jigsaw 11,902 Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 I went out to the ferret boxes today and the young are around 5 weeks now.They were getting stuck into a rabbit we shot this morning.I decided to put a fresh bowl of water in for the kits and when I placed it in the hutch the mother drank like she hadnt seen water for a week,this is even though there are 2 water bottles hanging on the cage front and topped up every evening.My question is,does anyone feel the same as me and think the bottle system is inadequit,and are there any better ideas out there to beat this problem.I have 4 hutches and now I'm wondering if the rest of the ferrefs have the same problem.If you have a better way of supplying water without the usual spillages I would appreciate if you would share it with me,I was always happy with the set up I had but now I have my doubts,thanks for your help Jigsaw. Quote Link to post
Guest Frank Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 Hi Jigsaw. All i can think of is to put the bowl of water in twice a day, let the doe drink her fill and the kits, then take it out. This happened to me a few years ago when i kept ferrets, as i found the mother drank a lot when feeding the young ones. Water bottles are fine, but i think when they are really thirsty, they cant seem to get a proper drink out of them. Also, just in case, check the nosel of the bottles, to see if they are working fine, but im sure they are. Hope that has helped a wee bit. Frank. Quote Link to post
Guest wickidweasel Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 I find thirsty ferrets seem to get bored trying to drink from water bottles have you ever tried drinking from one it takes ages to get a small amount. I always use bowls in summer Quote Link to post
Guest MOLLY Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 I use a seed tray (ones without holes in) And put a heavy rock in the middle, they get lots of water, can scrabble about on the rock getting wet when they are hot and they cannot tip it over. MOLL. Quote Link to post
Guest ferreting king Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 (edited) i have water bottles on all of my hutches but i dont like them that much as its hard for the ferret to drink it, but when i put a bowl of water in all bits of sawdust , food and other things get in there and it gets messy thats a good idea molly but one thing, could they catch anything off the rock? Edited June 25, 2006 by ferreting king Quote Link to post
Guest MOLLY Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 thats a good idea molly but one thing, could they catch anything off the rock? , well if they can they would be useless for going anywhere outdoors, im sure there are plenty of rocks when working. MOLL. Quote Link to post
Guest wickidweasel Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 ill have to remember to tell the mrs i cant weed round the rockery incase i catch somthing thats one bit less to do Quote Link to post
Guest chilli Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 :11: :11: :11: Quote Link to post
jigsaw 11,902 Posted June 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 :11: :11: :11: seed tray is worth a try,but as someone said the sawdust gets into the water a bit,but I think if its changed regularly that shouldnt be a problem.Thanks for the ideas,any more tips would be appreciated. Quote Link to post
Guest Frank Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 I use a seed tray (ones without holes in) And put a heavy rock in the middle, they get lots of water, can scrabble about on the rock getting wet when they are hot and they cannot tip it over. MOLL. Thats a cracking idea Moll. Cheers. Ill do that in hot weather when i get mine. Frank. Quote Link to post
Guest MOLLY Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 seed tray is worth a try,but as someone said the sawdust gets into the water a bit,but I think if its changed regularly that shouldnt be a problem.Thanks for the ideas,any more tips would be appreciated. Mine is up above, on top of the hutch in their court so it doesnt get sawdust in, but as you say if you change it reg, at least you know for a full day and night they will have plenty of water MOLL. Quote Link to post
MikeTheDog 153 Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 I think they just like a fresh drink jigsaw ...I spray mine often with water when it's hot and they just stand there up against the mesh taking it full in the mouth Quote Link to post
Guest wickidweasel Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 ive always used a litter tray in my court my rock isnt as impressive its just a bit of crazy paving you cant see the bit of slab but trust me its in there with its 1000s of little bacteria Quote Link to post
Guest eddie willo Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 I use the giant most biggest water bottle in the shops with the biggest nozzle as when the ferret wants a drink now it gets more out of the bottle ! eddie:) Quote Link to post
COMPO 54 Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 I have thought about this myself, i have thought that when its hot they cant get water quick enough, the tray/bowl is useful but does get sawdust/crap etc...in i have found though the bigger the bottle (and hence the spout) the quicker they can get a gob full, i change the water every day, check the spouts and also have three bottles for 5 ferrets (on the one large communal hutch) I may get a deep high sided tray and use Molly's idea :wacko: Quote Link to post
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.