Breeder ferret ??

[goingpostal]

Just a couple questions for the breeders or owners of privately bred ferrets

Is it pretty common for breeders to bring kits to shows for pickup? I've seen it as an option a couple times on websites but I've never been to a show, wasn't sure how large they are or how many breeders attend them.

Can you fly ferrets? I understand no breeders ship, but there aren't any I've found within a reasonable distance of me. Closest seem to be OH or maybe MI but it would be a really long drive, we went 7 hours to adopt our 2nd dog so we have done it before, but seems like even the closer breeders would be a several day trip. But then there's vacc. issues I suppose...

Getting multiples? If I ever do get a breeder ferret, it's going to be costly, price of ferrets isn't bad, but the travel expense is probably going to be crazy, and spay/neuter I would expect to be $400 or so at my vet, going to check at our next appt. but I do know they do them. Anyways, point being, would be more economical, time and money wise to get more than one if possible.

I don't know, been drooling over breeder websites, definately not anytime soon, probably 2 years at the soonest, gotta pay off some bills and then save, save, save but trying to plan anyways.

Oh also was wondering about the ferret/polecat hybrids, can you keep them in a normal ferret business? Differences in them and regular ferrets? I'm intrigued by these, hadn't even heard of them until this forum.

[Sherry]

I don't have any myself, but I do know of several who have been picked up at shows. As for flying them- I really wouldn't, since they'd have to travel cargo in most cases. I think PetAir is now transporting ferrets, but don't quote me on that one.
As for the spay/neuter- you can always get either a holdback they've decided not to breed, or even a retired breeder. In most cases, the ferret has already been "fixed".

[taratee]

ive seen flying ferrets as an option but its expensive... like 300-500 bucks more

[goingpostal]

The picking up at a show has it's pros and cons I think, I mean it'd be awesome to go to a ferret show and meet people, see the fuzzes, likely easier to talk the b/f into as more of a "vacation" fun trip than just a long drive to turn around and come home.

On the other hand I don't get to meet all the breeders ferrets, see how they are really being kept, more time to interact than at a show.

I was thinking flying might be out, although depending on distance, maybe fly there and drive back. My parents winter vacation in the southern states and would likely be willing to meet me somewhere and bring me back home with ferret if I could time things right. Downside would be several day trip back, they usually don't travel long hours and break often.

Are there any ferret breeders in the MN,WI,SD,ND,IA area that I am missing?

[Sherry]

Try googling it. Not sure where they are.

[Deleted]

You could see if the breeder will allow you to get Deslorelin as an alternative to spay/neuter. From what I've read the dosage is different from adrenal treatment implants and they have both 2 year and 4 year contraceptive implants.

[goingpostal]

I'm not overly concerned about the neuter, just adding that in as part of a rather large amount I would need to save before getting a breeder ferret, an older, already fixed adult would be fine with me as well. I've tried searching for closer breeders but coming up empty.

[trippyferret]

My first breeder ferret, Bomber, was a retiree from GFX. I didn't have to pay as much for him, or have to have him fixed. She had him neutered before I picked him up. So that was great!
And I believe Julie will fly with her ferrets, but it will cost you quite a bit. Here's a quote from her website: "Enough people have asked us about airline shipping that we've decided to come up with a policy. Often someone who wants a GFX ferret lives far enough away that visting the ferretry or picking the kit up at a show isnt an option. We strongly encourage you to come to the ferretry or meet us at a show, but when that's not possible, we will consider bringing your ferret to you by air when possible. The cost for this service varies greatly, but is normally between $350 - $550. Air transport availability is limited by the weather conditions and is highly dependant on if I have time available to fly your ferret to you and if you live somewhere I want to go. If we talk with enough advance notice, it may be possible to adopt additional ferrets in distant locations and split shipping costs among adopters. Its a longshot, but it could happen.

GFX ferrets do not fly unattended under any circumstances."
If you haven't heard of GFX, here's her website: www.gfxferret.com. She breeds some awesome, beautiful fuzzes, but there are some other good ones out there. Not sure if they will fly them though!

[joan]

None of the ferrets which have been shipped to me had any adverse effects from it, either when shipped from a US breeder or two overseas breeders. The problem re shipping in the US is finding an airline which will accept ferrets.

