First Time Ferreter

[Guest Feygan]

Hi all, Im looking into getting ferrets for the first time, I've known a few folk that have owned them in the past and have handled a fair few so I know im fine on that side of things. Ove the past couple of months I've been doing my reading up to learn all I can, and am ideally looking at around january time for buying.

 

I do have a few questions though. Firstly does anyone know any reputable breeders in northern ireland and thir contact details?

Second, I would like to work them after maybe 6 months to a year, however to start with I am thinking as primarily as pets until I am fully comfrotable with them and have got used to the odd quirks all animal types have. Will having them as a pet to start with damage my chances of working them later or can they be taught such skills later in life?

Finally, I keep seeing how they are socialble animals, and there are times when I can be at work for 14 hours at a stretch, so I was thinking it may be best for me to get 2 animals to prevent destructive bordem on their part. Which gender combinations are going to be best for me? I'm not really looking into breeding or anything so same sex is an option if it makes them easier to keep.

[Guest lady hunter]

if i were you i would have hobs, as jills can be a pain in the ass when they come into season, and as for keeping them as pets first i dont see as a problem many lads keep dogs that are pets but will still work as good as all the rest, it dont hurt any animal to have a bit of time spent with you, i personally dont think it will hinder its working ability, hope you find what you are looking for and i hope you have some good fun with your ferrets happy hunting for the future

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Hullo, mate. You want buy ....?!

 

Ok. Firstly, let me say that I can't find a word of fault with what Lady Hunter just told ye. That's all dead on the money.

 

However, what wasn't said there is that you'd have about as much chance of picking up any worth while stock then as ye would finding a virgin in an old folks home!

 

As for Working said ~ inplausibly unobtainable ~ ferrets 'six months later'?! Man; Six months after January is July, isn't it? And have your researches not yet led you to think; " Hmmmm ... July? Season of the young! Maybe I could expect to find sack loads of fresh, bouncy, baby ferrets available around then? And maybe I could even then look at Working these ferrets around about the October time ~ when they and, most of, the baby bunnies will be old enough to run? "

 

Only, that's how I'd be thinking. Know what I mean?

 

Tell ye what: How about ye stick around here. Read what some of us stuck in our ways, boring old farts of life times experiances have to say to each other. Watch the sort of questions asked and the advice offered. Generally enjoy yeself watching the cabaret. Do that and I reckon, by the time the next wave of kit's becomes available, you'll know a Lot more about ferrets, ferreting and the universe

 

Maybe even someone'll ~ eventually ~ mention a trip out, to see what it's Really all about? Who knows?

 

 

Have fun, mate. But please get back to the drawing board of ye 'research'. You yet have much to sort out.

[Guest Frank]

From June onwards, ferrets are for sale in this Irish paper below:

 

http://www.buyandsell.ie/browse.php?m=22&s=22&g=00192&

 

Their could be some in their now.

 

Ferrets will work no matter what age, its how you enter them that matters.

Take your time and pateince, means a lot.

 

Frank.

[Guest JDF]

feygan read and digest ditchshitters post and if your still interested come summer pm me and i'll help you out.

[Guest Feygan]

Thanks for the replies etc. So when should i really be looking to get hold of them? I did speak to someone yesterday who knows a breeder that will have a batch of kits avalible around mid to late janurary, would they be worthwhile looking at or leaving? As for the working side of things, I'm not in a big rush to do that it's just something I'd like to do once I've gained more experince with the animal.

[Guest Frank]

Id wait till the summer.

 

Frank.

[Guest Feygan]

JDF thanks for the offer its much appriecieated. Where abouts in N.Ire are you, I'm over near limavady, and was wondering if it would possible to meet up and see some in action etc to get some first hand learning before I take the plunge and get a cpl of them myself? I'm sure we could work out some payment system on the pint meter

Edited December 23, 2006 by Feygan