Ferrets

[J.T.]

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I've always liked ferrets but never kept any. We get quite a few in through work but the sanctuary that we normally use is closing down. I thought I may be persuaded to take a couple myself but I don't have a clue whats involved & don't want to rush into it so I have some questions for anyone who keeps ferrerts :thumbsup:

1. They won't be used for working so what do I need to do to keep them fit & amused?

2. What size cage/hutch/run do I need for 2 ferrets & what sort of set-up is best. We don't have any grass so it will be based on the patio.

3. What do they eat? I know James Wellbeloved do a complete food but surely they must need meat?

4. There is a young female who needs a home right now but would it be better to wait till 2 come in together. Do they need to be in twos? Would it be easy to introduce another one to an existing one later?

5. I know the female will need to be spayed but would it be better to have 2 same sex or one of each? Will 2 males get on & would they need castrating?

6. Will they be o.k. all winter outside, what sort of insulation/bedding is best?

I think that's about all :blink:

I've probably asked some really daft obvious questions there but don't want to get one before I know what I'm doing

Thanks for any help you can give.

Julie :cheers:

 

[Pennymeadow Whippets]

I've always liked ferrets but never kept any. We get quite a few in through work but the sanctuary that we normally use is closing down. I thought I may be persuaded to take a couple myself but I don't have a clue whats involved & don't want to rush into it so I have some questions for anyone who keeps ferrerts :thumbsup:
1. They won't be used for working so what do I need to do to keep them fit & amused?

2. What size cage/hutch/run do I need for 2 ferrets & what sort of set-up is best. We don't have any grass so it will be based on the patio.

3. What do they eat? I know James Wellbeloved do a complete food but surely they must need meat?

4. There is a young female who needs a home right now but would it be better to wait till 2 come in together. Do they need to be in twos? Would it be easy to introduce another one to an existing one later?

5. I know the female will need to be spayed but would it be better to have 2 same sex or one of each? Will 2 males get on & would they need castrating?

6. Will they be o.k. all winter outside, what sort of insulation/bedding is best?

I think that's about all :blink:

I've probably asked some really daft obvious questions there but don't want to get one before I know what I'm doing

Thanks for any help you can give.

Julie :cheers:

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Hi Julie for 2 ferrets a 3-4ft cage will be ok you can add plastic pipes balls wheels for toys the main diet is meat but you can get dry ferret food or cat biscutes you can have ferrets one at a time but they like company & that can be added to as you go along if kept for pets they are better spayed this also reduces the smell ferrets have as for bedding straw or shredded paper are fine with wood shavings on the cage floor handle on a regular basis feed & water daily there are many good ferret books on the market hope this helps

 

[firesprite]

hi, try wessex ferret club website, very good and great people!!

we have 5, started as one......

we feed complete (james wellbeloved produces stinky eggy poo smells so feed chudleys)and raw mear, today they got skyrat (pigeon) but enjoy rabbit and other raw leftovers of the meaty kind. mince is good too. Dog food isnt hight enough in protein and gets sneered at. They love raw eggs.

Ferretone is ferret heroin so very useful for training -ours are clicker trained, everyone laughs until we poin out that as ours come when clicked they can be retrieved easily from the garden or whichever manner of pipe or hole they are exploring in the house.

They get through lots of fresh water, ours love a shallow cat litter tray to swim and play in, especially the bit where it gets filled up from the watering can. We have two rabbit hutches joined by pipes then an enclosure also joined by pipes for outside play; they come indoors at night and times when we are not around cos im sure you are aware they seem highly knickable!

Microchipping and aleution disease testing is fairly routine see wessex ferret for details.

I would suggest an adult as a first fert as kits are a bit nippy and need thoughtful handling. Im a bit soft and have never found the need to flick or twat a fert for biting (even when they are gong through the nail into a finger or thumb) just teach them that gentle careful calm handling brings ferretone rewards or nice walks out!

Two is good, three better. They like to play lots and chances are you wont have all the time they need. Also they teach each other about biting manners and it saves yer fingers! Our hobbs and jills are fixed, or at least the adults are, the two kits are on the christmas fix list! Well actually she will get jil jabbed in spring, he will get fixed once his balls drop in the spring. A good fert vet is worth their weight in gold, check with your local club, who will prob supply a lot of fert info and services. Ours do microchipping for a couple of quid.

Your local animal shelter will probably welcome a visit as they are usually overrun, but remember at this time of year ferts are in demmand for pest control.

They are affectionate, fab little critters, very entertaining and because of their size portable to they can go on holiday too <grin>

ferrets for dummies is a good fun read, wouldnt suggest buying it, get it from the library.

hope this hel;ps

 

[firesprite]

pps, cat food too low in protein also.

bedding... not shredded paper as the ink is toxic, straw or hay is ok ish but im relly careful as it can harbour mites and so on. Also if ferts are outside it gets damp really quickly. To be honest i use dust extracted horse bedding wood shavings, its a little coarser than per shop smallie bedding but its a fraction if the price about 5 quid for a big bale, then i can change the shavings almost daily. They get wet from the daily bath mine have, and damp when it rains, and of course peed in, so a poop scoop is very handy. Mine use a corner litter pan but accidents happen and sawdust soaks it up well. I have also gloss painted the hutch floor and walls inside as this helps waterproof from fert pee. I gave up paying a fortune for critter litter and also use shavings in the litter pans. After all its only getting pooped on and thrown out! Ferts love old pairs of leggings, t shirts, etc to burrow and sleep in. Nothing with loops to catch therir tiny claws (which need cutting bout every 2 weeks, ferretone on the tummy and even the nippiest of ferts is a babe in arms whilst you do the job). They secrete a waxy substance so every so often either throw out the t shirts etc and go to your charty shop or chuck it all in a hot wash. we do washing about once every 3 weeks. Rat stuff like hammocks and sacks are great bedding too, but then so are old handbags shoes etc etc. They adore cardboard boxes to curl up in, and a few holes to crawl through adds to the fun. Makes a good cheepo nest box too, and disposable/replaceable.

anyway, any other questions then pm me!! ebay is a good place to look for fert gear too, from diamante collars (yoikes) to toys and treats.

