Ferrets

[nickinik]

we have just acquired 2 jills approx 6mths old how long will it take to stop them from biting when we pick them up

[kirstyvw]

Hi nickinik
In my experience it depends. We got our hob when he was much younger than yours and he stopped biting when he was about 6 months old. Our jill came to us at about 5 months and she is just starting to stop biting now - she's now about 9 months old.
But - this has mainly been down to a lot of interaction, handling etc (and quite a few bites along the way!)
Of course, they still play bite when they want us to play with them but are much gentler than when we first had them!
Good luck!

[RATTER15]

They should never bite to draw blood!! but can get a bit carried away sometimes when playing. I kept up to 46 ferrets at one time, also carried out ferret rescue, and judged many ferret shows far and wide. I only got badly bitten once.

Ferrets do need to be handled regularly and they love human interaction, more fun than any kitten.

Feed them on fresh meat but not pork or a proprietary ferret food, always feed your ferrets before working them.
And never ever handle ferrets with thick gloves, that's the way to get bitten fast!!

[kirstyvw]

Wow Ratter15! 46 ferrets must have kept you busy!
Our 2 keep me and my boyfriend plenty busy so don't know what 46 would be like!

[RATTER15]

They weren't really a lot of work, but lots of fun, the whole family were involved as we used to show them as well, they mostly came from rescue situations.

[nickinik]

thanx for the answers but they are going to be pets not for working will that make a difference and should we get a hob that has been eutered or will they be ok?

[RATTER15]

They all make great pets, a vasectomized hob would be a better idea, as your jills would be better for being mated as they are prone to piometra if not mated. A neutered male is unlikely to mate them.

[clair3934]

Are your jills spayed yet if not I suggest you do it, if you don't they will not come out of season until mated which can cause aplastic aneamia you should get them done soon if they are 6 months old this will also stop the piometra as there will be nothing to get infected. I have 3 Jills theyre all spayed and yes I have been nipped but not badly by the 2 younger ones they came from the dogs home unlike my older one who I got from a breader at a much younger age so never bit me, you just need patiance and handle them loads they will soon grow out of it.
Ratter15 is right though they are much more fun than a cat but they do play well together I have a dog and cat as well they all bomb around the house togther its funny to watch,
Also mine don't eat fresh meat although the dog and cat do mine are on James well beloved dry diet we also give them raisins and other bits of fruit and kitten milk which they go mad for

[nickinik]

hi Claire thanks very much for our answer we have a cat an dog but the dog doesnt like them at all and they dont like the dog we are hoping that in time they will get used to each other.I have them outta their cage several times a day and let them run around the kitchen,trying to catch them is a completly different story as every time u go to pick them up they bite im still looking for the ferretone and bitter apple spray as I dont know where to find it in Norwich.

[RATTER15]

Nickinic, if you are having problems with being bitten like that, they have either not been handled properly or mistreated.

Try shutting yourself in your lounge with no other pets around and just let them explore you at their will, do not grab them, you must always pick up ferrets slowly and gently or they will bite.

I assume you know how to hold a ferret correctly, if not look it up on the net or get back to me, the correct hold is very important! it is more comfortable for your ferret and the ferret will not be able to bite you.

Don't give up on them, just be patient, you wont regret it.

[nickinik]

hi Ratter15
I tried that yesterday in the kitchen and again today,I have looked up on the net and in a cpl of books we bought on how to pick them up.When I feed them I let them sniff my hands in the cage then fill their food bowl.I am determined that I will tame them as they were in a shed with 15 other ferrets and 3 very excitable children all saying that they bite and they were I think only picked up and put down never played with or had any indoor interaction,I just hope its not 2 late 2 train them not 2 bite.

[RATTER15]

Don't give up on them, they will come round, they love being handled, just pick them up slowly and hold them loosely and keep stoking them, always keep them away from your face though. once they trust you to be gentle with them they will run too you to pick them up. Try lying on the floor with them and stroke them all the time, just remember to be careful of your face, if one latches on your lip in your in trouble.

Should one ever gets its teeth into you, (happened to me once, my fault) it may not want to let go immediately, never let the ferret dangle or it will bite harder to prevent itself from falling, rest the ferret on the floor and be quite, it should then let go.