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Post by rosdez31 on Jan 3, 2020 3:06:35 GMT -5
They say be careful what you wish for... I wished for a rescue ferret have 3. Planning on rehoming 2 but they are so d*mn cute! All you big business ferrents tell me what does ferret math look like in a action is 4 ferrets 4 times the work 40 times the work or one fourth?
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cockneyferret
Adolescent Member
Raw and Whole Prey Feeder
Posts: 253
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Post by cockneyferret on Jan 3, 2020 4:11:32 GMT -5
Well I was the good child, wanted two girls and got two girls. I wouldn't say that two is any harder than one, but I'd rather expect to see the workload increase non linearly as numbers grow.
My guess (which is just a guess) would be that the work involved would jump in bands rather than add one ferret equals this much more.
Workload in animal husbandry is also extremely individual, so one person may think that 10 ferrets is 10 times harder than one ferret, but another keeper may find ten just as easy to look after.
One issue that I have come across is the financial increase, which is a lot more linear.
To give an example: one of our girls came into her first season, so I took her to the vet for a jill jab. Cost was £45. Not more than a week later our other ferret followed, and again another £45. If they'd both shown signs of being in season together it would of cost a total of £60 and not £90.
Buying food in bulk is the only major saving, but remember that you have to sort it all, cut it up, bag it etc. My first order online arrived and it took me 11 hours to process it all...
Needless to say that I order more often and in smaller quantities now.
Cheers
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Post by unclejoe on Jan 3, 2020 20:29:36 GMT -5
4 nuff said. I've had 9 at once, and they were all healthy. NOw I have 3 that are over 7 years old, and it's a matter of time...
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Post by Charlie on Jan 3, 2020 23:28:03 GMT -5
I have 1 ferret but had 2 at one point when I was caring for my sister's ferret while she was away. Since she lives a couple hours away I had her ferret for a few months before she finally picked her up.
I found that one ferret is easy to care for but with 2 ferrets there's more work because they were both in separate cages. so twice the work to clean 2 cages then 1. If they were together then it's only 1 cage to clean.
I'm use to having to only feed 1 ferret raw but with 2 ferrets, food went faster!
When ferrets are young there isn't as many vet visits but as they age, keep in mind that means more vet visits and bigger bills.
It comes down to time and finances. Do you have the time and do you have the finances to care for more ferrets?
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Post by rosdez31 on Jan 4, 2020 0:12:00 GMT -5
Thanks the reminder on vet bills is all I need to not keep all 3 fosters. But they are so darn cute
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Post by Charlie on Jan 4, 2020 0:22:26 GMT -5
Thanks the reminder on vet bills is all I need to not keep all 3 fosters. But they are so darn cute They are so darn cute!!! Sometimes I think I want another one but then I think, do I really want to? I love the bond I have with my ferret and that could change if I got another one. He gets lots of play time with me so I'm not worried about him being lonely, He is well loved!!
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Post by rosdez31 on Jan 4, 2020 1:11:57 GMT -5
I do worry that Rikki won't get enough attention or free roaming time if I keep them all. I'm also super lucky with his behavior, and from what I've read on this forum he's an unusually well behaved ferret So I could be in for some surprises with more.
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Post by Charlie on Jan 4, 2020 1:46:16 GMT -5
I do worry that Rikki won't get enough attention or free roaming time if I keep them all. I'm also super lucky with his behavior, and from what I've read on this forum he's an unusually well behaved ferret So I could be in for some surprises with more. Charlie is the same and very well behaved like your Rikki!! Love Rikki's name and how it's spelled too! I did keep my sister's ferret for a short time so Charlie did have a play mate but I did keep their sleeping arrangements separate. When they came out for play time they played together. I kept the sleeping arrangements separate as Charlie didn't seem too keen to have a bed mate, although over time I'm sure they would have. I didn't want hime to get too use to her as she would be going back home.
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Post by rosdez31 on Jan 4, 2020 2:07:26 GMT -5
Rikki's full name is Rikki tikki tavi after the mongoose In the jungle book he doesn't appear in any of the movies but there is a great animated version of his story. Kid friendly but intense. I'm a dezi though so I love that I have a little Rikki. I'm hoping to integrate they whole group then rehome the 2 other fosters (rascal and mischief) to make the transition easy on Dharma who is too perfect for any other name 😊
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Post by Charlie on Jan 4, 2020 12:39:44 GMT -5
Rikki's full name is Rikki tikki tavi after the mongoose In the jungle book he doesn't appear in any of the movies but there is a great animated version of his story. Kid friendly but intense. I'm a dezi though so I love that I have a little Rikki. I'm hoping to integrate they whole group then rehome the 2 other fosters (rascal and mischief) to make the transition easy on Dharma who is too perfect for any other name 😊 That's so cute!! Just take your time integrating them. If there are a couple that don't work, don't force it, sometimes you will get some that never work or they take even longer. Hopefully Rikki and Dharma will get along great though since you are keeping her.
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Post by bree313 on Jan 5, 2020 19:58:46 GMT -5
I have 5 girls all about a year old. They are all free roaming children except for the human's sleeping hours.
I started with 1 (who needed a friend) I let her choose her friend from a rescue organisation and she liked 2 (litter mates who were bonded) so then I was up to 3 ferrets. I then found 2 girls who needed rescuing so then I was up to 5. Now there's a boy about a year old who needs rescuing (he's living in a wire floored mouse cage by himself and is skinny and filthy) so I'm trying to talk myself out of that.
The food cost is significantly larger (especially for whole prey) for 5 The vet costs are higher, this year I'll be getting implants for everyone to prevent adrenal problems, + yearly vaccinations + any other health issues that may arise/are ongoing There is ALOT more poop. So much poop. In saying that, if they're litter trained then its still the same amount of work cleaning the litter trays/puppy pads each day anyway. Same with cage cleaning.
I do find that nail trimming is significantly harder with 5. I do the oil on the tum trick but it doesn't last very long when you have 4 "helpers" cleaning the tum hahaha
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Post by caitmonster on Jan 5, 2020 22:46:45 GMT -5
I do find that nail trimming is significantly harder with 5. I do the oil on the tum trick but it doesn't last very long when you have 4 "helpers" cleaning the tum hahaha Too funny!
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Post by rosdez31 on Jan 6, 2020 1:15:31 GMT -5
Oh gosh that poor boy though...
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cockneyferret
Adolescent Member
Raw and Whole Prey Feeder
Posts: 253
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Post by cockneyferret on Jan 6, 2020 3:47:31 GMT -5
One of the toughest decisions you'll ever need to make as a responsible keeper is saying no when an animal clearly needs help.
I have seen many people take on too many animals and not be able to cope, so we must weight up the impact on both ourselves, our loved ones, and other animals already within the household.
Cheers
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Post by njcrouth on Jan 6, 2020 10:14:13 GMT -5
4 is my limit. The poop! Sooooo much poop! And the vet bills and trips and making up food and trying to keep everyone with their individual interests entertained. 2 or 3 is a good number.
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