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Post by ferretsgoboom on Nov 9, 2011 18:51:39 GMT -5
hello! my birthday is coming up (dec. 11) and im looking for a ferret breeder in The Houston Area to buy a precious birthday kit from! this is my first time buying from a breeder so i have a few questions - How much do breeder kits cost?
- how old is the youngest they are sold?
- would it be okay to have a kit un-neutered or should they be neutered?
also if you are or know anyone who is breeeding ferrets in houston please let me know!!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2011 19:25:09 GMT -5
I bought from a breeder earlier this year so I could share my experience (even if it was only 1 time, some here have bought from breeders many times or are breeders themselves ) First of all are we talking about breeders in the USA? I will assume we are. I know things are different in other countries, sometimes ferret breeders are so common and ferrets are so easy to get and cheap. Anyway... about USA... When I was shopping around before, none of the well-respected breeders sold their kits for less than $200, in fact I think most of the well known breeders were charging $300 to $500 per kit. Well worth it IMO... a bargain from a backyard breeder or a breeder not concerned with health is no bargain. Even with a ferret from a good breeder, there is always a chance it will get sick or something, but at least you can try to minimize the odds. Buying from a breeder that doesn't care about long-term health and inbreeds or something will cost you more money in the long run. Just to give you some price examples (and these prices might not be current), back when I was shopping around, GFX was charging about $350 base price, Ferretown USA (where I bought from) was charging around $250 base price (extra if you wanted first pick), and Mi Corazon was charging $350 to $450 depending on the kit. One pattern I saw was that the breeders who were having a lot of success in the show arena tended to charge more, which makes sense. If you are looking for a pet who won't be bred and probably won't even be showed, your criteria might be different than someone looking to add to their show breeding program though For example, in my case, I ended up picking a hob who did not have the best coloring in terms of what would do well in shows - Nancy warned me about it, but I picked him anyway because he seemed to have a really good temperament, and his bone structure very good. I was willing to sacrifice in the show department to get what I thought seemed like a good healthy and fun pet, which ultimately is what he is, he is primarily my buddy Having said that, I would not ignore the breeder's show history, because many of the things ferrets score points for in shows are things you should care about. Things like bone structure, temperament, coat quality, and I'm sure many other things I don't know about, go into the score a ferret receives. There is a reason show-winning lines sell for more. It's something where you have to weigh your options and make an informed decision about what is important to you in this ferret. As for how old they are sold, my understanding is that it's best for the kit to stay with momma until it's 10 to 12 weeks old, but some breeders will let them go around 8 weeks. I don't know as much about this aspect, maybe one of the breeders here can chime in on what age is best. I know everyone wants to get a young baby, but honestly, if I was you, I would want the baby to stay with its momma long enough to get the best health and behavioral advantages. The thing you gotta realize is, the longer the kit stays with momma, the more well-adjusted and well-behaved it will be when you get it. Momma and siblings help teach behavior, and litterbox habits. My boy Finn was able to stay with his momma and siblings longer than usual (around 14 weeks I think) and he has never had an accident yet (fingers crossed), his litterbox training is very strong. As for neutering, most GOOD breeders will sell you the kit intact but require you to sign a contract saying you will spay or neuter them when they get older, because #1, they know it's not healthy to spay and neuter them as babies, and #2 they don't want you using them for backyard breeding, or in the case of a jill, letting they stay intact and then get anemia from being stuck in season. Now that Deslorelin is an option people are exploring and it's showing promise, some breeders will allow you to sign an agreement saying you will either spay or neuter them once they are old enough (8 to 12 months usually) OR get them the Deslorelin implant, OR, some will just let you sign an agreement that you won't breed the ferret without the breeder's permission (in case you want to keep a male intact forever). Just my 2 cents! Hope it's helpful! If I was you I would look for a breeder that will not allow the kits to be separated from Mom any earlier than 8 weeks, allows you to sign an agreement not to breed the ferret or get it sterilized either surgically or with Deslorelin, AND that will not adopt to you without finding out more about you to see if you would provide a suitable home, AND that has a clause in the agreement that if you ever decide to get rid of the ferret, you can return it to the breeder, so it never will be abandoned. I would also look for a breeder who has some documentation of the ferret's ancestry and their health records, whether there is any family occurance of genetic illnesses, etc. And for heaven's sake pick a breeder who handles the babies a lot! Otherwise your kit may not be such a great pet ;D
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Post by ferretsgoboom on Nov 9, 2011 21:15:41 GMT -5
thank you for replying! you answered all of my questions!! now all i have to do is find a breeder
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Post by Heather on Nov 9, 2011 21:24:09 GMT -5
Well said Mikey.....words of experience ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2011 21:50:30 GMT -5
Well said Mikey ;D The closest breeder to us is Joan (she's on the forum if you want to PM her), but she only sells to experienced owners. Also, good breeders will want to develop a relationship/keep in contact with you for the duration of the ferrets life and will answer ANY questions you might have. Anyways, keep us posted!
