Picked up me 2 ferrets off a dog boy

[HawkMan]

Well guys ive picked up me ferrets today ,
Crackers they are i took me son and m8 up to get them.
When i got them home i tried that milk on the fingers and the swine bit me .lol
Ill just have to keep up the handling everyday .
Just a few questions i need to know
1) what age should i enter them to be hunting in warrens .
2) whats the best trick to stop them biting .
Thanks
Johnny

[Shaun Byrne]

Johnny, every time one of them goes to bite you, stick your finger in its mouth and hold it there until the ferret tries to spit it out. They soon go off the taste of finger.

[HawkMan]

Hawka ill try that m8 ,all im worried about is me kids getting bit ,should i do the handling till i feel they are ok ?
The man i got them off said they where tame do you think he set me up ?lol
Thanks
johnny

[HawkMan]

Another thing i noticed when i got them home i let the dogs sniff one of them and it screamed at me dog ,(was he putting his defence up ) ?
Thanks

[Jiff]

johnny don't forget mate these little things have been in the safety of theire hutch with the company of theire nest mates and mother,just take it easy with theire introduction to the outside world, at the minute jon they will probably have a nip at anything new infront of them,this is basicaly to see what it tastes like, as with our own kids when they see something they pick it up and put it in theire mouth, if you're kids are young just be carefull mate, just handle them regularly they'll soon stop niping, but don't forget if you play with them they may nip but this is them beimg playfull, you whant to aim at being able to approach pick up and fuss them without them reacting this should only take a day or so, best of luck mate, any probs just put it up and i'll do me best to help.

[HawkMan]

Top guy jiff thanks m8 ill just take it 1 day at a time ill do the handling until i feel they are tame enough ,What age would you sart hunting with them m8

[Jiff]

just let em do theire own thing for now mate they'll be ready for the season starting,don't worry.

[Darren]

put bitter apple on you fingers...that will stop them biting ur fingers

[Ben C]

Forcing your fingers in their mouths and using bitter substances may also lead them to associate your hand with annoyance. So when you come to pick em up out of a hole they may just back down. You have just got to be patient with them. Mine little one was a ******, so I used a leather glove (not a big falconers glove, a gardenrs one will be fine), and just got on with it, (be careful about pulling your hand away quickly because they start to think its a game). It comes from time and effort handling them. Now they are a silly tame, and follow me to a whistle. I lost em the other week and after about two hours they came scampering through the fence after whistling them every thirty minutes. Make sure you have a nice big run and just take em out for an hour a day, stroke em and pet em and put them in the run. Feed them bits of chick through the wire but only if they don't snap at you. :) :) :)

I never thought I'd like ferrets but these little animals work their socks of in winter and they are now a very important part of the team. I love them and am very proud of how they behave and work.

[Moritz]

We have got baby farrets at the moment and none of them bite as we handle them every day. If they do it is very easy. Hold them so that they can't move their haed. them give them a good flick on the nose and hold your finger infront of their mouth. They won't bite you again. Treat them as pets and they will be the best hunters, coz they just want to play with the rabbits. My ferrets always have got water and food. So they are not hungry when they go into the warren. Even if they kill down the warren they come up if I call them, sometimes even drag the dead rabbit out of the warren.

Moritz

[Sparrow Hawker]

1) what age should i enter them to be hunting in warrens .

Difficult to put an age on when to start them but they attain adult weight at around 17 weeks old so makes sense to start them when they have at least grown into adults.

All The Best,

HH

[Mr_Colin]

Is hunting instict for them or do you train them with a dummy bunny as you would a bird?

Sorry if this sound stupid but I dont know anything about ferrets and might want to get a couple one day to help the hunting.

[Ben C]

I am no expert but I have found it more or less instinctual with mine. Once they are past the biting stage you can use a dummy bunnie or even a rabbit carcass and 'play fight' with them. But leave them to calm down for a bit before picking them up or they will still carry on the game. Also I have a load of drainage pipes in their run, and you can pop them down that and then reward them at the end, but mostly they just zip through it fine. I started off with a 5 year old jill that knew the ropes and has now passed on her nice temprement to the other more 'youthful' jill. Now they are both settled the older one will probably only last one more season (retirement into a massive run), so I have another little 'runt' jill to introduce in the next few weeks. Hopefully these other two calm ones will pass on how to behave in the correct manner.


