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Post by turningfert on Jan 31, 2011 2:09:25 GMT -5
I recently received a male ferret from a co-worker that she didn't want anymore. I thought this would be wonderful, since we already have a boy, and he has been waiting since June to have a playmate. The new ferret is not bigger than the old one, so is most likely less than a year old. Our "old" one should be a year by now. We have had him for a full 2 days now, and I just learned about this site yesterday. I promptly went out and bought 2 mice to see their reaction. The new ferret killed both after a half hour (he ate half of each later through the following 24 hours). Right as I was about to leave for work this afternoon, I looked into the cage to see the new ferret shaking our old ferret by the scruff, as if he was trying to break the neck. The abused ferret just laid flat and was taking it. After separating them and putting them both back down, he resumed grabbing and shaking him. I'm worried to even put them in the same cage now.  The "bad" one is locked up in the cage alone, and the old one is in the bathroom with food and water. I've never heard of a domestic-raised ferret attacking another one, and if anyone can offer me some advice, that'd be great. |
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Post by bibliophiliac on Jan 31, 2011 2:40:56 GMT -5
Did you separate them first and slowly introduce them? Ferrets can be somewhat territorial with other ferrets and if not properly introduced they can attack to kill.
Also, ferrets will fight to prove dominance, which the lesser dominant one will lay down and give in. Dominance fights can happen daily, depending on your ferrets' stubbornness.
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Post by Heather on Jan 31, 2011 2:54:31 GMT -5
To sound harsh....was there poop? or blood? If not let them sort it out. The more often you interfere the less likely they will become friends. As bibliophiliac has mentioned ferrets are territorial and they have a very specific hierarchy. Our domestic ferrets are kept in their perpetual kit stage, allowing them to have "siblings" live with them. If ferrets were to be like their ancestors (now this goes wayyyyyy back) the polecats they would be solitary, except to breed. It is rare that an attack is with the intent to kill (these fights are usually reserved to intact fuzzes) but I've seen some very serious attacks. Age has nothing to do with size. I have a 10 yr old fuzz who has all the appearance of a kit, she weighs in a 1 lb 2 oz. I have a 6 yr old female who weighs in at 2 lbs 14 oz. Size is irrelevant, the teeth will tell you more. I would only put the two together under supervised play at least to begin with, moving them in together once they've got a better track record. Good luck, keep us posted  ciao |
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Post by miamiferret2 on Jan 31, 2011 8:08:15 GMT -5
They need to establish a pecking order. The new ferret is an alpha (dominant) male. Introduce them slowly. About an hour a day then slowly increase. Give the new ferret treats when he's with your ferret so he associates him with good things. Put down a box of rice or something so they can dig together bond over something. It will take time. Some ferrets never truly get along.
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Post by goingpostal on Jan 31, 2011 9:40:48 GMT -5
Do you have two cages? I never put a new single one in with other ferrets, they would all take turns kicking his butt and dragging him around. Usually I just cage them in the same area, let them examine/smell but no contact, then slowly intro the new guy to my calmest/laid back ferret and go from there. It takes time, I had one who stood up for himself but constantly fought the other ferrets and he didn't settle in for probably 6 months. Another who was really scared and submissive and I had to be his defender for months (he pooped if they so much as looked at him funny) There's going to be scruffing and screeching no matter what. I had the best luck when I added a group of 3 males right with my 3 females but they had played together previously. Twice I added one more to a group of six and those were the hard ones.
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Post by Jackie on Jan 31, 2011 9:50:50 GMT -5
I definitely agree with what was stated already. A slow introduction is often less stressful - the more they can get aclimated to each other, the better chances you have of them getting along. Good luck and keep us updated on your two furbabies.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 31, 2011 10:08:43 GMT -5
And when they do have squabbles, and they will- let them sort themselves out. Like Heather said, if there is no blood, and no fear poops, dont' interfere. It will look really rough, but they need to do that to become friends. It sounds like the other one was submitting, so should be fine with slow intro's.
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Post by turningfert on Jan 31, 2011 10:14:50 GMT -5
Ok, thanks. We did leave them in the bathroom for a full day (larger space) to begin with, after watching them for an hour to make sure they were fine. That's why we thought they would be fine together. Another thing that I think irritates the new ferret, is that our old one looooves to play, and he keeps bugging the new one! I'll see if they get along better if they just play in the house for a while, that way they have a bigger space. I'm getting a second cage later this Thursday, had been planning on it.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 31, 2011 10:20:54 GMT -5
It does take time for them to sort themselves out. And frequently the dominance issues don't crop up right at the start, since they are all "OH- NEW FRIEND!!!!"  They are too distracted to fight then You can also start with a LOT of interaction from you with them. Towel rides, cat teaser toys, basically get them playing with YOU, and as a result, having fun TOGETHER. |
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The "bad" one is locked up in the cage alone, and the old one is in the bathroom with food and water. 
