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Post by lumboo on May 21, 2021 1:17:23 GMT -5
Hi everyone
I'm new to ferrets, and am finding information before getting my boys in August
I am thinking of an outdoor 6ft double storey rabbit hutch for their sleeping quarters. They'll be brought indoors for playtime or in our enclosed garden
I was just wondering how you clean the hutch in the rain and wind whilst battling the escape artists?
How do you stop bedding getting wet before you've changed it? Do you just get wet whilst cleaning out the litter tray?
Just wondering if I'm missing a great technique
More importantly,I'm wondering if having them indoors is better 🤔
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Post by unclejoe on May 21, 2021 16:13:35 GMT -5
Hi, lumboo and welcome to the group. I'm guessing you are in UK? Nearly everyone in the US keeps their ferrets indoors. It takes some effort to ferret-proof their living area, to litter train and clean up after them, but you'll likely bond better and spend more time with them. We clean litter boxes once a day (for 2 ferrets). We have puppy pads in various corners in the house and change them as needed. For some reason most of my many ferrets disagreed with using a litter box outside of the cage, but puppy pads are ok...  All that said, I know that many UK ferreters have outdoor enclosures with no reported issues. I personally wouldn't want the task of cleaning a hutch in the rain. You don't necessarily need to do it daily. You can use old clothing for bedding and a litter box so thy don't soil the bedding. |
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Post by lumboo on May 22, 2021 5:30:52 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I'm in the UK  The breeder I am buying from keeps his ferrets outdoors and he has given advice on how best to interact with them. My garden is cat proofed already, but we are getting down to ferret level (and logic) and ferret proofing as well. Luckily all our fences are dug down into the ground already, so only the gate needs additional wiring to ensure no escapees Indoor ferret proofing is proving harder because everything seems like a hazzard! So for now, the kitchen, hallway and bathroom will be their play area, as they are secure with child locks and no access under appliances. I will brave the rain to clean their hutch - which is actually 3 storey and 6ft. I should be used to the rain by now anyway lol I guess I will keep their clean bedding in a plastic bag, ready for the quick swap......or just wait for a break in the rain Thanks again for your lovely welcome. I will be asking a lot more questions I'm sure |
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Post by lumboo on May 22, 2021 5:32:52 GMT -5
Oh, and the other reason I decided to keep the ferrets outdoors is because they tend to prefer cooler climates.
In winter, we tend to have radiators on blazing heat, and I thought that would be terrible for the little dudes. This way, they stay cosy, but in their preferred temperature range
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Post by Charlie on May 24, 2021 19:44:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!! Do you have a raincoat for when you go to clean the hutch? That may help keep you dry. |
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on May 25, 2021 4:01:19 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the forum so glad you joined us!
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Post by lumboo on May 25, 2021 15:26:48 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!! Do you have a raincoat for when you go to clean the hutch? That may help keep you dry. I live in the UK - I DEFINITELY own a rain coat and wellies lol I'm very glad to have joined this forum too. I absolutely love everyone's creativity with the cages, runs and toys. I can't wait to share images of my set up when it's finished |
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Post by unclejoe on May 25, 2021 19:13:55 GMT -5
Why, does it rain there much?  |
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Post by lumboo on May 26, 2021 8:48:35 GMT -5
Why, does it rain there much? Well, I squirted my kids with shower gel and shoved them in the garden yesterday evening - shower time sorted!!  And yet we still have hose pipes bans in the Summer??!!!  That is British efficiency for you! Was sent a video of our kits yesterday. Only two weeks old at the moment - they are so cute. My daughter (who's ferrets they are going to be) was smiling all evening. Can't wait to get them - but I feel like there is a lot to prepare for. |
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Post by unclejoe on May 26, 2021 21:41:44 GMT -5
does anything government does make sense? When I was a rocket mechanic I spent some time in the "great" state of kalifornia. They used municipal water to for pad washdown/acoustic suppression, but had to capture as much as they could and treat it with vitamin c and other substances before releasing it back into the environment because of the chlorine. Safe to drink, but not safe for nature?
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Post by Charlie on May 27, 2021 19:12:53 GMT -5
We are looking forward to seeing your kits when you get them as well as seeing their hutch you have for them!
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Post by unclejoe on May 27, 2021 21:24:40 GMT -5
We are looking forward to seeing your kits when you get them as well as seeing their hutch you have for them! Absolutely!! We love babies!! |
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Post by lumboo on May 28, 2021 5:23:06 GMT -5
 This is the hutch that's being custom-made for me. It has ramps that can be closed so each section can be contained if needed, for easy cleaning etc and the locks and hinges are upgraded so they're a more ferret compliant!! I will be lining it with vinyl to allow for mess to be cleaned easily, and have a whole bunch of tunnels, bedding and hammocks to be fixed into it. Tunnels may be used on the ramps to make it more fun. It will be delivered mid July, so I have time to fit it out prior to kits arrival In the meantime the garden is getting the last few ferret proofing touches too as effectively our garden is their ferret run, as its small and contained, with cat/ferret safe plants. The final touches to get done is a tunnel system under the decking, perspex on the fencing and wire netting and perspex at the base of the wooden gate Who would have thought such small creatures needed so much prep!! Lol 😆 |
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Post by unclejoe on May 28, 2021 11:38:31 GMT -5
They are some work but yours will have a lovely world to live in.
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Post by Charlie on May 29, 2021 13:30:32 GMT -5
Wow that will be amazing!!!
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