Ok so i have had to come home twice recently to find a ferret dead each time!

The story goes...we were sold two ferrets as being 7 weeks old and was told they were eating dry ferret food...so we picked them up and i went and got the SAME food the breeder had.

He told us he was feeding them once a day at about 5-6 oclock so we stuck to this so as not to upset the routine...especially as we had only just got them!!

2 days later the smaller of the 2 ferrets was dead

We then asked a friend for some advice who told us (without seeing them) they may still be 2 small for simply dry food and to try an expensive/decent kitten food. In a panic this is what we did and went and bought the best Iams kitten food we could find.

We then went on to feed the one ferret a mix of crushed ferret food along with the new kitten food.

During this time we saw a friend who used to breed ferrets regular and he said that the ones we had wernt even close to 6 weeks, let alone 7 (how true this is mind i dont know).

Anyway, one week down the line and the second ferret is dead.

Now...please feel free to have a go if i have done something wrong coz i really need to know. However, if we have done something wrong it is not through meaning to!!

Also, they were kept in the spare room in a new double hutch, warm bedding, covered the floor with lino (i was checking and none was eaten/knawed at) and sawdust (not too fine). Fresh water at all times...

...thats about it. So please any suggestions as to what might have gone wrong??

ps. sorry for the long post.

__________________
0.0.1 Chinese Water Dragon
1.0.0 Royal Python
0.1.0 Salmon Boa
0.2.0 Leo's
0.0.5 T's (B.Vagans, P.Murinus, G.Rosea, P.Metallica, T.Blondi, C.Cyaneopubescens)
0.4.0 Rats
1.1.0 Ferrets
0.0.1 Gold Fish

awww what a shame! the only thing i can think of is that they had a long term disease and it killed them there and then

__________________
ANDY B 1

Taken the place of Tops in his absence
Ñ Ç

What ive got0.1.0 '07 Amel corn snake2.1.0 Hermanns Tortoises2.3.0 Cats0.2.0 Guinea pigs

Did you post pictures of a pair of young ferrets in a box? Maybe even a video of two wee ferrets in a box? I have a sneaky feeling I was suspicious of the age when I seen them (if you were that person).

Ferrets a couple months old can handle dry but watered down slightly. Certain bowls can let out deposits that are toxic to any young animal. What food bowls/tubs were you using? Kitten food would have been the way to go. I never seperate any of my kits until they have been weaned a few weeks and are beginning to pester the jills in the same hutch. The lino, I feel might have something to do with it. I understand its good to have something you can lift out, easier to clean. But Lino is easy to shred. It's coating may have been harmful.

I'm sorry for both your losses.

__________________

If they were really young babies, a lot of people sell them far too young, they would have needed wet food or fresh meat.
They would have benefitted from watered down goats milk as well.
When I worked with rescues and we ended up with kits we never re-homed young until they were at least 10 weeks old. They really need their mothers milk a lot longer than the average kitten or puppy.
Sthey could have had a genetic problem or illness prior to you getting them but I would assume it is simply the fact they were too young to leave their mother.
Don't beat yourself up about it, it happens, if the breeder told you lies then it isn't your fault.
When you go to get yourself some more babies take a look at the mother and if her teats are dry then the young are likely to be old enough to leave her.
Ferrets, especially babies, can be very delicate.
I would advise trying a local 'ferret' rescue as they are more likely to be honest about ages and such. Also they will be able to help with neutering at a later date.
If you google 'ferret rescues' there are quite a few around the country.
I used lino under the wood shavings for mine for years and never had a problem. I think these too have died because of an unscrupulous breeder who was more interested in a couple of pounds in his pocket than the welfare of the kits.

I've just looked up the pic you have on of one of them. I would say, even if this is from a very small line, that that kit is only around 5 weeks if that. I have had smaller 5 week olds but they were from exceptionally small parents.

__________________
Sax

Got too many to mention!!!!!!

Stupidity is no excuse for bad behaviour.
I know many stupid people that don't behave badly!!!!!