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nutter
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nutter
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these are all young ferrets i bought during the summer and must all be over the six month mark by now. the white ferret and the black eyed white and from mother and grandmother and the polecat cross is from a different breeder. they have not been out as much as i hoped with the mild autumn and work commitments of myself and my hunting partner. the regular whote seems to be taking to it the best and is very effiecent and quick in her searching and has held well for a few short digs. the polecat seems to be working next best and is also sharp although she has missed a few second rabbits in deep parts of the bigger systems though i suspect this will improve with experience the black eyed white is also keen and quick but also need sto become a bit more thorough. they all handle well and are learning to negotiate the purse nets without too much trouble. a few more outings should see them well started and i should have a good team for the new ground i have got in september.
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Very nice ferrets :wub: :wub: good luck with them :luck: :luck:
I have a question please.....
Gary my OH is interested in haveing a ferrit he had them as a boy so...
do you have to work them ....
do they make good pets...
and can you keep them indoors....were we live its very windy and am afrade that they would not be comfertuble. (sorry about the spelling)
Gary my OH is interested in haveing a ferrit he had them as a boy so...
do you have to work them ....
do they make good pets...
and can you keep them indoors....were we live its very windy and am afrade that they would not be comfertuble. (sorry about the spelling)
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Apologises if i am jumping in 
Ferrets make excellent pets but do take up time ... they dont need to be worked but it is natural for them to work ...as in they work by instinct. Mine are pets but if i had contact with people who could past on their expertise I would be interested in doing so.
Mine live outside in a converted shed with an outside run and cope fine with the weather here in Scotland. My jill was originally a house ferret but she seems healthier and happier outside. I know many people that do keep them inside though ... its just something i chose not to do. They pile on weight and get a lovely thick fur in the winter and have a wooden box with fleece inside if it gets really cold. They also have hammocks and seem to sleep mainly in those ... in one big pile! They need a high quality ferret food which contains a high meat protein content. Mine also get raw meat as well. They are playful funny creatures that are into everything and love to war dance and giggle and interact with each other and with humans ... its like having a puppy x kitten for the whole of their life. Mine come in for playtimes ... or highly organised terrorise and destroy missions as i think they see them.
They are highly sociable animals that shouldnt be kept alone (though some ferrets are solitary through their own choice). Male hobs have a distinctive odour (they do pong a bit when mature lol) but this is solved by neutering ... it also means they can live harmoniously with other males. Females should also be neutered as they dont come out of season unless mated or give a hormone injection and can die if left. There are so many kits born each year the rescue centres and free ads papers are over run so theres another reason to neuter.
Kits can be hard work for new owners as they need handled often to make sociable well mannered adults so the best advice is to get adult ferrets. Rescue ferrets are usually well socialised and can be matched to the owners so they dont get put off.
Ferrets make excellent pets but do take up time ... they dont need to be worked but it is natural for them to work ...as in they work by instinct. Mine are pets but if i had contact with people who could past on their expertise I would be interested in doing so.
Mine live outside in a converted shed with an outside run and cope fine with the weather here in Scotland. My jill was originally a house ferret but she seems healthier and happier outside. I know many people that do keep them inside though ... its just something i chose not to do. They pile on weight and get a lovely thick fur in the winter and have a wooden box with fleece inside if it gets really cold. They also have hammocks and seem to sleep mainly in those ... in one big pile! They need a high quality ferret food which contains a high meat protein content. Mine also get raw meat as well. They are playful funny creatures that are into everything and love to war dance and giggle and interact with each other and with humans ... its like having a puppy x kitten for the whole of their life. Mine come in for playtimes ... or highly organised terrorise and destroy missions as i think they see them.
They are highly sociable animals that shouldnt be kept alone (though some ferrets are solitary through their own choice). Male hobs have a distinctive odour (they do pong a bit when mature lol) but this is solved by neutering ... it also means they can live harmoniously with other males. Females should also be neutered as they dont come out of season unless mated or give a hormone injection and can die if left. There are so many kits born each year the rescue centres and free ads papers are over run so theres another reason to neuter.
Kits can be hard work for new owners as they need handled often to make sociable well mannered adults so the best advice is to get adult ferrets. Rescue ferrets are usually well socialised and can be matched to the owners so they dont get put off.