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Post by ferretsgoboom on Nov 10, 2011 0:39:50 GMT -5
experienced? ah well i guess i could get one at a shelter or petco maybe thank you guys!!!
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Post by Heather on Nov 10, 2011 2:55:13 GMT -5
I'm not going to discourage you from a shelter fuzz...all wee ones deserve a good home and these little ones deserve a loving home. A second chance is always appreciated, but could I suggest you consider your search for a breeder fuzz before going to Petco. Joan has gorgeous fuzzes but they do need to go to experienced ferrants. Her little ones are the product of special selection and aren't for the faint of heart There has to be other breeders in your area though. I'm not going to give you grief about buying a petstore ferret because every little one deserves a home and they didn't ask to be born into a farm but by buying at a petstore you support ferret farms. That's all I"m going to say about the matter....stepped off my soapbox Please when you finally get your wee one, please post pics so we can admire your birthday present ;D ;D ciao
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Post by ferretsgoboom on Nov 10, 2011 16:41:14 GMT -5
what do you guys think about Carolina Ferrets??? i was looking at the website! im just worried about the shipping :/
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Post by Sherry on Nov 10, 2011 17:12:21 GMT -5
I hate to say it- but Carolina ferrets is absolutely no different than buying from any other mill She's just a smaller scale one.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2011 17:48:24 GMT -5
I agree with Sherry. Let's set aside the issue of angoras for a moment (and let me tell you, that is a can of worms!) Let's just assume for a moment that there is no problem with angoras at all. I'm not saying I believe this, but hypothetically, let's put that case.
I still would have issues with Carolina Ferrets because, if you read through their site, you will see that they kind of dance around this issue, but it's pretty clear that they will sell you a kit at 6 to 8 weeks of age, already spayed or neutered, and descented if you request it. That, to me, is reason enough to look to a different breeder. We have already discussed the fact that spaying and neutering at this age is not in the best interest of the ferret, and descenting definitely doesn't need to be done at all. Most respected breeders will NOT spay or neuter this young, even if you ask them to, and will even try to make sure you don't have it done yourself that early, plus most respected breeders won't descent at all. The fact that they are willing to do this is enough reason for me to look for a different breeder. To me this makes them no better than the big mills like Marshall. In fact if I was going to go with that kind of breeder, I would rather go with Marshall because they are a bigger operation and almost certainly have more genetic diversity in their breeding lines anyway. At least it's "the devil you know" with them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2011 20:30:13 GMT -5
>all i have to do is find a breeder
Choosing a ferret breeder is a matter of research, common sense, and knowing about ferrets before choosing a breeder. You want selected a breeder who goals is to improve on health and temperament of a ferret.
I hope this guideline help you select a responsible breeder that is concerned with the betterment of the breed. Here is a list of questions you can ask your potential breeder. You will be able to choose a ferret breeder with confidence, and you'll be on your way to enjoying your new ferret.
*Compile a short list of potential breeders you would like to interview.
*Have you made a checklist of the characteristics you're looking for?
*Interview the Breeders. A quality breeder should be happy to answer all your questions. While you're in the process of finding the right breeder to supply you with the newest member of your family. That breeder should feel as strongly about the well being of your ferret as you do.
*How long have you been breeding ferrets? Do you show? Why or why not? You want someone who has breeding ferret long enough to know what they are doing.
*How large is your breeding operation? Where do your ferrets spend most of their time?
Are the kits raised in the house, how often are they handled, have they been socialized daily on an individual basis?
Are they used to being handled by strangers?
More than 3 months old, does it run around the house on a daily basis or playpen at least 2-3 times a week?
