Daily Routine

[Danny_ 0]

Im going to word this carefully as it could be misconstrued.

 

I am thinking of keeping ferrets (Initially as pets), and have been reading varying bollocks on the internet. I may be able to have a cage such as this one below I found on this site, depending on how well I can blag my parents but may however be forced to keep them in a smaller cage perhaps even in the garage.

 

 

There are two lurchers in my family, one of which I spend many hours a day out walking and then a few more training (pup) ... the other tends to get walked by someone else as he only wants to walk 15 yards and then sleeps (Old bugger). I am wondering how I could fit ferrets into my daily life, and what toll it would take on my life! I am not trying to work out how lazy ass I can be with them as they will hopefully become great pets that I can spend many hours with, my worry is will I be able to go away at the weekend and leave them in the care of other family members who may not want to spend as much time caring for them.

 

One of my main thoughts is that if ferrets were to have a large enough cage would they need taking out every day? Would this change if it was a smaller cage (say a 2x2x4 feet cage I saw plans for somewhere more like a traditional rabbit hutch).

 

Also, I was thinking when I come back from work to take the dog down the fields could I take the ferrets with me for a bit of exercise?

 

So ... what is your daily routine with your ferrets, and what is the minimum effort they truthfully need on a day to day basis!

 

Thanks for reading my dam essay ha!

[scothunter 12,609]

Im going to word this carefully as it could be misconstrued.

 

I am thinking of keeping ferrets (Initially as pets), and have been reading varying bollocks on the internet. I may be able to have a cage such as this one below I found on this site, depending on how well I can blag my parents but may however be forced to keep them in a smaller cage perhaps even in the garage.

 

 

There are two lurchers in my family, one of which I spend many hours a day out walking and then a few more training (pup) ... the other tends to get walked by someone else as he only wants to walk 15 yards and then sleeps (Old bugger). I am wondering how I could fit ferrets into my daily life, and what toll it would take on my life! I am not trying to work out how lazy ass I can be with them as they will hopefully become great pets that I can spend many hours with, my worry is will I be able to go away at the weekend and leave them in the care of other family members who may not want to spend as much time caring for them.

 

One of my main thoughts is that if ferrets were to have a large enough cage would they need taking out every day? Would this change if it was a smaller cage (say a 2x2x4 feet cage I saw plans for somewhere more like a traditional rabbit hutch).

 

Also, I was thinking when I come back from work to take the dog down the fields could I take the ferrets with me for a bit of exercise?

 

So ... what is your daily routine with your ferrets, and what is the minimum effort they truthfully need on a day to day basis!

 

Thanks for reading my dam essay ha!

 

Well @least you are asking the right questions mate before just jumping in with two feet.If your dogs are ok with ferts then i dont see why you couldnt take them with you.As for family helping out when you are unavailable I cant visage any major probs unless they are terrified of ferts lol.As long as they have fresh meat &water they will be ok till you get back.They are pretty un demanding animals really.If you go for the hutch get one a min of 4ft,but if you do manage to blag a new run of your parents ask them to get two lol

All the best in your new venture mate.

[Kay 3,709]

Im going to word this carefully as it could be misconstrued.

 

I am thinking of keeping ferrets (Initially as pets), and have been reading varying bollocks on the internet. I may be able to have a cage such as this one below I found on this site, depending on how well I can blag my parents but may however be forced to keep them in a smaller cage perhaps even in the garage.

 

 

There are two lurchers in my family, one of which I spend many hours a day out walking and then a few more training (pup) ... the other tends to get walked by someone else as he only wants to walk 15 yards and then sleeps (Old bugger). I am wondering how I could fit ferrets into my daily life, and what toll it would take on my life! I am not trying to work out how lazy ass I can be with them as they will hopefully become great pets that I can spend many hours with, my worry is will I be able to go away at the weekend and leave them in the care of other family members who may not want to spend as much time caring for them.

 

One of my main thoughts is that if ferrets were to have a large enough cage would they need taking out every day? Would this change if it was a smaller cage (say a 2x2x4 feet cage I saw plans for somewhere more like a traditional rabbit hutch).

 

Also, I was thinking when I come back from work to take the dog down the fields could I take the ferrets with me for a bit of exercise?

 

So ... what is your daily routine with your ferrets, and what is the minimum effort they truthfully need on a day to day basis!

 

Thanks for reading my dam essay ha!

 

The more space you give them the better the sizes you quote wont be anywhere near big enough , think 6x6x6 , they need cleaning out daily so you will have to handle them daily & feeding daily, if you cant afford the time i wouldnt bother personally , there not going to appreciate being shut in a tiny hutch

 

The walks with the dogs ok once the dogs ferret bomb proof , ferrets are not the sort off animals you can just get out when you feel like it, there fairly high maintanence

[Guest bigredbusa]

feed and water daily, clean crap out daily , proper clean once a week , handle as much as possable and the best exercise is to let them do what they where bred for = going down rabbit holes and catching coney

[Danny_ 0]

Well @least you are asking the right questions mate before just jumping in with two feet.If your dogs are ok with ferts then i dont see why you couldnt take them with you.As for family helping out when you are unavailable I cant visage any major probs unless they are terrified of ferts lol.As long as they have fresh meat &water they will be ok till you get back.They are pretty un demanding animals really.If you go for the hutch get one a min of 4ft,but if you do manage to blag a new run of your parents ask them to get two lol

All the best in your new venture mate.

