s horsfield 7 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 hi lads just after abit of advice.This was my first season ferreting. I've just been given hob about 18 months old its never been worked nor handled much.I've been handling him every chance i get, BUT he must like the taste of me ,he'll let you pick him up with cloves on but as soon as you take them off he wants to have ago.Any advice on gaining his confidance, or is it just amatter of a lost cause. thanks Quote Link to post
ade33uk 86 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 How long you had him mate , hes most probably still scared of you .give him a chance he will come around . always handle him after hes been fed , if you can bear it loose the gloves handle him with confidence ,if you pick a ferret up properly around the neck and front legs he cant really bite you anyway Quote Link to post
Brimmer 220 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Might be a lost cause, but give him time and handle him so he cannot get you to start with. Time is a great healer, on both sides! Quote Link to post
John-B 4 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Do away with the gloves mate, Col got 2 ferrets last week that had never been handled, I had them like putty in my hands within 15 minutes, keep lifting them in and out of the cage, also my old trick is to force my finger into it's mouth and keep it there for a few seconds while wiggling it around, sounds daft but it work, ask Col! Just got to be brave and don't show them you are scared, don't make any sudden movements and let them see your hand going to pick them up, once you have them in your hands slowly stroke them from the head down to the tail and hold them against your body to relaxe them. Quote Link to post
ace32 4 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 hiya bud,get a bottle of ferretone,or similar,put some in a bottle cap,let him at it,take of the glove,pick him up when he s having it,and hold the cap for him to get at,try a bit on the back of your hand as you first go in to pick him up,just let him get to know your smell,and you,and he will calm down,sounds like some one been rough with him,he seems frightened of hands,so has to learn otherwise,just be patient and gentle with him,he will come on fine,unless of course you just happen to taste like prime free range rabbit,oki doki,ian Quote Link to post
John-B 4 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) Brimmer said: Might be a lost cause, but give him time and handle him so he cannot get you to start with.Time is a great healer, on both sides! No such thing as a lost cause, all ferrets should be ok in the correct hands Edited February 10, 2009 by John-B Quote Link to post
Brimmer 220 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 John-B said: Brimmer said: Might be a lost cause, but give him time and handle him so he cannot get you to start with.Time is a great healer, on both sides! No such thing as a lost cause, all ferrets should be om in the correct hands Ok then John, lost finger not cause! One or two might stretch that comment mate. One or two can be beyond help like dogs, but most will be ok with the right fellers looking after them. Quote Link to post
deanflute 550 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 put some malt paste on your hand and they will lick it off and associate your hands as good things......i hope!! its about 4 quid from pet shops Quote Link to post
John-B 4 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 HAHA Well I for one have never had a ferret properly bite me, had loads and loads of nips from kits and younguns. would a ferret bite a finger off??? Pretty sure of a ferret was locked onto my finger and chomping through bone I would do something about it no matter how much I like the ferret Quote Link to post
Brimmer 220 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Whats this ferretone stuff about anyhow? Does it make yer finger taste better for them or something? Is it like 'Crack for ferrets?' Quote Link to post
John-B 4 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Brimmer said: Whats this ferretone stuff about anyhow? Does it make yer finger taste better for them or something? Is it like 'Crack for ferrets?' It's supposed to drive ferrets wild, like catnip is to cat's, never heard of the stuff until i joined this forum and have no intention of ever using it. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ferretone-Ferret-Foo...Q2em118Q2el1247 Quote Link to post
s horsfield 7 Posted February 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 cheers lads for all the good advice. The gloves have gone in the bin already.Once i'm holding him he's ok but if i put my hand in he comes up gives my hand a little stiff then wham! I'll keep at it co's like you lads have said got to give the feller a good chance. I'll let you all know how i get on .and put you some photos on of my battle scarse.Ho only had him 1 week by the way Quote Link to post
Brimmer 220 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Might try it if it means the fingers get less abuse of the kits when handling, but I bet the handling and taking the teeth is the key, but maybee it's worthwhile. Quote Link to post
Brimmer 220 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 s horsfield said: cheers lads for all the good advice. The gloves have gone in the bin already.Once i'm holding him he's ok but if i put my hand in he comes up gives my hand a little stiff then wham! I'll keep at it co's like you lads have said got to give the feller a good chance. I'll let you all know how i get on .and put you some photos on of my battle scarse.Ho only had him 1 week by the way Only give him the back of your clenched fist to grab. It offers up a target, but one that does not hurt like the fingertips! You can almost watch it and take it when this happens, and they soon let go! Quote Link to post
SwissTony 0 Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Olive oil will work as a substitute for Ferretone. You can put either onto their belly as well to help with cutting their claws. Lay them on their back while they lick away. Quote Link to post
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