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Aw, they're all lovely :wub:
kilmousk said:Apologises if i am jumping in
Ferrets make excellent pets but do take up time ... they dont need to be worked but it is natural for them to work ...as in they work by instinct. Mine are pets but if i had contact with people who could past on their expertise I would be interested in doing so.
Mine live outside in a converted shed with an outside run and cope fine with the weather here in Scotland. My jill was originally a house ferret but she seems healthier and happier outside. I know many people that do keep them inside though ... its just something i chose not to do. They pile on weight and get a lovely thick fur in the winter and have a wooden box with fleece inside if it gets really cold. They also have hammocks and seem to sleep mainly in those ... in one big pile! They need a high quality ferret food which contains a high meat protein content. Mine also get raw meat as well. They are playful funny creatures that are into everything and love to war dance and giggle and interact with each other and with humans ... its like having a puppy x kitten for the whole of their life. Mine come in for playtimes ... or highly organised terrorise and destroy missions as i think they see them.
They are highly sociable animals that shouldnt be kept alone (though some ferrets are solitary through their own choice). Male hobs have a distinctive odour (they do pong a bit when mature lol) but this is solved by neutering ... it also means they can live harmoniously with other males. Females should also be neutered as they dont come out of season unless mated or give a hormone injection and can die if left. There are so many kits born each year the rescue centres and free ads papers are over run so theres another reason to neuter.
Kits can be hard work for new owners as they need handled often to make sociable well mannered adults so the best advice is to get adult ferrets. Rescue ferrets are usually well socialised and can be matched to the owners so they dont get put off.
aww ther lovely anymore addvice would be great.
another question
we have just got a caravan so do you think they couldcome with us when were away and how would you do it?
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Your first picture is class :lol: :wub:
I think ferrets are such characters.. :lol: :thumbsup:
I think ferrets are such characters.. :lol: :thumbsup:
pepa
to answer your question, they make great pets. ask anyone who knows mine on here ! he like one of the dogs, plays with them too.
at xmas he had escaped from his cage and when i opened the doors to let the dogs into lie down for a while..the whole squad came flying in ! 3 dogs and bandit !
i swear they were all doin YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY as they whizzed past.
mine is also a clever little hunter too :thumbsup: do you let yours out with your dogs adam ? or am i lucky mine are all buddies ?
i posted this a while ago
http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o171/st...nt=S8300085.flv
to answer your question, they make great pets. ask anyone who knows mine on here ! he like one of the dogs, plays with them too.
at xmas he had escaped from his cage and when i opened the doors to let the dogs into lie down for a while..the whole squad came flying in ! 3 dogs and bandit !
i swear they were all doin YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY as they whizzed past.
mine is also a clever little hunter too :thumbsup: do you let yours out with your dogs adam ? or am i lucky mine are all buddies ?
i posted this a while ago
http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o171/st...nt=S8300085.flv
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Ferrets love holidays lol .... ferrets like anything that could get them into mischief so i'm sure they would love a caravan!
What would i do? Pack them a bag of food and toys and get a cage or small hutch, pack the beer and the food, hook up the car and set off ...as simple as that. Ferrets can walk you on leads and harnesses so would love to go out and about and they love the beach! You can get folding runs easily so i think i would get one and a sheet of wood (they dig you see) and set them up outside ...beware though you will have people standing at a distance asking if they bite and if they smell and then you will have a crowd of people up close fascinated and happy ferrets getting cuddles.
On the side of caution i would get them used to call signal ... squeeky toys are used alot so if they disappear in the caravan they can be found! Its not fool proof though.
No such thing as ferret proof!
http://www.motionbox.com/video/player/a790deb0191822#1
I can talk all day about these little critters ...so ask away!
What would i do? Pack them a bag of food and toys and get a cage or small hutch, pack the beer and the food, hook up the car and set off ...as simple as that. Ferrets can walk you on leads and harnesses so would love to go out and about and they love the beach! You can get folding runs easily so i think i would get one and a sheet of wood (they dig you see) and set them up outside ...beware though you will have people standing at a distance asking if they bite and if they smell and then you will have a crowd of people up close fascinated and happy ferrets getting cuddles.
On the side of caution i would get them used to call signal ... squeeky toys are used alot so if they disappear in the caravan they can be found! Its not fool proof though.