But be warned: They cost very little, but spaying them and locator collars cost a fortune. :) :) :)

[Mary Quite Contrary]

Treat them with respect and handle them nicely and they will do the same.


Ferrets are wonderful creatures and with time will start to communicate with you. They will chatter to you when you approach and love having a wrestle with your hands.


Try the egg and milk on your fingers and carry it on for a while. A gently tap on the nose will stop them biting and they catch on very quick. I wouldn't stick your fingers in there mouth as this will create a bad feeling.

One of my ferrets licks my hands to greet me and will lick my fingers covered in blood from a pheasants liver.

I never feed my rabbit ?

[HawkMan]

[So how do you train them to the whistle benc ,is it the same as a BOP knows a whistle to it means food ?quote="BenC"]Forcing your fingers in their mouths and using bitter substances may also lead them to associate your hand with annoyance. So when you come to pick em up out of a hole they may just back down. You have just got to be patient with them. Mine little one was a ******, so I used a leather glove (not a big falconers glove, a gardenrs one will be fine), and just got on with it, (be careful about pulling your hand away quickly because they start to think its a game). It comes from time and effort handling them. Now they are a silly tame, and follow me to a whistle. I lost em the other week and after about two hours they came scampering through the fence after whistling them every thirty minutes. Make sure you have a nice big run and just take em out for an hour a day, stroke em and pet em and put them in the run. Feed them bits of chick through the wire but only if they don't snap at you. :) :) :)

I never thought I'd like ferrets but these little animals work their socks of in winter and they are now a very important part of the team. I love them and am very proud of how they behave and work.[/quote]

[Ben C]

Well its sort of the same, but different because...........(now no jokes you *******s).......I suck rather than blow!!!! Basically its a different whistle to Cody's for the obvious reasons. Just call them before you feed em is the key. Talk to them (yeah yeah were the HAPPY people :) :) ) when you clean em out, and click, use your whistle, or make a noise that they always associate you with. Particularly petting and running around the house or garden. After a bit they will run into corners and play fight with you, particularly if you stand over them. They go all bristly and whiffle/grunt at you, go and hide, then come pelting out and grab your hand.

As with everything its about positive re-inforcement and play that turns into behaviour. Reward the good and ignore the bad. But I must say it has taken me a while, I bet Jiff, chuffpiece, and by the sounds of it Moritz have a few tricks up there sleeves. Dragging a rabbit to the surface is a fantastic achievement and shows an Incredably well trained ferret.

A basic rule of thumb is to put as much time and consideration into their well being as you would your RT. I know its difficult to imagine comparing them, but in the field you'll be surprised how much you will come to value them in the first year. And beyond hopefully. :)

Oh and get 'The Complete Guide to Ferrets' by James Mckay and Jackie Drakefords 'Rabbit Control'. If we had these at the start instead of a few weeks ago we would have sailed through!!! :) :)

[HawkMan]

Thanks benc and guys for all the help .
Ive just got me feret collar and reciever today its a Deben ferret finder ll
Looks the part just knowing how to use it now (Ian wileman was telling me last night when i picked the ferrets up that once it gets to a 1ft signal on the reciever to be careful not to dig as the ferret could be a inch oor twelve below you ?)
The kids have got the ferrets in the back now they,ve had them out since home time and no bites yet ,lol as long as it isnt me again ?only joking

[HawkMan]

Just a quick question lads what if i put cut up toilet roll in the bedding area will they use this to keep wram ?
As for chicks DOC should i de yoke them ?

[Ben C]

Probably chew the toilet paper mate.......mine have got (get this) A Ralph Lauren woolen jumper and a very expensive designer T-shirt. Both of which I shrunk in the wash!!! Total cost £200 (£170 jumper and £30 for the T-Shirt) Needless to say that was a 'were splitting up' day. :roll: Give em some old cloth shirts or trousers which can be changed and shaken out.

