New Ferret owner questions and advice

[ade33uk 86]

where do you stand on this book ditch http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Guide-Fer...=pd_sim_b_img_4 i recommend this book , along with the porter and brown book which is on ebay at the moment for a tenner http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/THE-COMPLETE-BOOK-OF...1QQcmdZViewItem

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Ade; As stated elsewhere on here, mate: I tossed the MacKay effort on the fire. Brian Plummer, " Modern Ferreting " is another I wouldn't pick up for arse wipe.

 

But that's just my personal take on those two books. I've read a fare bit of inconsequental drivel in my time. Most of that kicked off around about the time Porter and Brown brought out their - to me - Definative book.

 

Funny thing is; I can't for the life of me remember what made such a strongly negative impression on me with the MacKay one. I do remember Plummers was just disapointing shit. It was completely lacking in either sound information or his customary 'Good Read' value. Like something he'd just slung out as a sop to some publisher who was getting on his nerves by badgering him for something on the subject - a subject he patently knew next to f*ck all about.

 

Has no one ever picked up on the fact that I never voice any opinion on the works of Drakeford or Whitehead? Simply never read them.

[ade33uk 86]

one of my favourite books on rabbiting in general is rabbiting by bob smithson will try and find a link for it .

[lorelei0922 2]

Ok. Stop right there. Someone's seemingly talking bollox. I'd be fasinated to hear more about the conditions one may impose on ferrets to make them able to produce young in mid January. Please ask the doner of these " 10 week old ferrets " how he managed that one.

 

 

Hi Ditch... just to say.. more than possible... one of my jills came into season very early january ... she easily could have 10 week old kits by now...

 

They are housed outside in a 10 x 4 shed with only dim natural lighting... so its possible...

 

with the way the climate is changing, I wont say thats not possible, but have you got hob's, that came into season too?

 

 

Hi, at the time they were still all housed together in their court... figuring the hob would just take care of things we left them together .. He's just coming up to a year as well, and brought her out of season quick enough .. BUT i admit He may not have been fully in season because the jill had a false pregancy and directly back into season about 3 weeks ago... His testicles are now VERY much fully decsended and has to be seperated to save the jills' necks. Left jill in season a week before putting her back into the court with him for 3-4 days, so we'll see this time..

[scarface79 0]

Thanks for everyone that replied to my post. The issue with me having 2 accounts reg

is being sorted thanks to stubby(cheers mate), I've taken onboard all your comments i have already actually ordered some books off the internet on Friday before i posted my questions but they haven’t arrived yet, I’ll let you know when they arrive what books they are as my girlfriend ordered them,

 

After reading you comments and doing a bit of research on the net I’ve decided to have my Jill spaded and the Hob snipped as I do really want to keep them together but I don’t want to breed from them. They are great company and fun for one another and if I don’t use them for working which I hope I can there just be extended family members along with all our many reptiles and puppy. I understand they need a lot of attention and care believe me even though I’m a pest controller I am absolutely devoted to all of my animals so there should be no fears from any members that feel I just got them without thinking and researching them first. I keep and have bred many reptiles over the years so I understand the time and effort all animal require and need so they have a long and happy healthy life.

 

Regarding me stating they’re 10 weeks old I was told this from the person who gave me them not being an experienced ferret keeper I can only go on what I was told so I’m going to post some pictures tomorrow so you can cast your expert eyes and play guess the age

 

I'm still very keen to learn from any experience ferreter (sic) around my area as books can only teach you so much so I’d be grateful if anyone out there would be prepared to teach me first hand .I’m actually in a Easter shooting competition over in Popham tomorrow so I’m going to ask around and see if there is anyone there I can have a chat too.

 

 

Anyway great to get to know you all and thanks for all your help and advice so far

 

Adam

[stubby 175]

hi scarface, good write up, I would think about just having the hob snipped as that will solve your future problems, leaving the jill intact, will not only save you money, but give you the option of breeding her with an un-related hob in the future, should you want too

[COMPO 54]

hi scarface, good write up, I would think about just having the hob snipped as that will solve your future problems, leaving the jill intact, will not only save you money, but give you the option of breeding her with an un-related hob in the future, should you want too

 

 

Thats what i suggested....one vasectomised hob= as many jill ferrets as you want and he will take them out of season and no babies.

 

plus it leaves the jills intact and able to have babies in a few years if you so wish!

 

Plus the operation on the jill is a lot more invasive and the animal is a lot more at risk than the vasectomy on the hob,

 

and its cheaper for one operation than two, or more depending on how many jills you end up with, and trust me when you are ferreting more and more, and possibly doing rabbit jobs paid with work, you will want/need more ferrets

 

I have 1 hoblet (vasectomised hob) and 3 jills, ( i did have 6 jills at one point-2 are now with my ferreting partner and 1 died recently)