WAS NOT HAPPY IN THE OPEN, HE WAS FINE IN HIS OWN SURROUNDING , BUT ONCE YOU TOOK HIM FROM HIS HOME HE BACAME A DEMON, SCENT GLANDS WOULD GO THE LOT, A KIND OF AGROPHOBIA IF YOU LIKE

[shepp 2,285]

She's alright untill her head and collar get caught in the net, then there's hell to pay.

Her sister is as daft as a box of bollocks.

[Kay 3,709]

She's alright untill her head and collar get caught in the net, then there's hell to pay.

Her sister is as daft as a box of bollocks.

 

Possibly as you sugest then , scared of getting caught up

[Guest tewkesferreter]

could you not just use her for bolting to guns?

[stealthy1 3,964]

Keep working her, she'll get used to the nets, my latest jill was like that, now she knows how to creep through a purse net or go around it, chances are that if you stick with her, she just might turn out to be the best worker you ever owned.

[Fat-Ferret 857]

Use long nets

[shepp 2,285]

Keep working her, she'll get used to the nets, my latest jill was like that, now she knows how to creep through a purse net or go around it, chances are that if you stick with her, she just might turn out to be the best worker you ever owned.

 

I could had topped her earlier but going by your replys i think she will have the summer to settle down a bit, i guess everything deserves a second chance.

[Brimmer 220]

Give it a chance, I get nailed usually once in every few outings when they are wired up.

(probably my own fault for shoving my arms up the tube alongside them though!)

[John-B 4]

My Jill bit me for the first time the other day, she wass down a hole getting stuck into a rabbit when i stuck my hand in, it still hurts now but I've forgiven her

 

just give her a chance and she will get used to the nets.

Edited February 9, 2009 by John-B

[para1 11]

Just think what the ferret is thinking mate.Their is this creature that has got it round the neck and the harder it struggles to get loose the tighter it gets.A ferrets only defense is to bite.It will soon learn to go threw the net,Patience and understanding.

[ace32 4]

hiya shep,its my first season with the ferts,got two of this years gills,and both were totally hyper when i started,my original one would go for anything near the hole and i had a right job getting her out,thats where the ferretone comes in handy,she does still panic a bit if caught in the net,and try,s to bite,but thats just a natural reaction,once i have hold of her she settles no probs,and she is now coming out without too much bother,now,her sister was my mates,a long time ferreter,and he gave up on her,when you could get her out the hole she would jump all over the place,try and nip,hyper,but now with a bit of handling and bribery,ferretone,she has settled down into a cracking little worker,so,guess its just give em some time,and patience,as my two nightmares,are coming on spot on,dont forget they are only this years kits,so still babies realy,are hyper most of the time,but funny as hell watching them,so stick with it bud,well thats my two penneth,ian

[shepp 2,285]

Thanks for your considered replys people.

Much appreciated