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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2012 23:15:41 GMT -5
I am trying to give my ferrets a really natural light cycle, so I don't really have any lamps in their room. This makes it slightly difficult to play with them since it is getting dark so much earlier now! Does anyone use any type of special light source that allows us humans to see, but not affect the ferrets cycle as much? PS. I am trying to follow the natural lighting as much as possible to potentially help prevent adrenal disease later in life I heard some things saying it helps! It helped them start to grow in their winter coat, so there is at least one benefit to it!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2012 23:19:14 GMT -5
I had read that red or orange lights were good for that a while back, but then recently someone said too much of even that was no good, so I try to only use it sparingly and play with them in the daytime.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2012 23:55:24 GMT -5
I use amber lighting, and only on at playtime dawn and dusk. Outdoor activities are also only dawn or dusk.
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Post by kpaz on Nov 14, 2012 0:03:58 GMT -5
what is the minimum requirement for natural light?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 0:05:28 GMT -5
ANother thing to keep in mind is that the number of hours of daylight varies depending latitude. Many ferrets live farther north - and I suspect genetic variation many affect "light tolerance" in ferrets.
I've been in Stockholm and Oslo in November....the sun is up for only a few hours per day.....and the brightest it gets is a "golden glow". Even Southern England sees a shorter day than many of us see that are closer to the equator.
That being said, it's still good keep artificial lighting to a minimum. Also, sleeping dens and dark hidey holes during the day are also a good idea. Ferrets are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dusk and dawn. They tend to sleep a lot during those bright hours of the day.
-jennifer
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 3:34:44 GMT -5
I have mainly just kept all the blinds open, and let in all the natural light. So they see when the sun rises and sets. I was just wondering if there is any specific type/colour of lighting that would be 'less bad' than regular lights. I still definitely plan on keeping all artificial light to a minimum
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 9:08:27 GMT -5
So should we keep even daylight out? Now I'm confused. I thought if they had only sunlight and moonlight (if there is any) at all times of day/night (keeping any artificial light including amber to a minimum) that would be good. Should I limit natural light as well? Very hard to have playtime in the dark!
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Post by Sherry on Nov 14, 2012 9:19:14 GMT -5
I thought if they had only sunlight and moonlight (if there is any) at all times of day/night (keeping any artificial light including amber to a minimum) that would be good. No, you're right with this. But they still need dark areas to get into for sleeping. Total dark increases melatonin in the body.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 9:28:09 GMT -5
I figure in about 18 hours of dark area sleep time with about 3 hours of vigorous play at dawn (around 7 am) and dusk (around 7 pm) I usually feed them after playtime, my fondest wish is to avoid or delay the onset of adrenal disease. I am trying to simulate complete darkness like they are underground in a burrow, as close to natural as possible.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 10:28:41 GMT -5
Phew! So if they have dens they will take care of the regulation of the natural light that they also need. Yeah, dusk I can do, but dawn? Notsomuch. I am NOT a morning person ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 11:03:39 GMT -5
LOL well the idea is flexible I suppose ;D I guess what is important is not exposing them to too much light, I even wait until dusk to take them outside (I admit I am obsessive when I set my mind to something LOL) Hubby refuses to do any of the ferret care because I am way too fussy LOL ;D
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Post by joan on Nov 14, 2012 11:54:22 GMT -5
I use amber lighting in the ferret room and the living room at night, which is supposed to affect the production of melatonin the least. They have natural daylight during daylight hours, plus access to their outdoor pen.
Another factor which has some degree of relevance is the temperature. There should be a difference between the day and night temps, as there would be in the wild, along with seasonal differences of temperature. Ferrets which are kept in the same temperature year round, especially when it's the same at night during the day, will be affected to varying degrees by this...and it does seem to have an effect on their coats, ie, shedding and growing a new coat at the proper times.
Intact ferrets would be affected the most by this, as the temperature, as well as the amount of light, has an effect on when they come in rut/heat. I've had jills start to come in heat and then stop (and the vulva regress) if there's a cold spell when the vulva first starts to swell. Once it warms up, the vulva starts swelling again.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 12:08:39 GMT -5
Well we had snow last week, then the next day it was 60F+ for the next few days. so everything's screwed up there lol
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Post by crazylady on Nov 14, 2012 14:38:52 GMT -5
I stick to natural daylight hours plus my guys have dark dark nest boxs to sleep in if there are no humans around they sleep most of the day ! only coming out to drink and poop but they eat at night in darkness once its getting dusk my guys are in lock down ( my ferret houses have windows and I open the door all day for them so they can see when it is light and coming in dark) yet they still revert to the sleep in dark areas during the day routine when light is available they also can sense temp changes as there is no heating in my ferret houses and judging by the thickness of winter coats already I would say look out england we are in for one stinking cold winter lol take care bye for now Bev
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2013 13:07:57 GMT -5
Ive started to put my guys on a light schedule: open drapes in the morning and keep the light on, then keep all lights off and blinds closed at sundown. I have to turn the light on for a bit here and there to clean litter boxes or whatever, but as soon as im done they go back to romping around in the dark. I also use a full spectrum bulb in my ferret room, I hear that mimics natural light. I live in s basement suite so I dont think they get enough light from the window alone. They have lots of hidey hole beds available allday as well. I dont know if this is the best way either, its trial and error for me.
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