conflicting advice, help

[Guest annette jackman]

Whats the best way to start a ferret off, and the best age. Family say to start on afew 2 holers and friends says to let it go down with an experianced ferret. Also what age? Friend says 4 months, family say 6? Arrrh need help. Have only owned a older Jill, and my young hobb is already nearly as big as she was, hes 12 weeks old. Any advice out there also any one know where to get a curved ferret box from near the merseyside area or mail order .

Cheers all

[Ideation 8,217]

I usually wait until they are a good 6months old, and have stopped being so babyish and playing about. Size don't mean that much, it's metality.

 

I put this up to a similar question before - might help -

 

 

"Handle them a lot, get them used to you feet, the dogs, the nets, tubes, tunnels, the grass, going in the box, getting collars on.

 

Pick them up from the mouth of tubes gently and calmly, so they don't mind your hand reaching for them at the mouth of a hole.

 

Feed them and water them well, maybe introduce a whistle when you feed them.

 

Do not starve them, thats stupid, pointless and cruel, and do not throw them live bunnies, it's also pointless, cruel and just weird.

 

Enter them, in small, occupied warrens, maybe behind an experianced worker.

 

Now heres a thing i sometimes do that people will probably think is mad. When the young un is put in first time (i do it alone), and a rabbit bolts, i quickly neck it in the net and leave it by the hole for the ferret to come out and have a rag of, as a wee reward. . . .seems to (in my head) make them equate bolting as a good thing, rather than killing in. (maybe i'm mad, but last season we didn't have one, mid tube kill or dig). "

 

Always go for a small warren, pref occupied (get a good dog), with or with out an adult infront (i do without, but then i usually wait until they are 6-9 months).

 

Maybe try moxy on here for a box???

[Guest annette jackman]

I usually wait until they are a good 6months old, and have stopped being so babyish and playing about. Size don't mean that much, it's metality.

 

I put this up to a similar question before - might help -

 

 

"Handle them a lot, get them used to you feet, the dogs, the nets, tubes, tunnels, the grass, going in the box, getting collars on.

 

Pick them up from the mouth of tubes gently and calmly, so they don't mind your hand reaching for them at the mouth of a hole.

 

Feed them and water them well, maybe introduce a whistle when you feed them.

 

Do not starve them, thats stupid, pointless and cruel, and do not throw them live bunnies, it's also pointless, cruel and just weird.

 

Enter them, in small, occupied warrens, maybe behind an experianced worker.

 

Now heres a thing i sometimes do that people will probably think is mad. When the young un is put in first time (i do it alone), and a rabbit bolts, i quickly neck it in the net and leave it by the hole for the ferret to come out and have a rag of, as a wee reward. . . .seems to (in my head) make them equate bolting as a good thing, rather than killing in. (maybe i'm mad, but last season we didn't have one, mid tube kill or dig). "

 

Always go for a small warren, pref occupied (get a good dog), with or with out an adult infront (i do without, but then i usually wait until they are 6-9 months).

 

Maybe try moxy on here for a box???

 

Thanks for that, i wouldnt starve him, afew do that round here with the dogs dont see the point can break the bound and i never have a problem with my dog and shes fed. I'll try that advice with the food from the hole ive started shouting he and he responds in his hutch but i'll try the whistle. Hes far to crazy at the moment still thinks am his personal play mate haha

cheers for that