1st Ferrets for me.

[Adam1010 0]

Evening all, this year I am finally in a position to be able to get my own ferrets. as you can imagine I have a couple of questions. Although I have been/done ferreting in the past (although not recently) I am no expert. 
 

1st off when’s best to buy ferret kits. I believe the summer time is best from what I remember but in between which months, if there is “set months” 

2nd is there anyone in Kent on here who breeds ferrets to sell on? 

also any other tips when getting my first couple of ferrets would be much appreciated.

Ta. Adam. 

[fred90 3,087]

around late June and July there will be plenty of young kits available. your choice but I would go for 2 Jill's at 8 weeks old. 

[Bobtheferret 1,223]

As Fred has already said be plenty of kits available in the next month or so, I have an early litter at the moment that are probably only 2/3 weeks from being weaned but often it’s a bit later. I would just flesh out what Fred said and say my personal feeling is that ferrets should be kept in minimum of pairs as they are social animals and need companionship. If you get jills you will need to have them taken out of season in the spring or get hobs and get them castrated or separate them in the summer as they will probably fight. Handle your kits as much as you can and be patient when it comes to working them, I had some new kits to freshen my bloodline  last season as they were slow to take to it even with the experienced ferrets to guide them but with a bit of perseverance they ended up top workers by the end of the season. If you intend to work with a dog make sure to get the ferrets and dog used to eat other before you work them. Good luck. 

[Adam1010 0]

Thanks all for your inputs so far. I intended on getting jills and was looking to go down the Jill jab route. Does anyone else do this? Purely because I am after smaller ferrets. I was going to get a pair from the same litter. However this does not mean that I have set my mind on that and I am open to peoples opinions in the Jill/job debate. 

so far I have sorted a twin story hutch Made a ferret box and got everything together that I could think I would need. Started making my nets early this year. ( started early so I had plenty of time to get a decent amount of nets together. Although I understand they won’t be able to work the first season am I right in saying this? 

[fred90 3,087]

it varies really. some people start them at 6 months old and have no problem. kits born in May could be tried at end of November. some leave them till the following year. the chap who I had my present jills from was bolting a few at 16 weeks, which I would call early, he used to be on this site and certainly knows his way around ferreting

[Arry 18,484]

I agree with you Fred, I look at it like this if they were wild they would have to hunt by the Autumn or die.

Cheers Arry

[Daniel cain 42,789]

Get all my kits out around December time, with an experienced ferret and let them do their thing....  

[Aussie Whip 3,819]

18 hours ago, Adam1010 said:

Although I understand they won’t be able to work the first season am I right in saying this? 

I start them at 5months but don't expect too much from them at this age.I think ferrets get better and better with age and experience,almost until death.