Just vary the diet, so DOC one day, Dried food the next etc etc. My pet theory is not to feed them rabbit too much or they are more likely to kill below ground, but an answer to that is they should be full and happy before you put em down the hole. :) :)

[HawkMan]

Ive read that aswell not to feed them rabbit m8 ,as for using designer gear m8 the only clothes ive got is overalls ,lol
I gave them a chick tonight and they where playoing tug of war with it ,me kids love them ,just that our jonathan needs to realise they are not toys ,but a lesson learnt .
Anyway they are fast asleep now and content .
Thanks anyway benc for the reply
Johnny

[Ian Wileman]

Yada Yada Yada.........You were given all the information you could wish for Johnny, both when we have been ferreting last season, AND when you picked up your ferrets last night. Dont answer any more of his questions lads, he doesnt listen anyway. DONT YOU DARE FLICK MY KITS ON THE NOSE ********!!! CRUEL AND UNNECESSARY!!!! The kits will be fine if you play with them, and you will now when to take them out in the season, cause I will tell you! Feed 'frankie ferret' ad lib, give them a chick each every other day and a weaner rat or adult mouse once a week and they will be bob on. Now, stop bothering everyone with your questions and buy a book you tight arse pikey!

[HawkMan]

Im not listening to you ya muppet ,
Why im asking these questions is to help other would be owners of ferrets aswell and if you think im taking your word as gospel you,ve got no chance ,pmsl
As for being a gypo so what me allotments better then yours ,lol
As long as me ferret finders better then yours thats all that counts ya skip rat ,lol
Thanks for the ferrets 40 pounds was a bargain m8 for 2 ?

[Jiff]

johnny don't feed too many chicks to you're ferrets,give them either a prepared dry diet (with plenty of water available) or feed them what ever is available free from the butcher, they shouldnt have a too rich diet and the feeding of day olds should be kept as a treat only,someone is going to disagree but believe me rely on day olds for food and you'll end up with less ferrets' "o" i forgot to tell you, generaly you will never see a sick ferret just a dead ferret, best wishes mate.

[Ian Wileman]

I feed chicks three times a week Jiff, and to be honest, along with rats, mice, dried ferret food, lambs mince, kitikat, an occassional hard boiled egg,my ferrets are doing very well. In fact, the babies I am getting rid off are exceptional. I should refer people to the ideas in other threads that DOC's are 'junk food.' Vets dont seem to think so. Anyway, each to their own I suppose.

[Ian Wileman]

as an added thought though.....imagine eating potato salad seven nights a week and nothing else........NOT GOOD!! So although I see no problem with feeding chicks as often as I do (the proof of the pudding I suppose - see the piccies of my stock - beautiful), it should never be the basis for any animals diet.

[HawkMan]

Ive seen his ferrets jiff they are top stock m8.
Ian thanks for giving me the ferrets m8 i was bladdered when i started the thread as a hard day in work needs loads of liquids ,lol (lager )
Ill keep me ferrets on a varied diet as i think this is the option most people take .
Came in tonight and shadow the dark one nipped me very hard ,lol
Might even start making me carry box tonight ?
Any way lads thanks for the help and opinions
All the best
Johnny

[Ian Wileman]

The ****ers name is NOT 'shadow' it is ****in 'Pikey' and 'Gypo'. I ****in named them especially for you Johnny you ungrateful *****-hawk

[HawkMan]

To be honest with you skip rat me son called the white one snowy and the dark one shadow ,as for you yoda ,lol
Theres no helping you ,lol
Go and keep on feeding your scruffy ferrets DOC every day ,i only took them off you as i thought i could give them a better life ,pmsl
On the head counts over the season ill win i have my to top ferrets now ,
Is the challenge on ?
How much on the wager

[Ian Wileman]

actually Johnnythong its 'two' top ferrets you knob jockey. Learn to spell rather than smell pikey!

[HawkMan]

The challenge is on rat boy ,
As for coming to dutton you can swivel m8
Im getting a night site soon so ill be doing some moon light hunting aswell ,
Who,s used these night scopes and whats the pros and cons on them ?
Might even poach your land yet and kill all your bunnies wileman

[HawkMan]

wileman you will hide ya muppet ,whats up never been challenged before on your hunting skills ,lol

[Ian Wileman]

Two things you need to know about the wise woman......

One....she is wise......
Two......she is a woman.........

Johnny, you have no idea where my land is, I dont take Pikeys on it. I on the other hand was at Dutton two night ago and killed two rabbits and two rats and had two cups of tea with the farmer. He said I could poach your land whenever I wanted 'two.' Learn to spell you dumb ****!

