[dubie]

Hi my dads getting me some ferrets to give me a hobby and i need some help with: what food they eat and how big the cage is if they should have a run etc Ive got a guy who's going to help me when it comes to the hunting part but any tips please in need of help ( I'm getting 4 ferrets) oh yea and what sex do you suggest HELP       <----Dead soon hopefully

[fizzgigg]

ur buying 4 ferrets and know nothing about them id do some serious research pal! ur almost at the end of the season now so catching youor feed is out mine live on rabbit that i catch n rear myself, but you can buy dry biscuits especially for ferrets dont give em dog food theirs not enough protein in it for them ferrets need at least 37% protein. as for runs and hutchs bigger is always better get the biggest youve got room for mine have a sleeping compartment 3' by 2' and an exersize run thats 8' square with lots of tubs hammocks balls etc. as for sex ul probably be better buying females if your going to work em but they will need to be bred every year or have them spayed if you breed wat you gonna do with the young? theres an awful lot more you need to kno before getting em pal do lots of home work. and finally good luck ferrets are amasing little workers and pets if you put the time and effort in they will pay you back 100 times over

[loosey]

Our two have a big two tier rabbit hutch which is within a small outhouse (about 8' x 3') which we have boarded made safe as their run.

Our also eat rabbits whenever we've shot some and have special ferrett biscuits in case the bunnies are being particularly difficult that week!

They love to play, give them plenty of tubes and toys. Make sure you handle them lots from day one ... it's not fun having one attached to your eyebrow as a friend found out! Keep their nails trimmed and their ears clean

We have a male and a female. Our first year we had the female injected so they could mate without babies. Our hob is now vasectomised so they can live together full time.

I can't see much point in you getting four unless your going to be out really often (more space needed, more food needed ad for small animals tey make one hell of a mess in their toilet area!). Our two are both workers (although the hob is FAT at the moment!!) and do a brilliant job. I also wouldnt be keen to work mine without ferret finders as it's gutting losing a good ferrett

With their house, make it secure and then make it secure again! The can get in and out of anywhere!!

Have fun - they're awesome pets to keep!!

[jinglejoys]

Hyperactive kittens on speed!
http://www.ferretsforum.co.uk/  this forum might help as it has a working section

[dubie]

thanks for your help guys iill probs only get two thanks again

[hoggsbreath]

two will catch you many many rabbits.i strongly recomend a locator collar.slightest noise or smells can put the rabbits off bolting.they tend to try to keep on the run under ground and the ferrets can end up herding them all into a stop.i pulled six out of one dig the other week and ive heard of many more.without the collars you will spend many hours waiting for your ferret who may well be sleeping off a big feed of rabbit.try to get ferrets from proven working stock.all ferrets will go to ground but not all will venture into the really deep bits.so ferrets from proven stock are always a good bet.they are an intellegent animal and make for fun pets.in my opinion not much beats ferreting with a good lurcher but purse nets alone are as good.what ever you decide good luck..oh and get them used to being around your feet.

[ming]

My son had two that would follow him anywhere like dogs. We kept them in a big rabbit hutch, but I would only get two, that's  enough. And females are better hunters, smaller. They are lovely funny wee things.
 I miss them.

[daddymatty82]

also if working them be prepared for deaths a friends ferret got kicked by a buck recently and kill it a few hrs later. it was his 1st ferret and most trustworthy he had

[lill]

the bonus with ferrets is that if they can roam around your property, they will put down their scent and they rats won't come back, that is if you have any.

[clumbaboy]

hi,

 I have two hob ferrets that came from the same litter, both work well. They have two double level hutches joined together and then have either the green house or the garden to roam around. As long as they are regularly handled they stay friendly enough.
They are fed on a complete dry food and the occasional lump of rabbit. In my opinion they do not smell that bad, OH seems to think so though. 

[CameronS]

I wouldn't get Kits as a first time. i would go for something a little older.