ferret help please

[markhill]

I wanted a ferret ever since I was little and the bloke next door had some in his shed.

We've just got back from my sister-in-laws and they got a ferret a few months back but its the first time i've seen it, its bloody gawjus.

They said they can get them when ever as the person they got theirs from breeds them and can get them for free.

Basically I know pretty much nothing about them and want to know more before I get one/some.

Looking at this one I'd assume they're highly social animals and wopuld be better kept in pairs/groups but I dont want babies so would all males or all females be better?
I'd only really want two, no more than that.

They feed theirs on dog/cat food, is that ok or are there better foods for ferrets?

What sort of size cage would I be looking at for a pair of ferrets bearing in mind i'd get them out for excersise every day for an hour or so.

Anything else anyone can add/offer I'd be very grateful.

Thanks

[fenwoman]

Originally Posted by markhill

I wanted a ferret ever since I was little and the bloke next door had some in his shed.

We've just got back from my sister-in-laws and they got a ferret a few months back but its the first time i've seen it, its bloody gawjus.

They said they can get them when ever as the person they got theirs from breeds them and can get them for free.

Basically I know pretty much nothing about them and want to know more before I get one/some.

Looking at this one I'd assume they're highly social animals and wopuld be better kept in pairs/groups but I dont want babies so would all males or all females be better?
I'd only really want two, no more than that.

They feed theirs on dog/cat food, is that ok or are there better foods for ferrets?

What sort of size cage would I be looking at for a pair of ferrets bearing in mind i'd get them out for excersise every day for an hour or so.

Anything else anyone can add/offer I'd be very grateful.

Thanks

Don't encourage more people to breed ferrets. There are too many unwanted ones about hence them being given away for free. You should never keep a single one. Shame your sister didn't do any research or she'd have known this. You cannot keep a female ferret unless you have her spayed or jill jabbed as they come into season and stay in season until they die of aplastic anaemia. The best idea is to go to a rescue and get 2 or more adult ferrets which will be already neutered. I keep ferrets and have had up to 15 at one time, all neutered from rescue. My latest 2 boys I've had for about a month now and cost me £15 each and again both neutered. They are nicer natured when neutered and don't stink the house out either like unneutered ones do.
Do your research first and don't get a couple without first learning how to care for them. Mine live indoors as I like to spend time with them.
Here are some useful info sites and you'll also be able to find some rescues on them too.
The National Ferret Welfare Society site - nfws

British Federation of Ferret Welfares | BFFW

[Shell195]

Originally Posted by markhill

I wanted a ferret ever since I was little and the bloke next door had some in his shed.

We've just got back from my sister-in-laws and they got a ferret a few months back but its the first time i've seen it, its bloody gawjus.

They said they can get them when ever as the person they got theirs from breeds them and can get them for free.

Basically I know pretty much nothing about them and want to know more before I get one/some.

Looking at this one I'd assume they're highly social animals and wopuld be better kept in pairs/groups but I dont want babies so would all males or all females be better?

Females need to be spayed or mated and 2 entire males are likely to fight so would need to be castrated. Why not get in touch with your local ferret rescue and get 2 that are already neutered and bonded
I'd only really want two, no more than that.

They feed theirs on dog/cat food, is that ok or are there better foods for ferrets?
A lot of people feed ferret kibble and raw meat(rabbit,chicks etc)

What sort of size cage would I be looking at for a pair of ferrets bearing in mind i'd get them out for excersise every day for an hour or so.

The bigger the better as they are really active and playful for a lot of the day

Anything else anyone can add/offer I'd be very grateful.

Thanks

Plenty of experianced people on here who will give you more complex advice. I used to have 13 ferrets in a large aviary and they are fantastic little critters

[saxon]

Well I agree two jills would need speyed unless you had a vas hob to serve them.
I've kept multiple hobs, inneutered, together without issue for many years.

Personally I think two nuetered hobs are ideal pets, from rescue, but I like my jills as well.

Hobs are lazier and more likely to enjoy being petted for longer than jills are. Jills are always on the go........unless that jill is my Sioux who happened to be alseep for over two hours in my hand at the show today!!!!!!

She's extra spesh though....

[fenwoman]

Originally Posted by saxon

Well I agree two jills would need speyed unless you had a vas hob to serve them.
I've kept multiple hobs, inneutered, together without issue for many years.