 

Thanks for the advice! There would only be the one dog introduced to the ferrets which is my collie x grey pup who has never seen one before so I would have to take it as it comes.

 

The more space you give them the better the sizes you quote wont be anywhere near big enough , think 6x6x6 , they need cleaning out daily so you will have to handle them daily & feeding daily, if you cant afford the time i wouldnt bother personally , there not going to appreciate being shut in a tiny hutch

 

The walks with the dogs ok once the dogs ferret bomb proof , ferrets are not the sort off animals you can just get out when you feel like it, there fairly high maintanence

 

I dont mean to be rude, but what your saying seems to go completely against the grain and very negative. For example, if I try and buy a ferret cage using a simple google search I dont find many cages 6x6x6, infact mostly are a lot smaller than the smallest size I quoted. The small size I quoted was from the national ferret welfare society NFWS Hutch plans and description here.. I am not a child, I can responsibly own and ensure a good life for a pet(s) I do not need people scare mongering to try and put me off, I simply want facts about the ownership of ferrets so I can make my own informed decision. I admit in a perfect world it would be wonderfull if I could buy a semi detatched in south london to house my ferrets but unfortunately I have to compromise. Also at no point did I say that I couldnt afford the time, I pointed out that sometimes (once a month if you must know) I will be away and another family member will have the responsibility of looking after the pets (my dog included). How is cleaning and feeding once a day high maintainence I succesfully manage a dog and I wouldnt call a dog high maintenance ... are ferrets harder than keeping a dog?

 

 

feed and water daily, clean crap out daily , proper clean once a week , handle as much as possable and the best exercise is to let them do what they where bred for = going down rabbit holes and catching coney

 

Thanks for the sound, simple and informative advice! I do have long term dreams of ferreting etc but Im trying to take it one step at a time!

[stubby 175]

hi danny,

 

some good questions there, as with any animal, the more space you can give it the better, but lets say, you only get permission for a hutch in the garage, its a start, Im sure once mum and dad see how good ferrets are, it wont be long before your given permission for an outside court, if you could give them a 48" long hutch, and let them have the run of the garage each day, that would be a start, some of the underground tubing made up like a maze, would give them a good run/workout each day, as they would be pets to start with Id suggest 2 hobs, although they can be a little "smellier" in the summer, they are more laid back, and easier than having to get jills, taken out of season, or jill jabbed each year

 

as for going away, if the family arnt too happy on cutting up raw meat, then as long as the ferrets are used to a dry food as well as fresh, having to live on dry food for a weekend, aint going to kill them, plenty of fresh water though, as feeding dry, they will drink more

 

although you could take them out with the lurcher, unless your carrying them, I cant see you getting far, theres quite a bit of difference in walking pace/ speed between ferts and lurcher

[The one 8,582]

feed and water daily, clean crap out daily , proper clean once a week , handle as much as possable and the best exercise is to let them do what they where bred for = going down rabbit holes and catching coney

 

Your next question about hutches etc most folk buy one and they are too small so a lot of folk make there own or are moving to courts now

but you would be better going to the library and reading as much as you can before you think any more about getting ferrets

[Danny_ 0]

Ok all, thanks for all the replies its given me a lot to think about. As for a little update I have managed to convice the old man to let me have some ferrets and I will be able to keep them in the back garden ( I still cant afford the afforementioned semi in south london im afraid kay ). I have a very sheltered area at the end of the garden (WxLxH) 2 x 4 x however high I want ( but I think 5 foot would be pushing it ).

 

I have inspected the garden and basically there is no way of escape unless they can

 

a) dig through concrete

dig through fence panel

c) climb fence panels

d) jump fence panels

e) hire a scissor lift from speedy

 

so it looks like under supervision each day they will be able to have a good run round the garden destroying my old mans plants. If this proves to be a little uncontrollable I will use a 6x6x2 (WxLxH) run for them on a paved area with suitable toys. I have also arranged suitable plans for when I am unable to tend to the ferrets. Sooooo I am pretty sure I am going to have them now I just need to read lots, ask lots, make plans and hopefully ensure I am all ready for when I get them!

 

Thanks all for your help!

[scothunter 12,609]

Looks like you got angles covered mate.Just a tip for you walk that garden again and treble check "EVERYTHING"!If there is a way they can escape they will find it lol..Even the smallest of gaps are an opportunity.You will have many an enjoyable time watching them there amazing wee animals.

 

Probally shouldnt worry about them hiring a scissor lift.There no chance they will have a ticket to operate it lol

 

If you looking for a good ferrerting book gimme a shout i got one or two that are gathering dust.

[Guest bigredbusa]

a) dig through concrete

dig through fence panel

c) climb fence panels

d) jump fence panels

e) hire a scissor lift from speedy

 

apparantly pet ones can do all 5 lol , joking aside go for it , feed fresh meat when you can .

 

good luck

[The one 8,582]

I have inspected the garden and basically there is no way of escape unless they can

 

a) dig through concrete

dig through fence panel

c) climb fence panels

d) jump fence panels

e) hire a scissor lift from speedy

 

Just watch them climb fence pannels mate ,enjoy your ferrets