Hey..

[Deleted]

So, after about 2 months of stalking the forum, one in preparation prior to collecting my baby Winston, the other as I realised I really didn't know half of what I thought I did after getting him, I decided I'd finally work up the courage to join and say hi.

I'm 21, from the UK. I've kept most domestics before, but not ferrets, and now I finally have the time and room for them, I went for it. I was looking for a pair from a breeder, but missed the season and could only find one lone boy, in a pet shop. 11 weeks when I bought him, making him 15 weeks now, and he was so d*mn cute I couldn't help but take him home.
I know questions go elsewhere, but while I'm on the topic, he seems happy enough and he's out playing most of the day, but if I decide to get him a friend how long can I leave it before introducing them will get difficult? What's my best option; he's not neutured and I have no plans to do so at least not for a while.. so would he get on okay with a spayed girl, even when in rut?

Looking in to which food to buy I stumbled on to some topics suggesting raw or whole food would be healthier, which led me here to research the idea and I was instantly sold on it. So my boy's raised on raw, with rat once a week and an occasional day old chick as a treat. He took to it so well, it was like there was no transition, I was so proud. =D He already feels softer and looks whiter, and smells a lot better. It's amazing.

Well, that's enough rambling from me (easily distracted >.< ).. but hi! I hope to be around for a while, and maybe one day even be helpful myself

[Sherry]

Hi, and welcome So glad you finally decided to join us! And congrats on your boy. I cannot believe you can buy an intact ferret from a pet store That is so wonderful! Our poor wee mites suffer through a pediatric spay/neuter at about 5 weeks of age. Along with the horrible "descenting" procedure that can leave them with permanent problems when done incorrectly
Anyway, so glad you decided to go raw/whole prey with him And yes, babies are SUCH an easy switch- literally "tummies with teeth" ;D
Please, feel free to browse, post, ask questions, etc. And if you've been lurking for a couple of months, you already know the prerequisite for this forum- PICTURES!!!!

[Sherry]

Oh, and no, he would likely not be ok with either sex, neutered or intact while in rut Best bet is likely to separate. Some do well, but that is not the norm.
And as for age during introduction? It all depends on the ferret. I've got some adults who love meeting other ferrets, although you will have some dominance issues(totally normal), and others who from the time they were young would not accept new ones.

[Deleted]

Okay, thanks. I guess I'll see how he goes on his own, if he'd need seperating half the time anyway. And if he seems to need a friend get him fixed after his first seasons over.. but we really do *always* have someone home for him to play with, and he's very people-friendly.

You'd be hard-pressed to find anything not intact in a pet store around here, they wouldn't pay out for it if they didn't have to. Causes some problems sometimes.. but it's nice in this case to know he hasn't been harmed. =)

Raw just makes more sense. And it's so easy, and fairly cheap with just him to feed. Only problem I had is organ meat - hates the stuff. But chop it small and mix in an egg yolk and he'll happily lap it up.

[Heather]

Hi and Congratulations on your wee boy. It is so wonderful that you've been able to purchase your wee one without damage (intact). Depending on their humour some intact fuzzes get along with each other better than others. If you're never planning on breeding perhaps looking into a Des implant might actually be simpler than doing the whole alter thing. We use it more for adrenal and hopefully the prevention of adrenal (we don't know this for sure yet) over here as most of our pet store fuzzes come not only altered at a rediculous age but descented too....poor wee mites. Please feel free to prowl around and check out the site. Everyone's friendly and we do love pics of the wee ones....please
ciao

[Deleted]

I was just reading about the Des implant on another thread actually ;D
Definitely something I'll be looking in to, incase he does get stroppy or too smelly in rut. I was avoiding neuturing because of what I'd heard about adrenal problems later, but if the Des is less likely to cause issues...

[xclairex]

Hey glassdoll, I'm in the UK too yey, welcome!! I'm currently in the process of introducing an intact male into a group of neutered males, you might want to check out my thread, I'm going to keep updating it so you will be able to read about any probs i have etc. I'm unable to get one of mine neutered due to medical issues so i'm looking into the implant as well- this is the reason I'm having to introduce him to my gang intact and see if there's any chance they will be able to live together.

Were abouts in the UK are you?

[Deleted]

Hi! Awesome, a lot of the info here (suppliers, certain medical stuff/risks) I can't use 'cos it's all US, it's nice to know there's other UK folk around I'm in West Yorkshire, you?
I saw your thread before I joined, I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it. Problem is I'm in a fairly small flat with flatmates, so I don't really have to space to keep a second hutch and seperate them =/ Can't wait until I can afford to get into somewhere bigger with a garden or a spare room just for the fuzzies =) But I'll be needing a decent job first..

[Deleted]

Welcome to the forum.

[katt]

Welcome and congrats! I haven't been as active as usual lately, but I have noticed you around. Nice to have you here!

[Deleted]

Hi there! Glad you decided to formally introduce yourself! Sounds like you have a raw natural