First Ferret.

[ferretingnewbie 66]

Hello. I git my first ferret today. He's 2 years old. The man I bought him from said he's always lived on his own handles well and only gets him out once a week. I have no problems with that he does handle well kids love him and can hold him no problems. Its his first night here but I just wanted to no 1 thing.i showed him to the dogs they took no interest let him run round the house for half an hour with the kids but [BANNED TEXT] I put him in his hutch he's pacing up and down won't sit still or lay down. Is this normal and he's just getting used to new surroundings or have I done something wrong? I got him a second hand rabbit hutch bleached it last week and put all the toys and stuff I've seen on here. Should I get him out again or leave him till the morning?

[ZeusPolecat 185]

Getting used to new surroundings yeah. But that behavior can also indicate boredom.

They need stimulation, as they are smart critters. When a child, I had a hob who lived alone and he paced back and forth. Looking back it haunts me as I see it as insanity now.

A friend will do him wonders and feeding doesn't cost much. Decisions upon finding him a friend will depend on his sexual situation. Entire/vasectomised or castrated?

The bigger the space he has the better. Tubes, boxes, balls or whatever stimulation you can provide will help. Changing the stimulation items weekly will keep it fresh.

Most ferrets will display pacing or similar behavior when they know your around or approaching. That's excitement for what you may bring, be it a hunting trip, time out of the cage, food, toys or whatever. That's nothing to worry about.

Edited March 19, 2016 by ZeusPolecat

[ferretingnewbie 66]

Getting used to new surroundings yeah. But that behavior can also indicate boredom.

 

They need stimulation, as they are smart critters. When a child, I had a hob who lived alone and he paced back and forth. Looking back it haunts me as I see it as insanity now.

 

A friend will do him wonders and feeding doesn't cost much. Decisions upon finding him a friend will depend on his sexual situation. Entire/vasectomised or castrated?

 

The bigger the space he has the better. Tubes, boxes, balls or whatever stimulation you can provide will help. Changing the stimulation items weekly will keep it fresh.

 

Most ferrets will display pacing or similar behavior when they know your around or approaching. That's excitement for what you may bring, be it a hunting trip, time out of the cage, food, toys or whatever. That's nothing to worry about.

Thanks for the reply. He was in a small rabbit hutch but I read your reply so I've started to make a bigger home for him.

I've started but not finished yet. I bought a second hand shed and put a different hutch inside. I've bought a ball pit, cat post, cat balls, a wheel Barrow tyre, carpet, and a storage box to fill with shredded paper and sawdust. I havn't bought another ferret yet because I'm unsure what to get. Gill or hob. Its my sons ferret and he lives being out there with him so not in any rush.

 

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

He will be much happier in that fella. Nice work.

[ZeusPolecat 185]

Brilliant effort that! Good on you! Sounds like he will have lots to keep him occupied!!

Whats his sexual situation? I'd presume entire?

If you don't want anymore thats understandable but If it comes into consideration..

If looking for a second ferret Id suggest a jill (For working intentions, if not - go hob). Mainly because it broadens your potential working environments. For year round contact he would need castrated, but they could be parted to suit other needs.. You say hes lived alone for two years... that may mean his social knowledge is undeveloped. I've seen year+ old solo hobs that never take to a friend but every ferrets different in these situations.

Honestly doesn't cost much in terms of feeding. Kibble provides the balance and the odd rabbit does them the world of good. I house three and all use a litter box, needs emptied once a day. Only price on top of that is a vets bill but if they are well looked after its very unlikely.

I chip my jills to keep them out of season. I get that at cost price, but most people wont. So best to research other methods beforehand.

Edited March 25, 2016 by ZeusPolecat

[krawnden 1,036]

Zeus - what d'you mean by "chip" your jills? Not an expression I've come across before.

[ZeusPolecat 185]

Zeus - what d'you mean by "chip" your jills? Not an expression I've come across before.

Sorry, men't the implant. Has kept them out for three years so far. Not bad for £40.

[krawnden 1,036]

OK, thanks

[ferretingnewbie 66]

Brilliant effort that! Good on you! Sounds like he will have lots to keep him occupied!!

 

Whats his sexual situation? I'd presume entire?

 

If you don't want anymore thats understandable but If it comes into consideration..

 

If looking for a second ferret Id suggest a jill (For working intentions, if not - go hob). Mainly because it broadens your potential working environments. For year round contact he would need castrated, but they could be parted to suit other needs.. You say hes lived alone for two years... that may mean his social knowledge is undeveloped. I've seen year+ old solo hobs that never take to a friend but every ferrets different in these situations.

 

Honestly doesn't cost much in terms of feeding. Kibble provides the balance and the odd rabbit does them the world of good. I house three and all use a litter box, needs emptied once a day. Only price on top of that is a vets bill but if they are well looked after its very unlikely.

 

I chip my jills to keep them out of season. I get that at cost price, but most people wont. So best to research other methods beforehand.

 

..

Edited March 28, 2016 by ferretingnewbie

[ZeusPolecat 185]

Has he settled down a bit now?

[ferretingnewbie 66]

Has he settled down a bit now?

Yeh finished building everything now. He's a lot calmer. Still can't help but feel sorry for him and want 2 get another ferret now. Just jot sure what to get and how to introduce them.

I might rehome a jill already done from a rehousing place in essex. I don't want to breed them just he looks a bit bored on his own.