[HawkMan]

To be honest rat boy ,i was talking to eavel keneavel and he told me where it was ,as for the farmer i never talk to him m8 as he swings far to much to the right ,as for for having to cups with him are you sure it wasnt to pumps and a squirt ,you filthy man ill never go hunting with you again (SICKO )

[Darren]

dont start bringing me in to the fight Pikey boy

[HawkMan]

NA NA NA NA NA NA ,Whats up dog boy scared incase rat boy shouts at you ,get on with your work ya skip rat ,this is my and wilemans fight ,pmsl
Ive seen your land aswell so either ya shut it or im not making your box ?lol

[Darren]

nice land up here aint it....full of pheasent

[HawkMan]

Daz they are my pheasant m8 ,you made the mistake by taking me on your land m8 ,do you want that box making or what ,as for coming to dutton go and have some tea with wileman and the farmer and tellme how you get on ,lol
Get back to work ,
As fro having your ferrets they where that big ill make a 24x 20 box for ya ,lol only joking

[Darren]

yeah...Ian didnt give you ferrets he gave you 2 RATS....he glued some hairs onto the tails
Ur only jelous of my big champagne hob

[HawkMan]

champagne hob christ it looked like a corgi ya dog boy ,lol

[Dave G]

hi all mmm read your messages and training ferret with dummie bunnies this has puzzled me abit as to why ,as i wouldnt want my ferrets to catch rabbits just flush them out and work the holes well,so the way i train mine is buy some pipes and let the ferret get used to running down them also get the ferret used to being picked up when left the pipes as theres nothing worse than playing cat and mouse with a ferret that thinks your playing or is scared of your hands and shoots back down the hole !!! i always let my ferrets leave the mouth of the hole before picking them up,and if your feed them lots of rabbit then remember take your spade as you will more than likely have to dig them out lol,my aim is for them to work the holes not kill the smell off them is enough to flush the rabbits lol

[HawkMan]

Thanks for that red ,i aint going to feed me ferrets rabbit ,only mice rats doc and dry food m8 ,
So whats your red like hunting with the ferrets when your doing holes ?
I know im going off the subject but have you ever used a night scope ?
Where in the midlands are you ?
Thanks
Johnny Bravo

[Dave G]

nahhh never used a nite scope as we have electric where we live plus carnt sleep with the light on lol im from dudley

[HawkMan]

Dudley ! when me mum and dad traveled before we settled in england we had a stay at dudley before we got moved on ?I remember robbing fish out of a fisherie up there nice land though .we use to hook our caravan upto the local street lamps .

[Darren]

you thiefing poaching pikey git

[HawkMan]

Darren this was 20 years ago m8 im an english citizen now m8 im as much english as you my freind .
As for you id stay out of this 1 if you want me to make your carrying box and crawl back under your bike you crashed ya muppet ,brummmm brummm bbbbbbbbbaaaaaannnnnnng aaaaaaauuuuuuggggghhhhhhh.pmsl

[HawkMan]

What do you think upto now darren wooden box or pipe m8 ,the choice is ours ,im easy i can make anything i learnt joinery at the job seekers last year so we,ll be ok ,lol

[Darren]

i nice bow backed box would be better

[Ian Wileman]

Johnny's first attempt

[Ben C]

I like the floor :)

[Ian Wileman]

apparently he uses cellotape for the joints, and cut the pieces to size using a hammer. ROFPMSL

[Ben C]

Claw or Lump?

[Ian Wileman]

Sledge

[Ben C]

Only in winter mate, you know that!!!

[Ian Wileman]

not accordin to Johhny

[HawkMan]

What ya dissing me for ya pair of skip rats ,ian ive seen your box m8 and it was a bag of shote ,pmsl as for your mews i think its cruel on your poor birds ,as for you benc im going to punch ya head in at that barbie and spit roast you over the fire ya ,wait till ive made them and then make comment ,what is it teachers union ganging up on me ,lol

[Ben C]

PMSL...............

[HawkMan]

where,s ya side kick the human dwarf wileman ,ive just got in from work and find you pair of didi men making crude comments .
Ive been hung over the top of a roof all day 80ft up ,
Benc show us your box then ,not ya lunch box sounds dirty that (not meant ) lol

[Ben C]

I havn't got the camera mate......:) It got two compartments, a sliding lid and carry strap. Costs about £28 and will make a nice addition to the raffle mate. Probably not as good as your though :) :) I think its a little on the small side, but its going to be a good gift for the new owner.

[HawkMan]

Im the owner youve said i could have it ,im getting my solicitor onto this LIAR ( i cant believe you said i could have it and then make out its still in the raffle ,)Ever seen pulp fiction and the Gimp in the closet ,Be warned it could happen to you ,oh yes be warned ,pmsl