Personally I think two nuetered hobs are ideal pets, from rescue, but I like my jills as well.

Hobs are lazier and more likely to enjoy being petted for longer than jills are. Jills are always on the go........unless that jill is my Sioux who happened to be alseep for over two hours in my hand at the show today!!!!!!

She's extra spesh though....

When I had lots of ferrets, I also found the jills to be much more 'busy'. They were certainly keener hunters if I tool them ratting. I actually prefer the fat, saggy, baggy, laziness of my big lads. When I hold them in my arm like a baby and tickle their fat tummies saying "goosey goosey goosey"(no idea why I say goosey but that's the word I use when tickling tummies) in a silly voice, I swear I can see them grin while they go silly, giggling, laughing and going squirmy and shouting "stoppit or I'll pee myself" (well that's what I imagine they'd say if they could talk)
In fact even with the dogs and cats, if I make a claw and wiggle my fingers while saying "goosey goosey goosey" they go all daft and run away, only to run back again and roll over showing me their tummies hehehe.

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by markhill

I wanted a ferret ever since I was little and the bloke next door had some in his shed.

We've just got back from my sister-in-laws and they got a ferret a few months back but its the first time i've seen it, its bloody gawjus.

They said they can get them when ever as the person they got theirs from breeds them and can get them for free.

Basically I know pretty much nothing about them and want to know more before I get one/some.

Looking at this one I'd assume they're highly social animals and wopuld be better kept in pairs/groups but I dont want babies so would all males or all females be better?
I'd only really want two, no more than that.

They feed theirs on dog/cat food, is that ok or are there better foods for ferrets?

What sort of size cage would I be looking at for a pair of ferrets bearing in mind i'd get them out for excersise every day for an hour or so.

Anything else anyone can add/offer I'd be very grateful.

Thanks

Only thing I can add to what others have said is, feed a diet consisting on mostly BARF (Bones And Raw Food...practically anything apart from anything from a pig) supplemented with kibble. Kibble shouldn't make up anymore then 50% of the diet, preferably much less.

[fenwoman]

Originally Posted by LoveForLizards

Only thing I can add to what others have said is, feed a diet consisting on mostly BARF (Bones And Raw Food...practically anything apart from anything from a pig) supplemented with kibble. Kibble shouldn't make up anymore then 50% of the diet, preferably much less.

Mine get cat kibble plus raw eggs, day old chicks, plus culled rats and mice and of course culled bantam cockerels.

[markhill]

Ok, Thanks so far.

Obviously they are carnivours, can I feed them a diet mostly consisting rats?

I have rats in a rack that I breed for my snakes and always have loads in the freezer, would I need to suppliment them with dried ferret food if I can feed them to them.

[fenwoman]

Originally Posted by markhill

Ok, Thanks so far.

Obviously they are carnivours, can I feed them a diet mostly consisting rats?

I have rats in a rack that I breed for my snakes and always have loads in the freezer, would I need to suppliment them with dried ferret food if I can feed them to them.

Ideally feed something more than just rats. Mine get kibble but kibble is grain based so if I was being pedantic I'd insist on nothing but fresh whole carcase. Today mine had a whole bantam cockerel, feathers and all. It'll take them a few days to clear it all up so they won't get any kibble until it's finished. I think I'd leave kibble available all the time, but feed fresh stuff too.

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by fenwoman

Mine get cat kibble plus raw eggs, day old chicks, plus culled rats and mice and of course culled bantam cockerels.

Pretty much a perfect diet, that. Variety is the spice of life, and in general ferrets on a mostly or 100% BARF diet shine compared to those who have never seen a piece of raw in their life.

Originally Posted by markhill

Ok, Thanks so far.

Obviously they are carnivours, can I feed them a diet mostly consisting rats?

I have rats in a rack that I breed for my snakes and always have loads in the freezer, would I need to suppliment them with dried ferret food if I can feed them to them.

Yes, they can have 100% rats 4-5 days a week. Throw in a bit of rabbit, game bird, pigeon, chicken, chicks etc for the rest of the week and Bob's ye Uncle.
They don't *need* ferret food, IME it's best avoided if possible but you can give them a bowl of good quality ferret/cat food every now and then if you want. They get everything they need from whole prey.