Picking A Ferret Up From Underneath Or Top?

[Foxhole 22]

I have noticed over the years that picking the ferret from the underneath the belly instead of picking up from the top causes less nipping. it was a debate a few of us had recently.

 

What views do you guys have

[Dan25 87]

Iv got a biter and always pick him up from behind the head never thought of picking him up from underneath his body thought it would be easy for him to bite me that way

[onthehunt 40]

My ferrets have gotten picked up in different ways since they were 7 weeks old. I have never picked them up by scruff unless it was necessary but they accept being picked up in any way.

 

I don't have a problem with nipping and never have but shouldn't think it makes a difference with a bitey ferret. Hard to make an insecure biter forget his natural bite impulses by picking him up in a certain way would have thought.

[The one 8,593]

Always tried to pick them up from behind the head as well ,but one of my older Jill's is blind in one eye now and it can startle her unless she see,s you coming

[Foxhole 22]

Behind the head or over the top of the belly behind the front legs?

Edited October 19, 2013 by Foxhole

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

Foxhole; The only issue I can see that might be pertinent to this discussion is that a hand coming down on a ferrets back would closer replicate an attack by a bird of prey or larger predator.

 

Hand coming in from the side, to go under the ferret would likely seem less threatening.

 

Other than that, I agree entirely with Onthehunt. I always took my kits everywhere with me, as soon as they were weaned. They practically lived in my clothing and my hands. Thus they invariably grew into absolutely bomb proof ferrets.

 

And, yes, when working them and moving one across a bury; I simply held them with a hand under their chest and supported the back end of the bigger ones with the other hand.

 

I can't stand seeing them hung by the neck. You wouldn't drag a Dog around in a feet off the floor head lock. Why do people assume it's okay for a ferret?

[Foxhole 22]

Yes, BOP attack them from above as mine have attacked weasels and stoats. Two handed support is not always possible as i have a hawk on my other fist but i agree underhand is safer and no sudden darting at it to pick it up this can also put it into a defence mode as it was us.

 

I also believe with youngsters is if being fed before handled they nip far less than if they had not been fed. In fact i had one once that if she was not fed she would turn and hiss at you. feed her before like say 1 hour before you would seriously not know it's the same ferret. She was extremes at either end but in general i do find this

[TOMO 29,241]

The tail.......

[B.P.R 2,798]

from day 1 ive picked my ferrets up in every way possible.... when youve got your hand down a hole.... upto your shoulder... you cant be worrying about what way the ferret is facing...or what part of its body is presented to you....

 

i also poke fingers through the hutch.. replicating a child (not that this is allowed...but kids will be kids) .... never had an accident yet

[Carraghs Gem 1,699]

I pick mine up any which way... But then again im usually grabbing 2 or 3 at a time and mine dont bite well not once they know its me and not a dead bunny or chook... Pick em up by shoulders, midsection and sometimes tail... When ive 3 stinkers in one hand i tend not to be too fussy when grabbing the 4th one... Prefer to hold em by the shoulders but when ive a few running all over place i dont have time or any extra hands lol

[paulus 26]

no working ferret in these times should bite. we have come along way since sops and muzzles

[Foxhole 22]

The tail.......

Oh Jeez...

 

Just because a new member comes on a forum don't automatically think they no nothing about hunting. Computers are not my thing due to some who think in the same manner. It was an open debate of which has been around for years , In fact when i started 40 years ago. I have hunted with ferret, gun, dog and hawk. I have hunted with golden eagles in Siberia and the Ukraine and many other places. I have learnt different teqnique's but that question crops up very often

 

Not got the hump , just need to hopefully make others understand like yourself

Edited October 20, 2013 by Foxhole

[Foxhole 22]

no working ferret in these times should bite. we have come along way since sops and muzzles

I agree completely but we should still try to educate others if we can. Most give up after a few bites as lets be honest it does bloody hurt if it really goes through to the bone but perserverence is the key and if you are not tough enough then you should not be hunting at all with any animal

[The one 8,593]

Aye sometimes when there pissing off threw a hedge thats all you can get THE TAIL pull them back threw and pick them up in the normal way .

 

The only time i go for the tail is with a hardened biter go for the tail . flip the ferret over your other forearm then quickly bring your hand up for a neck hold and start stroking it once your no going to get latched on too , Sometimes it works and after a lot of careful handing it will calm down other times a biters always going to be a biter and no use as a working ferret

[rabbitcatcher 1 287]

 

 

The tail.......

Oh Jeez...

 

Just because a new member comes on a forum don't automatically think they no nothing about hunting. Computers are not my thing due to some who think in the same manner. It was an open debate of which has been around for years , In fact when i started 40 years ago. I have hunted with ferret, gun, dog and hawk. I have hunted with golden eagles in Siberia and the Ukraine and many other places. I have learnt different teqnique's but that question crops up very often

 

Not got the hump , just need to hopefully make others understand like yourself

 

You sound like Plummer lol