No such thing as ferret proof!
http://www.motionbox.com/video/player/a790deb0191822#1
I can talk all day about these little critters ...so ask away!
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Lovely-thanks for sharing the pics/ideas :thumbsup:
We have 3 ferrets-incredibly clean boys-never had any trouble with them and their not neutered.
We too feed them a good quality food and the occasional raw egg-
I would love to have more time to spend with them because they deserve it-they are very intelligent little animals-but its not possible with work and other commitments unfortunately.
Got 2 of them after much pestering from my teenage son-and we ended up with another young beauty that someone had found in their garden.
We've had the first 2 for about 4 years now-
They've never been 'worked' as they call it-and they've never bitten anyone which is good-they don't get handled/played with as much as I'd like-
Have thought about re-homing them a few times-cos teenagers being teenagers they lose interest in things and the workload falls on others-
But if you say shelters are full-I'd rather hang on to them.....
Wouldn't want them to fall into the wrong hands either and be abused....
Karen
We have 3 ferrets-incredibly clean boys-never had any trouble with them and their not neutered.
We too feed them a good quality food and the occasional raw egg-
I would love to have more time to spend with them because they deserve it-they are very intelligent little animals-but its not possible with work and other commitments unfortunately.
Got 2 of them after much pestering from my teenage son-and we ended up with another young beauty that someone had found in their garden.
We've had the first 2 for about 4 years now-
They've never been 'worked' as they call it-and they've never bitten anyone which is good-they don't get handled/played with as much as I'd like-
Have thought about re-homing them a few times-cos teenagers being teenagers they lose interest in things and the workload falls on others-
But if you say shelters are full-I'd rather hang on to them.....
Wouldn't want them to fall into the wrong hands either and be abused....
Karen
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those pictures just say it all ! mischievious little brats. !kilmousk said:Ferrets love holidays lol .... ferrets like anything that could get them into mischief so i'm sure they would love a caravan! What would i do? Pack them a bag of food and toys and get a cage or small hutch, pack the beer and the food, hook up the car and set off ...as simple as that. Ferrets can walk you on leads and harnesses so would love to go out and about and they love the beach! You can get folding runs easily so i think i would get one and a sheet of wood (they dig you see) and set them up outside ...beware though you will have people standing at a distance asking if they bite and if they smell and then you will have a crowd of people up close fascinated and happy ferrets getting cuddles.
On the side of caution i would get them used to call signal ... squeeky toys are used alot so if they disappear in the caravan they can be found! Its not fool proof though.
No such thing as ferret proof!
http://www.motionbox.com/video/player/a790deb0191822#1
I can talk all day about these little critters ...so ask away!
excellant clips too :thumbsup:
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Questions, questions, questions ... ask away as thats the only way to learn!
"would they be ok with cats?"
Can your cats jump up high? lol .... Ferrets are predators and as such dont have much fear and they see cats playmates. Ferrets see everything as a toy or adventure. My cat keeps out of the ferrets way! I worry about scratches from the cat and the cat worries about bites from the ferrets. I have locked the cat in a room with one before without realising and they were fine. I wouldnt suggest they will play together but it has been known (or so i've been told).
"Do they bite, ALOT?"
I got bitten by one of my boys when he was being crushed in the jaws of a staffy. uuuuummmmm ..... yep thats the only time i have been bitten by a ferret so i guess the answer is no. Kits bite, unhandled ferrets bite, scared ferrets bite but handled, well socialised ferrets rarely bite. Kits arent recommended for new owners.
"Do they poop on your hands like hamsters?"
They dont stay still enough to stop and poop on your hands lol. They can be litter trained ... mine use one corner of the living room when they are inside so its easier just to put some paper down. They poop as soon as they wake up so i guess they might get you then.
"How long do they live for?"
They live on average 7 years but my jill is over 8 and hasnt slowed down a bit. I would say to plan for a 10 yr life span.
A brilliant way to find out about ferrets is to see if theres a good ferret rescue near you ... they always have lots of willing ferrets that would love to play with you.
"would they be ok with cats?"
Can your cats jump up high? lol .... Ferrets are predators and as such dont have much fear and they see cats playmates. Ferrets see everything as a toy or adventure. My cat keeps out of the ferrets way! I worry about scratches from the cat and the cat worries about bites from the ferrets. I have locked the cat in a room with one before without realising and they were fine. I wouldnt suggest they will play together but it has been known (or so i've been told).
