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Post by dook2dook on Nov 3, 2011 5:28:12 GMT -5
I might be buying a hand raised kit from a lady near me this kit will cost me $100. I have some questions about hand reared kits, are they likely to develop health issues because they haven't being on their mothers milk for as long as normal kits? Can hand rasing effect them mentally? Are they more friendly than normal breeder kits? I've never heard of hand raising ferrets. Is she worth $100? I'm full of questions thanks~
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Post by lorelei0922 on Nov 3, 2011 7:35:06 GMT -5
well the kit will have undoubtably gotten enough ferret milk from her mum to get started.. as kits under 2 weeks of age very very rarely survive without mothers milk.
the kit may be more people friendly than your average as it would be well handled and use to being fed by humans etc.
i couldn't think of any mental or physical defects that would result from being hand raised either..
it really depends on what they mean by hand raising.. i would consider all of my kits hand reared.. their mothers feed them but i socialize, touch, play with and teach from day 1.... my kits leave me 90% nip and litter trained..
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Post by dook2dook on Nov 3, 2011 23:56:26 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by katt on Nov 4, 2011 0:35:26 GMT -5
This person sounds like a backyard breeder to me.... :S
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2011 0:42:30 GMT -5
I would push to find out more about the parents, a lot of people breed their ferrets as a cheep alternative to de-sexing them Why was the kit hard reared? How old is the kit now?
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Post by dook2dook on Nov 4, 2011 1:02:18 GMT -5
@ navcot the kit is fairly young not weaned yet thats what I'm waiting for now. I was about to email her asking why she is hand rearing her. @hurricanekat all ferrets around here are from back yard breeders so I can't really help that
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2011 1:23:20 GMT -5
@ navcot the kit is fairly young not weaned yet thats what I'm waiting for now. I was about to email her asking why she is hand rearing her. @hurricanekat all ferrets around here are from back yard breeders so I can't really help that Is she going to wean the kit at least before she sells it? This one sounds a bit odd to me. Some breeders are better then others. Ideally you want to find a breeder that knows the history of the parents and grandparents (tracing back at least five generations). This way they will be able to tell you any health issues they have in there lines. It's only the start of the season, take your time to find the perfect kit
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Post by dook2dook on Nov 4, 2011 4:13:32 GMT -5
yes she is weaning it I have to wait 4 weeks, The reason I would like a super friendly kit is because my mum is having a baby and I'd like to introduce my new brother or sister to fuzzies when they are old enough . I've tried searching for breeders in my area (I don't have a car) and I've only found 2. 1 is the person I'm buying the kit off, 2 lives near me, she does not worm or flea her ferrets. I doubt I can find anyone who actually traces back five generations. I'd rather have a BYB kit come to me than some person buying on impulse anyway
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Post by Heather on Nov 4, 2011 17:02:43 GMT -5
I"m not going to give you a lecture of BYB or anything. Have you been to see your wee one? Have you seen how she's kept? I'm not going to give you a song and dance about lineage (though it would be better, they're only trying to look out for you ). I've got 2 breeder fuzzes in my house. BYB ferrets, they're adorable, loves. Thor is a Waardenburgs, not good .... but he's healthy so far and he's 6 or 7 now, but dumb as a stump. Odin is my other wee one. I coudn't ask for a healthier boy so it is possible. The questions the others ask of you aren't unreasonable but the chances of you finding the answers are slim. What you need to find out though is what this person means by hand rearing. How old is your wee one? How old will she be when she's going to be coming to you? You should see how she's being kept? These things are important things. By hand rearing she may mean she's keeping the kits in her home, that is good....or it may only mean that she's doing supplemental feedings. Find out what she means. It's important with you having a new babe coming into the house. Thor cannot be trusted with children, he hates them. Odin is a love all the way around. Odin has been handled a lot, Thor probably not and during critical times during his early life he was probably left to his own devises. So ask questions, it's your right. It's your $100....you should know as much as you possibly can about how your wee one is being handled right now. It's very important. If it was just you and your mom...I wouldn't be pressuring you...but with a wee babe in the house too. I've got 2 little ones turned into me because a baby was born into the house. Boris and Natasha lost their home because of a baby. Don't feel angry with those that are asking questions that you don't have answers to, they only want you to be happy with your newest wee one. See what answers you can find. Ask, this person who holds your kit, she should answer your questions or tell you she can't answer (especially about the wee ones heritage). There is no harm in asking, and if she gets upset...walk away. There will be others trust me ciao
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Post by dook2dook on Nov 4, 2011 17:57:48 GMT -5
I'm not getting angry at all lol, She has emailed me back telling me all the info. The kit will be 8 weeks old when she comes to me fully weaned. The breeder is actaully feeding her the milk because the kits mother lost her milk. I'd never get rid of Salem and my mum knows that. Don't worry I've being asking plenty of questions
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Post by crazylady on Nov 4, 2011 18:04:49 GMT -5
Hi can I also add to heather post if she is hand reared by a human you want to know why ? ( lack of milk from mom ect ) does she have any contact with mom ? mom ferrets aren't just there as a milk bar they teach there babies how to behave like babies ( they discipline them ( what is allowed and what's not ) teach them how to use a litter tray ( moms are very strict in this respect and wont have babies pooping all over the place ) they also teach them the art of playing and how to feel secure ( so they wont scream be timid or freak out ) I would ask the import question of why is she being hand reared ? and if possible go take a look if she is a good breeder with nothing to hide the breeder should welcome you as they need to know the baby is going to a good and loving home and anyone asking me a a 1,000 questions would be placed higher on my list than someone who showed no interest and just said ok phone me when its ready to go just my two penny's worth take care bye for now Bev
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Post by Heather on Nov 4, 2011 20:42:48 GMT -5
I'm glad that you have contact and are asking questions. Bev's right. I'm rather horrible with the whole questions thing. When I bought my dog, I had already researched the dog, so then it became could I work with the breeder. See, the breeder is a very important aspect of the equation, for some breeders it's just getting that next show animal, the rest of the litter is sold off with little care. That's not the type of breeder you want to deal with. Any breeder worth anything will stay in contact with you for the rest of the wee one's life. I was in contact with my breeder for almost 18 months before I got my dog. I asked so many questions...but she was ok with it (if she hadn't been I probably wouldn't have got the puppy from her). Every year we meet up spend the day together, she fusses over the pup and we discuss dogs. At any time I can call her and ask her advice. A breeder who cares isn't going to mind a whole mess of questions. I used to make up a list and then email them to her She would answer them one by one. The bonus...I know where I'm going to get my next dog when the time comes;) Ferrets, cats they're not any different. People sometimes spend more thought into what they're going to have for breakfast than the time they put into buying their next furchild who's going to be around a lot longer than breakfast ;D Good luck...remember...we charge for advice here .....photos, lots and lots of baby ferret photos....we're a greedy lot when it come to that ciao
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Post by dook2dook on Nov 5, 2011 2:07:10 GMT -5
I just found out this kit isn't being kept with its mother. I'm re thinking my decsion I found another lot of kits for sale that seem...... Better lol
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Post by dook2dook on Dec 4, 2011 3:11:56 GMT -5
I just had an agrumen with this woman she is now TAKING the kits from the nest she is bottle feeding six
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2011 4:01:29 GMT -5
She's selling her kits at 8 weeks? And they're not with their mothers even though they are being hand reared/weaned? hand reared or not I do believe that kits should be with their mothers until at least 12 weeks old so mumma fuzz can teach her babies everything they need.
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