|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 16:07:23 GMT -5
I hadn't heard of him but I plan to educate myself Do you guys have any good resources for ferret behavior and training? I've seen the forums posts about basic litter, leash, and food training and I've seen the trained ferret on youtube but I'm interested in their psychology. I was really PO'ed to learn ferreting is illegal in the US (tell me I'm wrong!) because that's something I'd like to learn. They must be really trained with recall and such
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 16:12:40 GMT -5
I hadn't heard of him but I plan to educate myself Do you guys have any good resources for ferret behavior and training? I've seen the forums posts about basic litter, leash, and food training and I've seen the trained ferret on youtube but I'm interested in their psychology. I was really PO'ed to learn ferreting is illegal in the US (tell me I'm wrong!) because that's something I'd like to learn. They must be really trained with recall and such As far I as know it's illegal to go ferreting in the US or at least in most parts anyway but it isn't over here in the UK so I take Nancy and Whisper ferreting during the winter
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 16:14:40 GMT -5
I'm jelly! How do you train them with recall outside? A little treat would be nothing to a curious ferret who just wants to explore
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 16:22:00 GMT -5
I'm jelly! How do you train them with recall outside? A little treat would be nothing to a curious ferret who just wants to explore Most if the time, they aren't trained to come back to their names as we use ferret locators that can reach 16 feet underground so we have little chance of loosing them though some people still do. I'm working on trainig them recall, Whisper is learning pretty quickly and Nancy has selective hearing so she quite ignorant and refuses to be taught her name. They say that it isn't possible to train a ferret to hunt, they'll either work or won't but Whisper didn't go last year so I've been training her using inactive rabbit burrows and took her out for her first actual hunt last weekend and she did really well so it is possible to train them to hunt If you want to find out more about her first hunt then you can find out what happened on my thread called 'Ferrety weekend'
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 17:12:39 GMT -5
Yes yes! Both Poncesmom and I love to research. I loved it so much that I exhausted Poncesmom's exam questions (Big achievement!) I actually started a blog because I enjoy my research so much that I have to write things, gather information in one place etc. The HFF website is new and is super easy to navigate and also contains a lot of information. That's worth a check out. ^^ holisticferretforum.comAs for my blog, its not very active post wise at the moment, but If you want to have a look there also feel free to do so. I have a list of useful sites in my sidebar. (I kind of stalk vet blogs in my spare time because... research!) The HFF website also lists some useful sites as well. I'm very into ferret behaviour. My favourite subjects are actually toxicology at the moment. I went and made a thread on it. (http://holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/19461/ingredients-good-bad-toxic) I'm always reading these books and random journal entries I gather up on random subjects. I am on another forum called Vetelib, thats basically where I collect my journals from (giggle-snort) I think I have some ferret journals on behaviour somewhere. I will see what I can do. There's a book I started reading a while ago called A tao full of detours: The behavior of the domestic ferret. It talks about a wide variety of subjects including the incredible Polecat. www.lulu.com/shop/f-shimbo/the-behavior-of-the-domestic-ferret/ebook/product-17514781.htmlAt the moment I'm getting more into Obligate carnivores in general, (Cats, ferrets, etc), especially what makes them unique compared to just carnivores. Oh here's my blog: hakibeferret.net
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 17:13:32 GMT -5
I hadn't heard of him but I plan to educate myself Do you guys have any good resources for ferret behavior and training? I've seen the forums posts about basic litter, leash, and food training and I've seen the trained ferret on youtube but I'm interested in their psychology. I was really PO'ed to learn ferreting is illegal in the US (tell me I'm wrong!) because that's something I'd like to learn. They must be really trained with recall and such The best way to search the forum for information on things like training is to use your search browser and type in Holistic Ferret Forum litter training (as an example). That will bring up all kinds of threads and you can look at them for the info you want. Here is a link to the Litter box boot camp: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/108/litter-box-boot-campLeash training (practice inside first) holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/109/halter-leash-trainingholisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/109/halter-leash-trainingI'm not sure what you are looking for under Food Training. Do you mean teaching a ferret who has imprinted on kibble to go raw or teaching them tricks using food as a reward? As for hunting with Ferrets in the States, it is still mostly illegal but I believe that some states will allow hunting for rats with the proper permit. Rats are fierce though and I would never consider it. They could really harm a Ferret. A Ferret should never be offered a live rat if feeding Whole Prey. I'm not sure enough about the laws so don't quote me on that. Check with your state first. There are several good books on hunting with Ferrets. One was written by Adolph Issacsen in 1886. He lived in New York and ran a pest control service to eliminate rats. The other one is Ferrets & Hunting written by Iain Brodie in the 1978 but was written in England. They are oldies but goodies and a fun read. I found one on Amazon and one at a library sale. You might find them on Google.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 17:18:11 GMT -5
If you're wanting a book on ferreting then the best ones I've read and recommend are the ones written by Simon Whitehead, he's a well known English ferreter and works in pest control so has experience with both hunting rabbits and rats
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 19:11:04 GMT -5
I've got lots of homework now and I'm happy for it
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 10:06:48 GMT -5
So I know it's normal for ferrets to decrease eating and lose weight for spring but it's still winter. My guys had been eating about 6oz a day but have decreased to only 4oz a day between them! They seem to be eating equal amounts, have high energy, and are very alert. Should I be worried? They've been eating this decreased amount for 2wks now
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 10:29:28 GMT -5
They may have reached a point where they feel full from getting their nutrients that the kibble lacked. They are young though and I would make a point of working a little more with them and trying for a few more bites. You brought them home in November and it's February. The pictures you posted in the beginning of the month had them at 5 and 6 months. Is that their current age or are they older now?
Are you leaving the food out for them?
I don't know your location but spring seems to be coming early and that will also mean a decrease in appetite. Boys eat more than girls and girls can eat so little that it scares you.
If their energy levels are good and their poops are healthy then you shouldn't worry too much but keep an eye out and watch how much they eat.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 11:56:05 GMT -5
Perfectly normal! Ferrets always seem to eat a lot during the start of a switch. They may lose some weight, and gain some muscle. Once they get all the nutrients balanced, they tend to cut back on how much they eat. Ferrets will eat what they need and what their little bodies will use. The high energy is telling you that they are making good use of all the nutrient in their new meals.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2016 12:19:03 GMT -5
So I know it's normal for ferrets to decrease eating and lose weight for spring but it's still winter. My guys had been eating about 6oz a day but have decreased to only 4oz a day between them! They seem to be eating equal amounts, have high energy, and are very alert. Should I be worried? They've been eating this decreased amount for 2wks now It's perfectly normal for them to start to lose weight not long before spring since ferrets have seasonal changes due to light levels, it's still winter where I am and Vinnie is starting to lose a little bit of weight, my grandads ferret Jimmy is already in rut and is singing the hob song.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2016 23:53:43 GMT -5
Must Google "hob song" lol
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 5:58:00 GMT -5
Must Google "hob song" lol Here's Vinnie and his hob song, he's a very vocal boy
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2016 11:38:13 GMT -5
@frolickingferrets Those videos are darling. Juliet makes noises all the time and sounds alot like that. She's my most vocal one and her dooks often sound like honks. She's camera shy though and I just can't catch her honking on camera.
|
|