"Do they bite, ALOT?"
I got bitten by one of my boys when he was being crushed in the jaws of a staffy. uuuuummmmm ..... yep thats the only time i have been bitten by a ferret so i guess the answer is no. Kits bite, unhandled ferrets bite, scared ferrets bite but handled, well socialised ferrets rarely bite. Kits arent recommended for new owners.
"Do they poop on your hands like hamsters?"
They dont stay still enough to stop and poop on your hands lol. They can be litter trained ... mine use one corner of the living room when they are inside so its easier just to put some paper down. They poop as soon as they wake up so i guess they might get you then.
"How long do they live for?"
They live on average 7 years but my jill is over 8 and hasnt slowed down a bit. I would say to plan for a 10 yr life span.
A brilliant way to find out about ferrets is to see if theres a good ferret rescue near you ... they always have lots of willing ferrets that would love to play with you.
:huggles: Thankyou for that
I find ferrets highly fascinating. Its not an animal that gets talked about alot. And some people around where wer are wouldnt even know what a ferret was. They really are a great animal i would love to have two (PLEASE MUM!)
Thanks again!!
jade
I find ferrets highly fascinating. Its not an animal that gets talked about alot. And some people around where wer are wouldnt even know what a ferret was. They really are a great animal i would love to have two (PLEASE MUM!)
Thanks again!!
jade
N
nutter
Guest
I got my first own ferret in 2000. but I had been ferreting with friends for a number of years prior to this and held my first ferret just aged four.
I hunt mine but I do think they could be kept as pets although I would rather see them worked because if ferrets are reared kept and bred just for pet or show homes then quality working instincts could be lost for ever and I feel they are enough threats to the traditional hunting methods as it is.
My bull cross lurcher Bouncer can not be trusted with ferrets he is to high strung my lurcher bitch Lady however is fine and gives them a respectful distance and I let her run free when ferreting. I would never leave a ferret alone with any dog as it only takes a brief encounter to be fatal for a ferret.
You do get ferrets that bite but this is usually due to a poor upbringing and lack of handling. I had to let a ferret go last year that I had picked up as an adult she bit through my nail and tip of my finger and locked on for a good few minutes and she attacked me repeatedly this is the only ferret out of about forty I have reared and owned that has ever been untameable .
The three I have now I got as small kits and I reared them myself handling and playing with them everyday feeding them by hand and also speaking around them allot so they know my voice tone. I also handle them in the garden and e get them used to being picked up off the ground and coming out of pipes and also pipes with dead rabbits in. The first time I took them hunting I had no trouble they handled well responded to my voice and also showed a strong desire to hunt which I attribute to feeding of whole rabbits caught by Lady and Bouncer and my friends dogs, and a good instincts inherited from their mothers which have been selectively bred by my good friend for over fifteen years always keeping the best jill from the best jill. My little polecat cross Smokey came from a different breeder with the same attitude.
I hunt mine but I do think they could be kept as pets although I would rather see them worked because if ferrets are reared kept and bred just for pet or show homes then quality working instincts could be lost for ever and I feel they are enough threats to the traditional hunting methods as it is.
My bull cross lurcher Bouncer can not be trusted with ferrets he is to high strung my lurcher bitch Lady however is fine and gives them a respectful distance and I let her run free when ferreting. I would never leave a ferret alone with any dog as it only takes a brief encounter to be fatal for a ferret.
You do get ferrets that bite but this is usually due to a poor upbringing and lack of handling. I had to let a ferret go last year that I had picked up as an adult she bit through my nail and tip of my finger and locked on for a good few minutes and she attacked me repeatedly this is the only ferret out of about forty I have reared and owned that has ever been untameable .
The three I have now I got as small kits and I reared them myself handling and playing with them everyday feeding them by hand and also speaking around them allot so they know my voice tone. I also handle them in the garden and e get them used to being picked up off the ground and coming out of pipes and also pipes with dead rabbits in. The first time I took them hunting I had no trouble they handled well responded to my voice and also showed a strong desire to hunt which I attribute to feeding of whole rabbits caught by Lady and Bouncer and my friends dogs, and a good instincts inherited from their mothers which have been selectively bred by my good friend for over fifteen years always keeping the best jill from the best jill. My little polecat cross Smokey came from a different breeder with the same attitude.
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