ferret housing..

[Col_c88 41]

hello again, i have a few questions regarding ferret housing (obviously due to the topic..lol)seeing as i will soon be getting my 2 workers..

 

1)i have 2 rabbit hutches given to me, ive cleaned them out thouroly (sp?) and there pretty big, im planning on connecting them to make it a pretty big "house" however, should i put one on top of the other or side by side, im not sure of a ferrets climbing ability.

 

2)what type of ... floor i guess, should i use, like wood chipings etc?.. im gonna try NOT use straw due to i know alot of straw holds all sorts of bugs so is there some alternative to straw?

 

3)seeing as it took long enough to convince my partner to let me get these ferrets, i have to keep them in the shed, there is a small window in there but is this ok? i mean i cant imagine they need alot of light, also what about heat?

 

 

sorry if these are dumb questions but i need to learn this stuff somewhere and you guys all seem like the nicest forum group to ask.

 

 

thanks in advance

[adammubu 0]

hello again, i have a few questions regarding ferret housing (obviously due to the topic..lol)seeing as i will soon be getting my 2 workers..

 

1)i have 2 rabbit hutches given to me, ive cleaned them out thouroly (sp?) and there pretty big, im planning on connecting them to make it a pretty big "house" however, should i put one on top of the other or side by side, im not sure of a ferrets climbing ability.

 

2)what type of ... floor i guess, should i use, like wood chipings etc?.. im gonna try NOT use straw due to i know alot of straw holds all sorts of bugs so is there some alternative to straw?

 

3)seeing as it took long enough to convince my partner to let me get these ferrets, i have to keep them in the shed, there is a small window in there but is this ok? i mean i cant imagine they need alot of light, also what about heat?

 

 

sorry if these are dumb questions but i need to learn this stuff somewhere and you guys all seem like the nicest forum group to ask.

 

 

thanks in advance

 

1. Ferrets can climb quite well, and some would put one on top of the other, or they can easily just be side by side. just depends if you want to cut a hole in the bottom of the top hutch and attach a ladder or staircase up to it. Or have them side by side and cut a hole in the side and put a tube connecting them

or somthing similar. Just depends on space and preferance really, have a think which way is going to be easier to clean out.

 

2. Wood chippings on the floor is the best, makes it easier to clean up there excrements. For Bedding, you can use just old jumpers or really anything, just to keep them warm and so they snuggle into it. Some hay is also ok if its from petshops or similar as it gets a spraying which gets rid of ticks or whatever is inside.

 

3. The window should be fine as long as they will get natural light, ie. when sun comes up they get sun, and when it goes, they get dark. Or it will mess up their mating seasons. And for heat, Ferrets can't regulate their own heat, so make sure they've got warmth in the winter, and they're cool in the summer. As ferrets can pass out from being to warm, and in some cases die. And obviously the same with the cold, although it is harder for things to happen in cold as they will have a big coat.

 

ATB, Adam.

Edited February 2, 2011 by adammubu

[Born Hunter 17,959]

agree with all the above. I will however add, heat will kill a ferret a long time before cold will. Make sure the shed doesnt get too hot in the summer, dont worry about the cold as long as they have a bed box of some sort with plenty of bedding theyll be fine.

[Jamie m 668]

Yep make sure plenty of air in the summer I put a big heavy dog bowl in and three times or twice a day fill it with ice cold water they love it I had to run a few under the cold tap last summer as they had fainted did the trick

[Col_c88 41]

ncie thankyou very much for the quick reply.... i am going to build a door frame and fill the frame with wire mesh stuff and put it behind the main shed door so that if it does get warm i can keep the shed door open and feel safe that noone can get in quick but will still let alot of air in.

 

when you say a bed box do you mean i have to have a seperate area for just there bedding or can i partition half of one of the hutches off with a hole and they will climb in there to sleep?

 

 

wow i feel a bit dumb lol

 

edit: Oh yea!.. i know what i will be feeding them but should they be drinking water or goats milk in the winter

Edited February 2, 2011 by Col_c88

[Jamie m 668]

Water

[ace32 4]

hiya,yep they need a seperate bedding area,that you can get into easily to clean,and wipe down as they get damp in the winter due to respiration,well mine do ,but i got 5 in there,snug as bugs in a rug,make sure they have fresh water all the time,draught,s are your main concern,in the winter,for the chill factor,i wouldnt be feeding too much goats milk or any dairy product,s,just plenty meat,and as much room as you can give em,to play in,they are funny as fk to watch,in the summer,make sure all holes,did i say all holes are well sorted,in the shed,and dont use crappy chicken wire for door,s or out else,if they want out they will chew straight through it,they are born escape artist,s,and very inteligent,so when your lieing in your bed or chilling in front of the tv,they are out there exploring every single inch of their home,it,s just what they do for fun,apart from that they are class,give you years of fun and work well,spot on little bugger,s,a happy well fed fert,is a pleasure to handle,and work with,ok,ian

[Col_c88 41]

thankyou very much guys i got the job i was on finished today so im starting on the shed tomorrow

 

thanks again