Ferret training??

[Rich.h 4]

Ok folks hear me out for a moment before mass laughter begins. I fully accept this may not be possible and have very low expectations from the off, however I would also like to get into ferreting and don't wish to waste a stack of cash of things I may not keep should it all go belly up.

 

Ok so background is the gf has 3 jills and 1 hoblet simply as pets, she has cat alergies and I refuse to have a dog in this house for reasons of simple space and cruelty. Thus ferrets were an ideal filler and gave my ears a rest. I know that unlike dogs you can't simply turn what was once cute and adorable into a lean killing machine and visa versa, there needs to be a proper spark to begin with. Rather than go out getting working stock kits that could well be useless (thereby leaving me with animals I don't want). I would rather take time to at least try to draw out some of the hunting instincts in the animals we already have. Also if I decide halfway through it's not for me then again all I have lost is my own time and effort.

 

With this in mind I figure they need alot of practice with tunnels and such to get used to them, thats the easy part. How do I begin to get this bunch to start viewing rabbits as things to be killed rather than just another fluff toy to jump around on? I know it will involve using dead rabbits as a training tool but having a clue where to begin?

 

Also I know they have attention spans far smaller than dogs so what sort of time should training periods last? and how often?

 

Finally for anyone who hasn't fallen over laughing yet does anyone know anywhere I can source rabbits from in n.ireland? I'm in derry so ideally would be north west or donegal direction.

[Guest annette jackman]

this could end up a hot topic lol. what do they eat? have you tried them with a dead ra\bbit or maybe pinkies or half grown mice to start? to see if theyd actually eat it, id try a farm or golf course or do you have any shoots in ur area? and see if there are any people ferreting or shooting on there see if you can speak to them and if they can give you some of what they catch. although many dont ferret this time of year. i started mine on afew small holes (2 or 3 exits) not deep and see if they'll go throw them, their naturally curious creatures so they might, but its getting them to return thats the problem, treat them with a small tit bit when they do. either that or you'll have a laugh when they dance about for you haha.ld buy one net and teach them going throw it. Malts a good one to ask i dont know if thats any help, good luck with them

ow just to add they may work the top of the hole but not go deeper, a tracker and spade maybe in order if they do

Edited July 6, 2012 by annette jackman

[Jamie m 668]

If it's in them it's in them only one way to find out : /

[Ideation 8,217]

Aye like jamie says, feed them rabbit, and give them a whirl.

[Tug 168]

Feed them plenty of rabbits in fur, get them lots of tubes to run through, try and find someone to go out with.

Even worker/worker kits can be rubbish, my two big hobs started out as 'pets' and are pretty good.