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Post by ranchhand on Aug 30, 2008 0:54:03 GMT -5
Tomorrow, Lord willing, I will purchase my first ferret. I have researched ferrets excessively lately (Though I have been fascinated and researching them for the last 10 years). I will be using a modified large dog crate until it is litter box trained. The crate measures approximately 3ft L. X 2ft. W. X 2 ft, D. A partial second level will be added. I will be using the food the fert is currently on until it is settled end, at which time I will switch to a natural raw diet. I will also put my dog back on a raw diet at the same time. Due to the grievous circumstances following her last litter, I was no longer monetarily able to keep her on a raw diet. However I am now able to provide a wholesome diet to both my loving canine companion and my new carpetshark.
Any advice on providing a raw diet for ferrets, caging, behavior, anything would be greatly appreciated. Books do not compare to one on one conversation with people with first hand experience!
Caleb “Ranchhand”
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Aug 30, 2008 8:56:17 GMT -5
How are you going to make sure that the ferret will not be able to get out of the dog crate?? I ask only becuase I have two dog crates in my livingroom which is also the ferret play room and they run in and out of the dog crates (and not using the door  ). So you are going to have to make sure that the ferret will not be able to pass through te bars. Secondly, not sure if you are aware that your ferret will problay never be completly litter box trained. I have 13 ferrets, some almost always go in the litterboxes, some go when they are near one but dont seak it out, others almost never go in it but perfer to go near it. As far as the diet when you have the ferret and are ready for the switch go here holisticferret.proboards80.com/index.cgi?board=newbieand start a new thread with this filled out holisticferret.proboards80.com/index.cgi?board=newbie&action=display&thread=822and you will be given a mentor to help you through the switch. If you are getting a kit (baby ferret) then you should have almost no problems switching it. The one ferret that i purshaed from a petstore was switched to raw within 2 hours of bringing him home. I hope this helps with some answers other then that there will others around to help out and any other questions you may have please just ask Goo luck to you and your new fuzzie |
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Post by Heather on Aug 30, 2008 22:32:26 GMT -5
I second the dog crate thing....all my guys except for Attila (5lbs) can fit between the bars on the dog crates. I never leave the puppy in his crate if the fuzzbutts are out because he then becomes a sitting duck for heat-seeking carpetsharks who think it's a huge game to slide in bite the dog and slide out again. Nasty wee beasties.  At least when he's out and about he can move to get out of their way, so they don't try and drag him under the sofa. Litter box training....most of my guys if they're in a cage will hit the box...outside the cage (my guys free roam except at night), it's very much hit and miss. I sometimes think that it's easier to teach them when you only have one or two (I can't really remember what that's like ) If they've spent the day in their room, they get mad at me and deliberatly shove all the litter boxes into the center of the room and poop in the corners... ::)brats!! If that's a kit you're bringing in, switch him right away. Kits are so easy to switch over it's amazing. They're still at the stage where they have to taste and put everything in their mouths. I actually convinced our local pet store to feed their kits chicken wings and other small pieces of meat and bone....Hey Giuli...do I get credit for switching the babies The pet store can't get over how soft his coat is, and how little he smells compared to the kits that they've had before. Anyway, just my 2 pennies worth ciao |
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Post by ranchhand on Aug 30, 2008 23:34:42 GMT -5
Well, you can officially welcome me into your ranks. I purchased my first ferret today! He is a three-month-old champagne mitt with a colored blaze down his snout, and he weighs in at 2.75 pounds (thus he earned the name Samson)! He was the first to come up and sniff my hand, and he was also the largest. I was afraid that the staff were not being truthful about the age, even though everyone I asked told me the same, but I got a birth certificate stating that he is indeed three months old. I took a crate with me, because those boxes weren’t built for ferts, and sure enough before I had even checked out he was out of the box and on the counter. I held him and he put his head in my pocket. I got him home (three hours later) and put the final touches on his cage. I then let him survey his new home, and shortly there-after I let him out to play. He ran, and danced, and hopped, and leapt. Only then to lay down flat, and suddenly stampede towards me. The only problem is he is a bit nippy, but this will soon be remedied.
He did fit through the bars at the bottom of the crate, however I surrounded it with brick edging (the stuff that you put around trees) and he is effectively penned in. Thank you for the advice.
Well, I am on the road to ferret happiness!
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Post by suds on Aug 31, 2008 7:22:15 GMT -5
Congrats on your new addition !! 3 MONTHS OLD SHOULD BE PEACE OF CAKE TO SWITCH TO RAW/ WHOLE PREY lucky you  It seems normal for kits to be a bit nippy and he should grow out of it and learn proper manners quickly . |
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Post by Heather on Aug 31, 2008 10:43:46 GMT -5
Congratulations....you're well on your way to be hooked Kits are nippy, lots of handling, playing, loving and free roaming will cure that (oh and raw food, seems to cure the best of them in the long run). Oh the adventures you're in for Enjoy ciao |
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Post by Forum Administrator on Sept 1, 2008 22:46:25 GMT -5
Congrats. I just had to put MY Samson to sleep last month. Its cool to have a new Samson on the forum. Make me proud little dude! (little dude meaning samson, not you Caleb ) |
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