 

[huskymam]

I have 3 ferrets. One hob and 2 jills. They are kept outside in a 3 storey hutch with ramps and pipes to keep them amused. They stay out in all weather, but we have a 'storm flap' that we use for really bad weather. They have a few nesting reas which i fill with hay etc and they all snuggle up together. Raw meat is best for them, but ours love James wellbeloved ferret complete also. Dry food is best in summer to prevent flies.

They have very good manners and only toilet in the corners.

they are best kept in a group. Jills need to be mated when in season, or be mated with a vasectoised hob. Otherwise it is common to get infections and die. sorry to be so harsh!

my hob i got when he was a year old, and he can be a bit nippy. My 2 jills i got as babies and they are fab! As long as handled well from an early age they make brilliant pets. They are so entertaining to watch. the smell is not as bad as i thought it would be, in fact im used to it now.

We will be having babies in the summer, not sure where you are but we are in South wales, you'd be welcome to some

Kara xx

 

[huskymam]

i actually disagree that an adult would be better. As a kit they are nippy, but their teeth are smaller and its not aggresive. They are just exploring! they need to be taught manners thats all. they need to be handled regularly but if you want them as pets abviously they'll be handled well. You learn their personalities also!

I have never had a nip of my girls! they are not a year old yet.

I forgot to mention in my post that they can be neutered etc also if you dont want kits.

 

[J.T.]

Thank you to everyone who has given me some info... much appreciated.

The little female has gone over to Liverpool to a sanctuary so I won't be having her so I'll have to wait now for another one/two to come in.

I've been to the library & got a few books out & think I could cope with a couple. The only thing that sort of puts me off is the nail clipping, I have a job doing the dogs nails, will I cope with small wriggly ferrety feet? I do know someone who has ferrets & he's never clipped their nails but he does work them so maybe that wears them down naturally?

Other than that, I've got the whole set up planned, tunnels & hammocks, the lot & am really looking forward to having them.

Thanks,

When my new little critters arrive I'll post some pics

 

[huskymam]

My boyfriend holds ours and i clip the nails. Is really easy, and if they are handled well they shouldnt mind you doing it.

We have a few big rocks in their house, so they tend to wear their nails down climbing over them.

 

[Janimal]

Thank you to everyone who has given me some info... much appreciated.The little female has gone over to Liverpool to a sanctuary so I won't be having her   so I'll have to wait now for another one/two to come in.

I've been to the library & got a few books out & think I could cope with a couple. The only thing that sort of puts me off is the nail clipping, I have a job doing the dogs nails, will I cope with small wriggly ferrety feet?  I do know someone who has ferrets & he's never clipped their nails but he does work them so maybe that wears them down naturally?

Other than that, I've got the whole set up planned, tunnels & hammocks, the lot & am really looking forward to having them.

Thanks,

When my new little critters arrive I'll post some pics

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Good luck with the new arrivals JT, I love ferrets. My brother used to keep them when I lived with my parents.

Dont forget to post some pictures. :thumbsup:

 

[J.T.]

Well it's taking a while but the ferrets are on the way. In fact they have turned into my Christmas present from Neil And he doesn't even want them :- "

I've bought a second hand hutch, in very good condition from a lady I know who does rabbit rescue, I gave a donation to her charity & I got a very good 2 storey hutch. We went to B&Q tonight & bought some wood & Neil is going to build a big outdoor run for them which will be joined onto the hutch by a tunnel.

Hopefully this will be finished (weather permitting) by Thursday as I hope to go & collect my 3 (w00t) then. (it was only supposed to be 2 but they come as a trio)

They are 2 jills & a hob who have always been together, they've come from a good home but the people cannot continue to care for them any longer so they are being rehomed..... To Me :thumbsup:

Photos will follow.

 

[Nicola]

Sounds like fun getting them set up. Good luck. :luck: Looking forward to the piccies. :thumbsup:

 

[Janimal]

Well it's taking a while but the ferrets are on the way. In fact they have turned into my Christmas present from Neil   And he doesn't even want them  :- " I've bought a second hand hutch, in very good condition from a lady I know who does rabbit rescue, I gave a donation to her charity & I got a very good 2 storey hutch. We went to B&Q tonight & bought some wood & Neil is going to build a big outdoor run for them which will be joined onto the hutch by a tunnel.

Hopefully this will be finished (weather permitting) by Thursday as I hope to go & collect my 3 (w00t) then. (it was only supposed to be 2 but they come as a trio)

They are 2 jills & a hob who have always been together, they've come from a good home but the people cannot continue to care for them any longer so they are being rehomed..... To Me :thumbsup:

Photos will follow.

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ooo great news, look forward to your pictures. :thumbsup:

 

[Vicky]

Look forward to seeing them

 

[Miss Madam]

oh good luck jt, u wont regret it :thumbsup: i started of with one ferret jill about 10 years ago and now i have 5!! (w00t) lol, i have 3 jills and 2 hobs i just love them they have such characters :thumbsup: cant wait to see pix :thumbsup: just watch ur dogs with them at the start untill they get used to each other as ferrets can give ur dog an awful bite

Rose

 

[xxxamyxxx]

yay! need pictures as soon as possible! I want a ferret(s) but ive gotta wait a while!A very long while! untill ive left school, been colleage, been uni, got a job and got a house to that will take forever! But untill then ill make do with pictures and stories of yours!