*What is the family history?
*Ask to meet the Ferret's parents.
*Genetic defects? How are you breeding to avoid those defects? Breeders should be honest about the breed's strengths and weaknesses and knowledgeable about the genetic diseases that can affect their breed. You want someone who's up-front and knowledgeable about problems in the breed, and someone who's actively working to minimize them.
Ask about an health problems in the background of the kit or adult. At least the last 5 generations, not just the parents, grandparents, etc, but their litter mates as well.
What did they die of and how old were they when they developed the disease or condition?
Did they have any other health issues?
What other health problems have occurred in any of the ferrets bred by this breeder and at what ages?
*Information on the Kit /Adult
What shots have they had and at what age?
What are they eating, and have they been fed any raw or whole prey?
Has any of breeder's ferrets ever had a reaction to a vaccine?
*What sort of health guarantees does breeder offer? Your ferret may become ill within days of you bring it home, or ferret may manifest congenital health defects months or even years later.
What does the breeder guarantee in writing in reference to health and temperament and for how long?
Does the sales contract stipulate that the buyer can return the kit or adult within 1-2 weeks for a full refund or replacement if the temperament or personality is not satisfactory?
Does the contract stipulate breeder's rights? What are those rights?
*Recommendations? Ask the breeder for a couple references of ferret owners that they have sold within the past year. Call them. Find out if the breeder was fair, if they were happy with their ferret and how any problems were handled.
Talk to people and ask them about their ferrets. Everyone loves to talk about their ferrets. (Ferret clubs, ferret events, ferret forums)
*Do you like the breeder? Will you feel comfortable replying on this person as a resource to help you if you ever run into problems with your ferret? If you feel that the breeder is rude, ignorant, or disagreeable, look elsewhere to purchased your ferret. One of the advantages of buying from a breeder is the support and help they can offer you and your ferret.
Good luck in your search for a breeder and your new ferret.
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Post by ferretsgoboom on Nov 10, 2011 23:07:08 GMT -5
thank you winmister! im going to write this down and ask them every single one of these questions, i want a healthy well-breed fuzzy and im going to make sure i find one!!
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Post by Heather on Nov 10, 2011 23:26:04 GMT -5
Good luck, we will help you if we can but in cases like this, that list of questions will do you well. If your gut tells you to turn away....walk away. A breeder is someone you choose who will help you, guide you throughout the lifetime of your ferret ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2011 9:01:09 GMT -5
Here is something else to think about;
Reputable breeders usually show as a way of learning more about ferrets as well as to enhance their reputations and sales. Trophies do show that ferrets are of a high quality, but be leery of a breeder who takes more interest and pleasure in the trophy collection than the individual ferret.
One sign of a good breeder might be a discussion of how he or she works to improve upon the breed, rather than the brags of the wins.
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nanjferret
New member
Ferrets are people too!
Posts: 94
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Post by nanjferret on Nov 20, 2011 16:36:28 GMT -5
Things to consider with breeder ferrets and showing is realizing there is a definite preference towards a particular color and body type right now at the shows. Many of these ferrets come from very similar if not the same bloodlines as well. This is something that has become more prevalent in the last 5 or 6 years. It used to be you would see many different colors and types winning (and there are "types", a German ferret looks different than an Australian ferret etc.) which made it interesting. There also used to be three separate show systems with all three emphasizing different qualities for winning. Now there is one show system and all you see winning for the most part in the championship classes are the Blacks or the Black Roan Mitts. One of my boys did place second in the last show out here in adolescent championship class and another did win the Point class. For many years I took home Best in Shows for Breeder and Adolescent. I do not breed the particular lines and associated colors typically winning right now in the championship classes in the current show system. But I do breed lines that have a proven track record for good health etc. Knowing the lines I breed is much more important than changing just to win that trophy. I've shown for over fifteen years and have witnessed many changes in what is popular in the show ring. This doesn't mean I nor others are not breeding quality, correctly built ferrets. It just means that is where the politics are right now. So, take that list that Wenmister posted and ask questions. Just because a breeders ferrets are winning at the shows does not necessarily mean it is a better ferret. As far as the pricing, I also had not bred for several years so had put my prices this year at a lower amount to give myself room to be very picky about who I would agree to get one of my kits and to build up a client base again.
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