To answer an earlier question, hybrids tend to be more athletic and more intelligent, so require much more ferret proofing as they are capable of getting almost any place they're determined to reach.. It depends on the age and personality of the hybrid as to whether they'll accept other ferrets. Most kits under 4 months will accept them, but that changes as they mature mentally and sexually. The hobs are generally more tolerant of unfamiliar ferrets than are the jills.

[Deleted]

Joan,
The part about girls not accepting other ferrets can be so true with even the non-hybrids - especiallly when jills are involved rather han sprites

I have to admit that my privately bred ferrets (also late alter) are much more "nuts" than my docile little Marshall's fuzzies were. In fact I didn't start calling ferrets "brats" until after I got the "breeder brats". They are still coming up with unbeleivable stuff at 6. I love every minute of their creative mischief. I can't even keep a phone in their room since the phone wire will be exposed - It's a old phone with a ringer....they love to pull the phone off the dresser to hear it crash and make the bell clang on the floor. The wire is even pull tight against the wall and taped. So, no phone for that room. Noe cords of any kind are exposed in their room. I love bratty ferrets

[Deleted]

I have a alpha jill in my business. It takes awhile to get a new ferret into my business of ferret.
My record is 6 months.

You know what that little B(*&H did to my DMK Kid. It was super bowl weekend. I had the kids all in the FN cage. Radar was having a sleep over with his new brother and sisters. I figure if anything happens then I can just break it up. No big deal.

I am watching the game and here comes Misty May into the living room and up on the couch she comes. Ok, where is everyone else. I get up to check on everyone. Here Radar O'Reilly eating his kibbles in the cage.
I noticed in his testicles area it was red and swollen....wait a minute. He's neutered move in close to check it out.

That's little witch.....bit him! Can we all say OUCH

He just eating way like nothing happen. Had to put him on some ice cubes and gave him some antibodies just in case of injection. Within 2 hours the swollen came down.

[Deleted]

You can pick up your private bred ferret at a show, typically not until Buckeye Bash (end of August), or at one of the fall shows.

I show regularly and know alot of the breeders, and what their stock is like. Breeders I highly reccomend are: Novel Beginnings, Planned Ferret Hood, GFX, HTF (but at this time she is taking a break from breeding). I would also consider adopting from JBF, SH, and FPWRC.
All of these breeders feed their ferrets raw and prey, ferrets are ADV neg, shots, pedigree, guarantee, ect... The above also micrchip (though not sure of JBF and SH, but think they do too)

Also alot depends on what color/pattern your looking for? each breeder specializes in different things. For example you want a nice black sable go to GFX, or if you want a Roan go to NB.


For a kit you will be paying about $250-$400 per kit. Then what ever amount it cost you to fix them. You could get a late alter (retired breeder). Thats often a great choice as they come fixed, you know exactly what they look like as adults, the breeder knows the personality and can pick a ferret that will best suite your family.

BTW if you adopt from one of those breeders, they often go to the AFA Chicago ferret show in the fall, and would be able to bring them there. If your seriously wanting a kit this season start checking in ASAP, alot of them have waiting lists so you want to get on that to get the kit you want.

[val66]

I would love to buy a kit (or adult!!) from a breeder in the future. I've definitely looked at all of those sites and I love it! At first I wanted a DEW..then a sable...then a roan! I can't decide, they're all pretty.

Anyway, I don't know if I would be able to buy a kit or retired adult ferret. Unfortunately, I live in California. I'm afraid to actually ask a breeder if they would sell me one, because I would hate for the answer to be no. So, for now, I can only dream. And love on the furbutt I have now, of course!!

[goingpostal]

Thanks for the info everyone! Wepamperpets that was really helpful especially. Color..I like the fancies, who doesn't, but I am more concerned with health and temperment than coat color, also would obviously prefer a ferret from a raw fed home. I'm just looking and researching at the moment, definately not getting a breeder ferret this year. Gotta get bills paid off first!

[Heather]

Not to stir the pot but the fancies have a poorer track record for good health. The original colours, sables and albinos are your healthier fuzzes, with sables running the best. There have been a number of issues cropping up with the fancies, silvers, DEWs and pandas having some huge health issues
ciao